Event Calendar
Media
This page provides support materials related to City of Seattle media events.
For questions, contact Aaron Pickus - Aaron.Pickus@seattle.gov
City receives national grant for emergency preparedness
Mayor Mike McGinn announced today that the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DoN) have been awarded $35,000 from the FEMA Community Resilience Innovation Challenge. The cash award will establish community emergency preparedness “Hubs” in selected P-Patch community gardens in southeast Seattle, in addition to providing training and outreach tools for gardeners and community members of diverse communities.
Read the press release - Acrobat PDF
Mayor and City Librarian launch "Books on Bikes" program
Mayor Mike McGinn and librarians from The Seattle Public Library are launching a pilot program, Books on Bikes, to bring Library services to popular community events via bike this summer.
Read the press release - Acrobat PDF
Mayor announces expansion of data-driven policing effort
Mayor Mike McGinn and Deputy Chief Nick Metz announced that new "Predictive Policing" software will be deployed in all five precincts, and asked community members to get involved by reporting crimes proactively.
Read the press release - Acrobat PDF
Predictive Policing map data sample document - Acrobat PDF
Dowload Images
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Mayor announces $500k investment in arts education
Today the Mayor announced that the city of Seattle will deepen their partnership with the school district to invest in arts education.
Investment dollars will ensure that every student in the Central Pathway of Seattle Public Schools receive a minimum of two hours per week of arts education programming, as well as support the purchase of instruments and other art supplies for classrooms. The Central Pathway, which consists of schools in and around Seattle’s Central District, was chosen due to strong existing partnerships with community-based arts education organizations. The eventual goal of the program is to expand the program each year until all students at Seattle Public Schools receive two hours per week of arts education programming by 2020.
Read the press release - Acrobat PDF
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 Sammy Tekle, Former Youngstown Student |
Mayor's Office launches Startup Seattle initiative to support local technology startup community growth
Mayor Mike McGinn and Councilmember Richard Conlin announced Startup Seattle today, an initiative designed to keep Seattle among the top global destinations for talented entrepreneurs. See the program description below for more information on the initiative.
Read the press release - Acrobat PDF
Read the full program description - Acrobat PDF
Visit startupseattle.com
Mayor Mike McGinn announces ‘million gallon challenge'
Mayor Mike McGinn announced today that he has directed City departments to build on earlier "green fleet" efforts to meet the challenge of cutting the City's annual use of petroleum-based fuels by 1 million gallons by 2020. Accomplishing this goal will require improving operational efficiencies, making investments in alternative-fuel infrastructure, and ramping up purchases of alternative vehicles.
Read the press release - Acrobat PDF
Dowload Images
 Mayor Mike McGinn |
 Chris Wiley, Green Fleets Manager |
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 Craig Kenworthy, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency |
Mayor announces outreach effort on gun violence
Today Mayor Mike McGinn announced an outreach effort to inspire conversation among the youth of Seattle about gun violence. The City of Seattle, with the support of Chihuly Studio and Schnitzer Steel is launching a contest called “Weapons to Words” that asks children in Seattle to come up with a short quotation on the subject of gun violence. Plaques made from metal upcycled from guns recovered from Seattle’s gun buyback program will feature quotes from Seattle students about what a violence-free future means to them.
Read the press release - Acrobat PDF
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Mayor announces changes to SPD recruitment policy
Mayor Mike McGinn today announced that as part of SPD 20/20: A Vision for the Future, new recruitment policies and outreach strategies have been adopted to encourage more diversity among Seattle Police Department officers.
Read the press release - Acrobat PDF
seattlepolicejobs.com
Minimum Hiring Standards
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Mayor updates public on School Road Safety Initiative
Mayor Mike McGinn today announced details of a new School Road Safety Initiative. First announced in McGinn’s State of the City address in February 2013, the School Road Safety Initiative will analyze conditions near Seattle schools and develop an action plan to make improvements to address road safety issues. A School Road Safety Task Force and agency partners have been assembled to advise the City in implementing the plan.
