State of the City Address
Mayor Greg Nickels
February 3, 2003

Moving Forward on the Dreams of a Great City

Members of the City Council, honored guests, friends and family, citizens of Seattle, let me begin by taking note of our nation's sorrow.

The nation mourns the loss of the space shuttle Columbia and her crew of seven remarkable men and women. Their loss left us looking upwards, upwards to the skies from which they fell -- and to the stars to which, we as a nation of pioneers, will return again, and again and again.

Now let me turn to the State of the City.

Today I have the honor of delivering the last State of the City address in this chamber.

As the last mayor to do so, I'd like to take a moment to recognize the first. Let's recognize the mayor who opened the Seattle Municipal Building in 1962. Forty-one years later, he's here with us today. Please join me in a round of applause for Mayor Gordon Clinton.

I'd also say a few things about this room, these Council Chambers. This is the most important place in City Hall. This is the public's place. This room has witnessed dramatic debates, deliberations, demonstrations and decisions that shaped the city of today. If these walls could play back the sounds they have absorbed, they would roar with thousands of voices - a great city arguing with itself in search of its destiny and its own better self.

Let's look back to 1962.

Mayor Clinton opened this building during a time of profound change for our nation, our state, and our city. That year, Seattle opened a World's Fair.

The Century 21 Exposition symbolized a dream for a great city - it symbolized our hustle, our desire to move forward and get things done. It symbolized our place in the world and established our world leadership in a new source of jobs - and ushered in the jet-age. It imagined a transportation system that was convenient, flexible - and even fun. People had choices: bus, car, electric shuttle, the Sky Ride, and a Bubbleator. They loved a new thing called the Monorail.

As we reflect on the last State of the City speech in this building, we acknowledge our debt to Mayor Clinton and to many of his generation. They saw their moment and seized it.

So...let's...seize...ours.

Let us move forward on the dreams of a great city. Undaunted by the threat of war. Undaunted by the pain of recession. Undaunted by those who doubt that together we can achieve great goals.

Let us seize our moment, transform the city and put our people to work.

We have the instrument-the resources of government - to make a huge difference. Everything is in place. We have the partners and the ability. We have investors ready to go. We have the will to create good jobs and lay the foundation for better jobs in the future.

This year, we will do much more than close the doors on one City Hall and open another.

This year, we will act on fulfilling the dream of a transportation network that is convenient, flexible -- and yes, even fun. Seattle in 1962 focused on connecting itself to the world; now we will make progress on connecting our city to the region and our neighborhoods to each other.

We will make our neighborhoods better. We will remove choking regulations, revitalize neighborhoods that have been neglected or left behind -- Rainier Valley, the University District, South Lake Union and Northgate.

We will build community, heal wounds, and reach those who may feel isolated. We will make City government a more effective vehicle for the hopes for a better Seattle.

We will make a difference in people's lives.

The first year: A lot done, much more to do

We've done a lot in the last 12 months. We focused on basics. We took control of city finances. We put a focus on jobs and made City government a partner, not a problem for business. We expanded the City's leadership in protecting the environment.

People wanted accountability for basic problems.

Can you take care of potholes? We did.

Our neighborhoods have gotten dirty. Can you lead an effort to Clean Seattle? We did. We gathered 500 volunteers and removed 11 1/2 tons of trash from our neighborhoods.

Housing costs have created a crisis. Can Seattle do more for the poor and the lower-wage workers who need shelter? We did. The new Housing Levy will create 2,000 new units of affordable housing.

Can you renew confidence in City government? We did. But this isn't about government. It's about hope and sustaining the spirit that we can take on problems and solve them. By restoring a sense of momentum, of purpose, of direction to the City -- My friends, We Have Restored Confidence in Ourselves.

The work ahead

Much work remains unfinished, at home and throughout our nation.

Today, the nation stands on the threshold of war. Reservists are called into active duty. If there is war, many who work for the City will go to this war. They assume an awesome responsibility. The thoughts and prayers of our entire city are with them and we wish them a prompt and safe return home.

Reservists know well the threats to our nation's security. September 11th reminded us that our local fire, police, utility, health and public information workers also play a vital role in our security.

A year ago, I said that we would be ready for any threat or natural disaster. We would develop preparedness plans and drill, drill, drill. We're doing that. In May, two cities, Seattle and Chicago, will be the focus of a full-scale exercise involving the FBI and the highest levels of national government. The four-day Top Officials exercise will be a visible example of efforts to strengthen public safety against terrorism.

There's other news in keeping our public safe. This past year, we've reorganized the police department to give more authority and more resources to precinct commanders - not as much as I'd like during a recession, but a start we needed. In April, the City will open a new police precinct in Southwest Seattle. The commander of that precinct is here, and I'd like to introduce all of our Precinct commanders.

Please rise as I call your name:

Captain Jim Pryor, of the Southwest Precinct.
Captain Tom Byers, of the South Precinct.
Captain Fred Hill, of the East Precinct.
Captain Dan Oliver, of the North Precinct.
Captain Mike Sanford, of the West Precinct.

There's one more person I'd like to introduce, and ask him to stand and be recognized. Another leader in our protecting public safety, Fire Chief Gary Morris.

Another area of unfinished business is finance. This past year, we got back to basics and focused on core responsibilities. This year, we will work harder to find efficiencies, improve management, further unleash the potential of the city's outstanding workforce, and deliver value for taxpayers and customers.

