Councilmember Jan Drago
DRAGO: MARCH 13 ELECTION MUST MOVE FORWARD
Councilmember wants Seattleites to express their opinion on a new elevated viaduct
SEATTLE- In response to all the tumult on the replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct in recent days, Councilmember Jan Drago, Chair of the Transportation Committee, was very clear about the best way forward today. Councilmember Drago said, “The people of Seattle must have a voice and a vote in the fate and the future of the waterfront. The best way for Seattle citizens to weigh in will be by casting their ballots on March 13.” Councilmember Drago expects a majority of her colleagues will support moving forward with the election. “I believe the Council will stand by its previous decision, ” said Councilmember Drago.
On January 19, the Council voted to put two advisory measures concerning the replacement of the Viaduct on a March 13 ballot. Governor Christine Gregoire and state legislative leaders demanded that the Council authorize a plebiscite on the choices to replace the Viaduct. The Council had previously voted three times that the Viaduct should be replaced with a tunnel along Seattle’s central waterfront. On February 13, Governor Gregoire and state legislative leaders said they would build a new elevated highway on Seattle’s waterfront. Since the Council structured the March 13 ballot to give Seattleites the widest number of choices for expressing their opinion, Seattle Advisory Ballot Measure Number Two asks voters whether or not they prefer an elevated replacement for the Viaduct. Councilmember Drago said, “Seattle cannot pass up this opportunity for a referendum on the state’s elevated highway proposal.”
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