Read the press release - Acrobat PDF
View the list of task force members - Acrobat PDF
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Seattle Central Foundation Launches Major New Education Initiative
Today Mayor Mike McGinn and Seattle Central President Paul Killpatrick joined Seattle Central Foundation Director Adam Nance to announce a bold new initiative to eliminate financial need as a barrier to paying tuition for anyone who wants to pursue a higher education in the city of Seattle. The program, entitled the Seattle Promise, will eventually pay the full tuition costs for every student at Seattle Central Community College who demonstrates financial need, enrolls full time and maintains a 3.0 GPA.
Read the press release - Acrobat PDF
Dowload an overview of the Seattle Promise - Acrobat PDF
Watch a video of Mayor McGinn explaining the Seattle Promise - Acrobat PDF
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 Adam Nance, Director, Seattle Central Foundation |
 Mayor Mike McGinn |
 Mayor Mike McGinn |
 Dr. Paul Killpatrick, SCCC President |
 Varin Keokitvan, Farestart Head Chef |
 Najwa Alsheikh, SCCC Student Council President |
City of Seattle Reopens King Street Station’s Main Waiting Room
Completing King Street Station’s major public space renovation and seismic retrofit, the City of Seattle has officially reopened the station’s main waiting room. Mayor Mike McGinn and other distinguished guests officially reopened the waiting room to public use by ceremonially relighting its grand chandelier.
Read the press release - Acrobat PDF
Mayor announces national police reform expert as new OPA director
Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn has announced that after an extensive search process, he has nominated a new director of the Office of Professional Accountability, the office responsible for investigating complaints about police misconduct. The new director, Pierce Murphy, has served as the city of Boise's Community Ombudsman since 1999, successfully implementing a long-term plan to restore public trust and build stronger connections between community and police.
Read the press release - Acrobat PDF
Download Pierce Murphy's résumé -
Acrobat PDF
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 Mayor McGinn |
 Pierce Murphy |
Seattle's 4th of July fireworks announcement
Mayor Mike McGinn, the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Seafair announce Seattle's annual Lake Union 4th of July fireworks celebration is on in 2013 with a new funding strategy, producer and business and community support.
Read the press release - Acrobat PDF
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New coalition of regional leaders formed to oppose coal exports
Leaders of city governments and tribal nations across the Pacific Northwest today announced the formation of a new coalition to oppose coal trains and coal exports. The Leadership Alliance Against Coal will work together to raise awareness about the damaging economic, cultural, and health impacts of coal trains and coal exports, as well as take action to protect their communities.
Read the press release - Acrobat PDF
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 Mayor McGinn |
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 Mayor McGinn |
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Mayor launches Seattle Ambassador Program
Mayor Mike McGinn, the Seattle International Foundation, World Affairs Council, One America, and other community stakeholders launch the Seattle Ambassador Program. Seattle Ambassador will highlight the Seattle region as a world hub of global development work, engage local community members in that work, and offer residents the chance to win an all expense paid trip overseas to see local nonprofits in action.
Press Kit - Acrobat PDF
Seattle Ambassador Program logo - PNG
Mayor announces availability of child care assistance
Mayor Mike McGinn has announced the availability of assistance for high-quality child care assistance from the City of Seattle for low- or moderate-income parents who are working or enrolled in job training. Currently, the City has more than 300 slots available for child care subsidies.
Press Release - Acrobat PDF
Mayor advances plans for new Ship Canal crossing, new University District to South Lake Union transit corridor
Mayor McGinn announced today that he has proposed funding to advance plans to study a new crossing of the Ship Canal and a high capacity transit corridor from downtown to the University District via South Lake Union and Eastlake. The City Council had previously approved funding to begin study of the University District to South Lake Union corridor project in 2014. McGinn is proposing in a supplemental budget request to advance that study to this year and begin the Ship Canal Crossing study this year in order to help ensure both projects can be eligible for competitive federal grants and other funding sources.
Press Release - Acrobat PDF
Two Transit Studies: Ship Canal Crossing Study, University District to South Lake Union Transit Study - Acrobat PDF
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 Ben Schiendelman |
 Mayor McGinn |
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 Craig Benjamin |
Chief Diaz announces his retirement, interim chief appointed
Seattle Police Chief John Diaz announced his retirement today after 36 years in law enforcement, 33 of those years as a member of the Seattle Police Department.
