Nickels Newsletter - April 2005

Dear Friends,

Although we've had a few more rainy days and there's a little more snow in the mountains, we need to continue to be careful about the water we use. If you are planning a new garden - go ahead - just choose plants that are drought tolerant!

Still, no one has to shower with a buddy yet. By making smart choices about water use inside and outside the house, you can make a big difference without feeling a big pinch. Check out www.savingwater.org for a lot of great advice about rebates on water-smart products, easy ways to save water, and how and what to plant this summer.

We're also making a lot of progress on some important public safety issues. As you may know, the viaduct is such a vulnerable structure that it is closed every six months and studied for failures. At the end of March, engineers discovered the viaduct has moved for the fourth time since the Nisqually Earthquake. That is why I was especially happy to hear the state Senate put $2 billion aside for the viaduct replacement project, and the state House put aside $2.3 billion.

And as I promised in my State of the City address, we're also moving ahead on putting more cops on the street -- on April 5, I sent legislation to the Council that will fund 25 additional police officers, an average of five per precinct.

You can read about those initiatives and more throughout this newsletter. Have a great month!

Sincerely,


GREG NICKELS
Mayor of Seattle

Safeco consolidating headquarters in Seattle

More good news for Seattle ... after considering the benefits of consolidating in Redmond or Seattle, Safeco Corporation has decided to consolidate its corporate headquarters in Seattle's University District. This move will bring more than 1,600 additional jobs to the city and provide a tremendous economic boost to the University District neighborhood. It is a vote of confidence not only in Seattle, but also in all the hard work we've put into revitalizing this great neighborhood. Safeco never gave up on the University District and neither did we. To make room for the additional employees, the company plans to expand its current building to the south and construct a 125-foot tall building with a skybridge across Brooklyn Avenue Northeast. Nearly 3,200 people will work at the expanded headquarters.
Read the news release

Moving ahead on the viaduct

I'm pleased that in their proposed transportation budgets, the state Senate Transportation Committee included $2 billion for the replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, and the House Transportation Committee included $2.3 billion. This was particularly timely news given that recent tests by the state Department of Transportation show the viaduct has moved for the fourth time since the Nisqually earthquake in 2001. The viaduct plays a major role in sustaining our region's economy and maintaining our ability to travel through the Seattle region. Viaduct replacement is estimated to cost between $2.5 billion and $4.1 billion. I applaud Sen. Patty Murray for her support because we must have a state and federal partnership to get the job done. Funding to date includes $5 million from the City of Seattle, $177 million from the state gas tax package, and $8.5 million from federal sources.
Read the news release

Making progress on keeping our neighborhoods safe

Keeping my State of the City speech promise to add more cops to improve the safety of our neighborhoods, I sent legislation to the City Council to add 25 new officers to the Police Department ranks. Pending Council action, the new officers will begin nine months of training this spring, and be deployed among our five precincts -- North, East, West, Southeast and Southwest -- beginning next summer.
Read the news release

Investing in Southeast Seattle

After extensive involvement from community and business leaders, community-based organizations and public- and private-sector organizations in Southeast Seattle, it was gratifying to present my Action Agenda to bring additional investments for housing, jobs, education, arts and parks to this community. With unprecedented public investment in Southeast Seattle through the Sound Transit light rail line and the Seattle Housing Authority's NewHolly and Rainier Vista projects, as well as millions of dollars in City resources, we have created a rare opportunity to help shape the future of this vibrant and diverse community. The Agenda will guide revitalization efforts and target significant new resources to ensure current residents and businesses benefit from the profound changes taking place in Southeast Seattle.
Find out more about the agenda

Celebrating a new park at South Lake Union

It was a great spring day when we celebrated the announcement of Vulcan's donation pledge to help build South Lake Union Park. People of all ages came to celebrate including these future mariners.
Read the news release