Tim Burgess' City View

Keeping Downtown Neighborhoods Attractive and Strong

A couple of weeks ago, I attended a quiet little celebration that highlighted the new residents and new jobs that have sprung up and transformed the South Lake Union neighborhood. About a hundred neighborhood activists, representatives of the area's mega-developer Vulcan, business owners, urban planners, and others reflected on the ten-year conversion of a sleepy, somewhat run down area adjacent to downtown into a thriving, upbeat area with thousands of new residents and jobs.

Danny Westneat wrote about South Lake Union's success in last Sunday's Seattle Times, giving appropriate credit to former Mayor Greg Nickels for his vision and persistence in pushing forward the redevelopment of the area.  David Brewster posted an interesting historical perspective at Crosscut.com last Monday.  (Here's a link to the report that both Westneat and Brewster cite that summarizes what's happened in South Lake Union.)

Brewster, in his Crosscut piece, raises an interesting question about how the success of South Lake Union will impact the downtown core of Seattle.  Frankly, we would do well to accept Brewster's commentary as more of a challenge than a question. We dare not become complacent about our downtown, an area of multiple neighborhoods stretching from Lower Queen Anne to the International District and Pioneer Square and from South Lake Union to First Hill and the Central Waterfront.

An attractive and strong city center doesn't flourish on its own.  It takes determined work and a constant focus on things that matter, like the attractiveness of the pedestrian environment, crime and street disorder, quick and efficient transportation options, and strong businesses. (Continue after the jump for a list of key steps to maintaining an attractive and strong downtown . . .)

Angel Band Project Last Night in Ballard

Joleen and I went to the Tractor Tavern in Ballard last night for the debut of The Angel Band Project's CD honoring Teresa Butz and all victims of sexual assault. 

You may remember Teresa.  She and her partner were savagely attacked in their South Park home in July 2009.  Teresa did not survive, her partner did. 

And last night in Ballard Teresa's partner (who has requested anonymity) opened her heart to the packed house and sang.  It was powerful.  There was purpose and conviction in her voice.  She spoke and sang on behalf of women everywhere who are attacked, sexually assaulted, abused, often forgotten.  She gave them all a very strong voice.  The CD and last night's debut event benefit The Voices and Faces Project.  Buy the CD here.  Read a brief review of last night's performance at The Stranger.

Another example of Teresa's partner's strength is her recent testimony before the City Council supporting restoration of funding for the police department's victim advocates program, a personal liaison with the criminal justice system she continues to benefit from today as her attacker’s case winds through the courts.  You can listen to her testimony here.  The Council voted to restore all funding for the victim advocates and directed the police chief to place a higher priority on their services to victims and witnesses.

 

Nightlife in the City

One of the thorniest issues we struggle with in city government is how to encourage a lively and economically-successful nightlife scene while also protecting public safety and neighborhood tranquility.  It's not easy, but thankfully the vast majority of nightlife establishment owners and managers take their responsibilities seriously and do a good job of maintaining peace. 

Yesterday, the Council's public safety committee received a briefing from the City's Code Compliance Team.  Here are some key facts from the briefing.  (You can watch the whole briefing here.)

Building Community

I had an interesting experience last week when I brought together two very distinct, focused and important groups in our community: downtown business leaders and representatives of the music and nightlife industry that is thriving in Seattle.  It was a long overdue and hopefully continuing conversation. 

Read all about it here at Publicola.