Assistant Chief Jim Pugel of the Criminal Investigations Bureau will be the acting Interim Chief upon Chief Diaz’s departure at the end of May.
Press Release - Acrobat PDF
Brief summary of tenure of Chief John Diaz - Acrobat PDF
Rainier Beach Green Upgrades
Mayor McGinn attends a press conference on green updates for Rainier Beach High School.
Center City Roundtable Announces Legislative Effort
Today Mayor Mike McGinn and members of the Center City Roundtable urged the state legislature to prioritize policies and funding to support human services and public safety. The Roundtable was founded as part of the Mayor’s Center City Initiative, with representatives from the human services community, business leaders, neighborhood groups, the Court system, the City Attorney’s Office and other stakeholders interested in public safety in downtown neighborhoods.
Press Release - Acrobat PDF
Center City Roundtable Letter to Legislative Leaders - Acrobat PDF
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 Mayor Mike McGinn |
 Kate Joncas, DSA |
 Lisa Daugaard, Defenders Association |
 Tom Norwalk, Visit Seattle |
Update on Pre-Paid Parking Program
Mayor Mike McGinn, the Seattle Police Department and members of Seattle’s nightlife community give an update on our pre-paid parking program, part of the Seattle Nightlife Initiative and the Road Safety Action Plan.
Details on Paid Parking Hours on the SDOT site
Seattle Nightlife Initiative
Press Release - Acrobat PDF
Download Images
 Mayor Mike McGinn |
 Jerry Everard, Owner of Spitfire |
Mayor Mike McGinn, Police Chief John Diaz and Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams hold a press conference at City Hall to discuss the March 8 shooting.
Mayor Mike McGinn, Superintendent Banda, President Young and Chancellor Wakefield urge 7th and 8th Grade students to sign up for College Bound Scholarship
Mayor Mike McGinn, Superintendent Banda, President Young and Chancellor Wakefield urge 7th and 8th Grade students to sign up for College Bound Scholarship.
The College Bound Scholarship promises tuition at public institution rates and a small book allowance for income-eligible students residing in Washington State.
Press Release - Acrobat PDF
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 UW Student Speaker, Hamda Yusaf, Chief Sealth Graduate |
Mayor details new goal in Seattle’s stormwater management
Mayor McGinn today announced a new goal for managing Seattle’s stormwater runoff by detailing a new effort where polluted runoff will be increasingly managed using natural drainage systems rather than traditional pipe and tank systems.
Press Release - Acrobat PDF
Executive Order 2013-01 - Acrobat PDF
Site Summary - NE 55th Street and Ravenna Blvd NE - Acrobat PDF
Green Stormwater Infrastructure - 2025 Goal - Acrobat PDF
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City investigating allegations of improper payment of wages to construction workers
The Seattle Police Department announced today it is conducting an active criminal investigation into allegations of improper payment and treatment of workers at affordable housing construction projects that have received City funding.
Press Release - Acrobat PDF
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 Hilary Stern, Casa Latina |
 Rick Hooper, Office of Housing Director |
 Harry Hoffman, Housing Development Consortium |
 Mayor Mike McGinn |
Westlake Play Area Dedication
Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) partnered to create a new Westlake Children’s Play Area. The goal of the project is to help make downtown more family and kid-friendly by providing this small play space for children who live and visit Downtown. Westlake Play Space is a two year pilot project aimed at providing a safe and fun place for young children to play while Downtown.
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Mayor McGinn introduces new “Predictive Policing” software
Mayor Mike McGinn and Police Chief John Diaz announced today that new "Predictive Policing" software has been deployed in the East and Southwest Precincts. The software was designed by the University of California, Los Angeles in partnership with the Los Angeles Police Department. It has been used by police departments all over the nation to reduce crime through deep analysis of crime and location data.
