Nickels Newsletter - December 2004

Welcome to the Nickels Newsletter!

Great things are happening all over Seattle. This newsletter is one way to let you know about our work to make a difference in people's lives. Each month, I'll recap some interesting issues and highlight some upcoming events.

Seattle is a great place to celebrate the winter holidays. The trees are lit, the sales are on, and the streets are filled with cheerful shoppers and families.

This is also the time of year when we reach out to friends, families, and those in need. If you would like to reach out by volunteering or donating, please visit http://www.seattle.gov/html/citizen/volunteer.htm for opportunities.

I wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season!

Sincerely,

GREG NICKELS
Mayor of Seattle

The Alaskan Way Tunnel
After two years of deliberation, research and public comment, we have decided to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a tunnel. On Monday, Dec. 6, I joined federal, state, and other local officials to announce the tunnel is the preferred alternative. The viaduct and the tunnel are both vulnerable to the next quake and must be replaced, and this presents us with a 100-year opportunity to reconnect Seattle to its waterfront and build a major piece of our 21st Century transportation network. To see a great simulation of what the tunnel will do for our waterfront, visit my website at www.seattle.gov/mayor.

Budget for 2005-2006 Moves City Forward
The Council's recent adoption of the budget represents agreement on the overall direction of the city as we move forward on economic recovery. The city is better off than it was three years ago. This budget makes progress on all four of the priorities I’ve set for the City -- improving public safety, economic opportunity for all, building strong families and healthy communities and getting Seattle moving. In 2005, I will be asking the Council to work with me to place particular emphasis on public safety.

To see details of my original budget proposal, please visit http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/issues/budget/

Celebrating Recycling
We celebrated America Recycles Day on Nov. 15 by unveiling a variety of new or enhanced recycling services for both residents and businesses in Seattle. We’ll now offer commercial food scrap collection, more frequent yard waste collection and new carts, new public recycling containers, and free curbside recycling for businesses. These new programs are a key step in re-establishing Seattle as a national leader in recycling. Recycling is important because it saves money, it’s good for the environment, and it’s a sustainable business practice that will keep us in business for years to come.

Spreading the Word About Fire Prevention
Seattle firefighters made the rounds of neighborhood libraries to read to children during "Firefighter Story Time," and spread the word about fire prevention and safety. I joined Fire Chief Dean at the central Library, and read to a rapt audience of Seattle preschool children. (Or as rapt as an audience of preschoolers can be.)
See more photos of the visit

Celebrating Rainier Valley
In Rainier Valley we celebrated the good works of the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund (RVCDF), established by the City of Seattle and Sound Transit to help ease the impact of the construction of light rail in southeast Seattle. We recognized seven businesses who used grants and loans from the RVCDF to relocate in Rainier Valley: Clayton VW Repair, Hillside Family Dentistry, Hoang Linh Restaurant, Kompact Vending, Lily Nails, Rainier Valley Chiropractic and the Refugees Social Development Resource Center. We hope to maximize and build on the millions of dollars that will be invested in this community for light rail construction. So far, the Community Development Fund has approved $4.7 million in grants and loans, and disbursed $2.5 million to help relocate 33 businesses impacted by light rail construction. The RVCDF is working to relocate another 17 businesses.
Watch a video of the event

Progress for Broadway
We're making progress in one of our most vibrant neighborhoods. The City Council just adopted my proposal for $60,000 in the City's 2005-2006 budget to help clean up Broadway and Pike/Pine. Also, at the end of October I met with business and community leaders to announce changes I'm proposing to Land Use regulations to help revitalize the Broadway business district and attract more investments. Earlier, at the request of the community, we proposed Broadway as an Alcohol Impact Area, which will result in restrictions to alcohol sales in the area. These are steps in the right direction to help restore vitality to this neighborhood.
Watch a video of the event

Forum for Seattle’s Young People
Because I believe we need fresh ideas and perspectives in city government, it was a privilege to appoint 25 Seattle high school students to the 2004-2005 Mayor’s Youth Council. I had great opportunities to find my civic passion when I was young and it is important to extend those opportunities to young people in Seattle today. The Council is a forum for our young people to engage with city leaders and influence government policies and practices. They, in turn, will strengthen their leadership skills. The Council held its first meeting in October, will meet with city officials twice a month, and hold a citywide Youth Town Hall in the spring of 2005.