Council News Release

Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Jan Drago

Seattle’s First Pedestrian Master Plan Unveiled

SEATTLE – Today the Seattle City Council’s Joint Pedestrian Safety and Transportation Committee got a look at the recommendations for Seattle’s first Pedestrian Master Plan.

The Pedestrian Master Plan Advisory Group, known as PMPAG, was convened soon after the Council created an Ad Hoc Pedestrian Safety Committee in January 2007. Their vision is that Seattle become a “walking city” and recognizes that as we grow, people will walk in ever-increasing numbers.

In PMPAG’s own words, “the plan:

• Cites the best of what Seattle has done thus far and encourages a continuing sense of pride in accomplishment;
• Demands respect and safety for pedestrians;
• Requires that pedestrian connections be made to and among parks, schools, transit, shops, civic spaces, work spaces, and other land uses;
• Encourages people to walk for their own benefit, for the life of the city, and for the good of the natural environment;
• Obligates all branches and sectors of city government to conduct their work with reference to the vision; and
• Names the public and private investment that will be necessary to meet the vision.”

“This is important and historic work for Seattle that we couldn’t have done without the leadership of PMPAG,” said Councilmember Drago. Councilmember Licata added “to be a “walking city” we must give our citizens a safe city; I am committed to finding the funding to implement this plan after the Council approves it.”

The City Council is scheduled to review and approve the plan in September and this review will include a public hearing on July 21, 2009. But before that, the immediate next steps include: an extensive number of presentations of the proposed plan’s contents to District and Community Council Meetings. There will also be a Launch Event featuring Mark Fenton on May 12. Mark Fenton is considered one the nation's foremost experts on walking and is the former editor of WALKING Magazine.

Council meetings are cablecast live on Seattle Channel 21 and Webcast live on the City Councils website at www.seattle.gov/council. Copies of legislation, archives of previous meetings, and news releases are available on www.seattle.gov/council. Questions about Council news releases can be directed to Kimberly Reason, Council Communications, at 206-684-8159, or by e-mail at kimberly.reason@seattle.gov.

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City Council