Press Release - Acrobat PDF
Download Images
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 Police Chief John Diaz |
 Mayor Mike McGinn |
Marine Week Coming to Seattle in 2013
The United States Marine Corps will partner with the city of Seattle, Wash., to bring Marine Week to the Emerald City Aug. 5-11. Marine Week is a celebration of community, country and Corps, and provides the unique experience to directly connect the American public and their Marines.
Press Release - Acrobat PDF
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 Lt. General Steven Hummer |
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 Lt. General Steven Hummer |
 Mayor Mike McGinn |
Mayor provides update on affordable housing in Seattle
Mayor Mike McGinn today provided an update on affordable housing in Seattle, including a plan to guide the City’s work in promoting new housing, including affordable housing. McGinn also announced the creation of a new advisory group to review the City’s affordable housing incentive programs.
Seattle Housing Strategy Update - Acrobat PDF
Seattle Housing Strategy Presentation - PPTX
Mayor delivers State of the City speech, focuses on recovering local economy, plans for the future
Mayor Mike McGinn today delivered his 2013 State of the City address in Seattle City Council Chambers. He detailed indicators of a recovering local economy, building great neighborhoods, new efforts to improve early learning in Seattle, a plan to update the Neighborhood Policing Plan and work to build out Seattle's rail transit network. He also announced that Gigabit Squared has expanded its initial plans to build next generation high-speed broadband to now include West Seattle and Ballard, bringing the total number of demonstration projects to 14.
Press Release - Acrobat PDF
Read the text of the speech as prepared - Acrobat PDF
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 Mayor Mike McGinn |
 Mayor Mike McGinn |
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 Mayor Mike McGinn and Councilmember Licata |
 Mayor Mike McGinn, Councilmember Conlin, & Councilmember Rasmussen |
Mayor updates public on progress of 20/20 Initiative
Mayor Mike McGinn and the SPD 20/20 team have provided an update to the public on the progress of 20/20 implementation. The mayor has also announced new civilian appointments to the Firearms Review Board, which reviews each discharge of a firearm by a Seattle police officer and makes disciplinary recommendations.
Press Release - Acrobat PDF
Download the SPD 20/20 Status Update - Acrobat PDF
View Presentations
Initiative # 1 - Modernize Demonstration Management - Acrobat PDF
Initiative # 4 - Train Officers on Use of Force Standards Consistent with Seattle Values - Acrobat PDF
Initiative # 5 - Search & Seizure Training - Acrobat PDF
Initiative # 9 - Improve Review of Uses of Force - Acrobat PDF
Initiative # 11 - Recruit Great Officers - Acrobat PDF
Initiative # 19 - Community Outreach - Acrobat PDF
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 Mayor Mike McGinn |
 Assistant Chief Mike Sanford |
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 Mayor Mike McGinn |
 Mayor Mike McGinn |
 Mayor Mike McGinn |
Mayor, SDOT Director give update on the Action Agenda Report
Mayor McGinn and Seattle Department of Transportation Director Peter Hahn update the press on the city of Seattle's Transportation Action Agenda and cover new initiatives for 2013.
Press Release - Acrobat PDF
SDOT Action Agenda
Progress Report - Acrobat PDF
Download Images
 Mayor Mike McGinn |
Mayor announces $1.6 million investment in neighborhood business districts
Today Mayor Mike McGinn joined neighborhood business district leaders and local business owners at Maya's Mexican Restaurant in Seattle's Rainier Beach business district to announce a $1.6 million investment in 17 neighborhood business districts as part of the Seattle Jobs Plan.
Press Release - Acrobat PDF
Better, Faster, Reliable Transit in Center City Seattle
The purpose of the open house was to share the broad goals of the project and hear from you. Mayor Mike McGinn and Councilmembers Tom Rasmussen and Richard Conlin gave brief remarks followed by a short presentation and workshop. Exhibit boards were up throughout the open house and staff will be available to answer questions.
Read more on the SDOT blog
Download copies of the Exhibit boards from the open house -Acrobat PDF
Mayor and County Councilmember Dunn announce anti-trafficking campaign
Mayor Mike McGinn and King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn today unveiled a campaign to raise awareness of human trafficking taking place in our community. They were joined by representatives from Clear Channel Outdoor, who donated $94,000 in advertising space, and Clear Channel Entertainment+Media, who donated $88,000 of air time for anti-trafficking public service announcements.
Press Release - Acrobat PDF
View the English/Vietnamese version of billboard - Acrobat PDF
View the English/Korean version of billboard - Acrobat PDF
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 King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn |
 Mayor Mike McGinn |
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716 guns collected at first gun buyback event
Saturday’s gun buyback event collected 716 guns in less than four hours, and handed out $68,000 in gift cards. Mayor Mike McGinn, King County Executive Dow Constantine, Seattle-King County Public Health Director Dr. David Fleming, and Deputy Chief Nick Metz of the Seattle Police Department briefed members of the media this morning on the results of the gun buyback operation.
Press Release - Acrobat PDF
ArtPlace Announces Capitol Hill Neighborhood as One of Nation's “Top Art Places”
ArtPlace announced “America’s Most Animated Arts Places,” a list of 30 neighborhoods across the country that are particularly vibrant and arts-driven. ArtPlace’s mission is to provide concrete, real-world examples that will get people excited about creative placemaking, and show that art can drive vibrancy and lead to economic development. The announcement was accompanied by a 35-page report with profiles of the Top 12 Most Animated Arts Places, of which the Pike/Pine Corridor was included.
Press Release - Acrobat PDF
Signing of Council Resolution 31423
Mayor Mike McGinn has signed Council Resolution 31423, concurring in support of the passage of the Seattle School District’s Proposition 1 Operations Levy and Proposition 2 Building Excellence IV Capital Levy.
View a copy of the signed resolution - Acrobat PDF
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 Mayor McGinn |
Mayor Announces 2013 Families and Education Levy Summer Learning Grant Recipients
The 2011 Families and Education Levy will provide substantial funding for summer learning programs at all grade levels: $17.2 million over 7 years. This is the first time the Levy has included significant funds for summer programs.
Press Release - Acrobat PDF
2013 Summer Learning Recipient Program Summaries -
Acrobat PDF
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 Students Pablo and Abigail with Mayor McGinn |
 Students Pablo and Abigail |
 Parent Zaneta McQuarter |
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Mayor appoints members to Community Police Commission
Mayor Mike McGinn today announced his appointments to the new Community Police Commission. The Community Police Commission is a partnership between the police department, its officers, community members and public officials. The broad role of the Commission is to support the development of reforms, establishment of police priorities and mechanisms to promote community confidence in the Seattle Police Department.
Press Release - Acrobat PDF
Commission Member Biographies -
Acrobat PDF
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 Mayor Mike McGinn |
 Lisa Daugaard, Co-Chair |
 Diane Narasaki, Co-Chair |
 Mayor Mike McGinn |
Seattle-King County Gun Safety Initiative
Mayor Mike McGinn, King County Executive Dow Constantine, the Seattle Police Department, the Seattle Police Foundation, the King County Sheriff, former Seattle Mayors, Mount Zion Baptist Church, Director of Public Health – Seattle & King County Dr. David Fleming, Café Racer owner Kurt Geissel, and other community leaders launch the Seattle-King County Gun Safety Initiative, a new gun buy back effort in Seattle and the surrounding region.
Press Release - Acrobat PDF
Seattle-King County Gun Safety Initiative - Frequently Asked Questions - Acrobat PDF
Gun Violence Fact Sheet - Acrobat PDF
Gun buyback program passes $100,000 mark as more community partners and sponsors join effort - Acrobat PDF
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 Rev. Aaron Williams, Mt Zion Baptist Church |
 Mayor Mike McGinn |
 King County Executive Dow Constantine |
 Mayor Charles Royer |
 Mayor Mike McGinn |
 Deputy Chief Metz, Seattle Police Department |
Celebrating Extended Library Hours
For the first time in at least a century, all locations of The Seattle Public Library will be
open on Sunday in 2013. Expanded operating hours are being funded by a levy approved by
voters in August.
Press Release - Acrobat PDF