A key area of that effort is Seattle City Light. Last week, I sent Superintendent Zarker's nomination to the City Council for re-confirmation. Under Gary's leadership, City Light weathered a difficult time when swindlers manipulated energy prices, forced utilities into bankruptcy and pushed large portions of California into darkness day after day.

In Seattle, Gary kept the lights on. He kept intact a foundation of our region's economy and worked to make it better. Now the question is how to position City Light for another century of service. The Council and I have identified ways to get that done, and there's no question that the right person to lead that effort is Gary Zarker.

We will continue work on economic development. We will make it easier for people to start and grow a business. I am pleased to announce today the person who job is to help businesses succeed. Our new Business Advocate, Kris Effertz, has a 20-year record helping businesses solve problems with government. She understands that my economic program can be boiled down to one word: jobs.

Next, we have to examine the Land Use Code.

"Code" is the right word because no one understands it.

Let me quote just one sentence in that massive document:

"The lot is or has been held in common ownership with a contiguous lot on or after the effective date of the ordinance from which this subsection derives and is not developed with all or part of a principal structure, provided, that no portion of the lot is required to meet the least restrictive of lot area, lot coverage, setback, or yard requirements which were in effect for a principal structure on the contiguous lot at the time of the construction of the principal structure, at the time of its subsequent additions, or which are in effect at the time of the development of the lot and provided further, that if any portion of the lot to be developed has been used to meet the parking requirement in effect for a principal structure on a contiguous lot, such parking requirement can and shall be legally met on the contiguous lot."

Does anybody understand what I just said? I don't!

I think it's clear that our code is not clear. This year, we begin a re-write of the code, starting with the commercial section. And yes, we will make it understandable. Overhauling that document will be a huge job, but we'll get it done.

I tell department heads, make our services to the public smarter, cheaper, better. Here's one more way we'll get that done. This week, I will sign an executive order to consolidate our permit process. We're going to move things faster. We'll do that by getting departments to talk to one another, coordinate their work, and issue permits on the timelines we've promised.

We're doing more to create jobs. But today, especially during a recession and a changing national mood, we need to work even harder to create opportunity.

Today a chill wind blows in this country. Inclusion of women and minorities is under attack. Initiative 200 took away tools to promote opportunity. A generation ago, the federal government sent troops to open doors to opportunity; now it sends lawyers to close them. I have a message for President Bush. We will not let those doors close. My administration will uphold the laws of the land and do all that we can to open every door of opportunity. That is a dream of this great city.

A year ago, I said we would give the Department of Neighborhoods a new mission - to begin a dialogue about race in our communities, to make sure city services are accessible to all the people.

We've begun that. I've issued an executive order to city department heads, instructing them to aggressively reach out to disadvantaged small businesses. I've made race and inclusion an element of my accountability agreements with all of the department directors.

We began a center to help small, minority-and women-owned businesses. The Department of Neighborhoods is taking the lead on reaching out to communities that have not felt part of the city before. We're making sure that investments in human services show results. This year, as we plan for renewal of the family and education levy, we will ensure that every dime we spend makes a difference. And that together, as a community, we will improve the performance of children of color in our public schools.

Moving Forward - Transportation

We will not let a recession slow progress on social justice. Nor will we let the recession slow progress on transportation.

Seattle is fed up with traffic congestion. We want more choices.

The public wants action, and this is a problem for which we will be accountable.

Let's move fast on the smaller projects, and move with relentless focus on bigger ones.

A year ago, I said we would do a better job of taking care of our streets, and we are. A year ago, I said we would do something about moving people through one of our most underutilized corridors, North Aurora Avenue. Today, we're announcing first steps to start the Aurora Bus Express to move people faster and more reliably on State Route 99.

This year, we will make decisions that guide the growth of transit for the next century and we will fulfill that dream from Century 21 - transportation choices that are fast, convenient, flexible -- and yes, even fun.

Some of our goals will take years to reach, but the people of this City have given us resources to do the job.

In the worst recession in 20 years, Seattle voted to protect funding for light rail. In the worst recession in 20 years, Seattle voted yes to the Monorail -- a new system that will connect Ballard and West Seattle to downtown.

So we will deliver.

Imagine arriving by streetcar from South Lake Union, by light rail from Sea-Tac, by monorail from Ballard, by water taxi from West Seattle or passenger ferry from Bremerton and connecting seamlessly to get to your destination - with no traffic jam to ruin your schedule.

Where would you create such a place? How about Westlake Center? King Street Station? Coleman Dock?

I want this City to commit itself to achieve the goal, before the decade's end, of creating hubs for Seattle citizens to connect to bus, light rail, monorail, passenger ferry and streetcar easily and seamlessly. Whether your choice is foot or ferry, bus, bike or rail, there will be a place for you in Seattle.

This is not a dream.

Today, Sen. Murray, Executive Sims and I announced that President Bush has included $75 million in his budget for light rail in Seattle. It is one of two highly recommended projects in the country.

We are moving forward.

Mayor Clinton, it took us 40 years to get moving on the Monorail, but now we have. For 40 years, people have asked about extending the Monorail to the rest of the city. Now we will.

Let's honor the citizens who pushed for that to happen. Today we have a guest who represents the grassroots and activist spirit that helped to make the Monorail possible. Dick Falkenbury will you please stand. Dick, I'm pleased to say that today, City Hall is a friend of the monorail. Dick, thank you for keeping the dream alive.

Thanks to the voters, we've begun to put in place two of the three elements of Seattle's 21st Century transportation network. The third element awaits action from the Legislature. We know we must replace the Viaduct, State Route 99. We know that structure and adjoining seawall are crumbling. Gribbles nibble the support system for the seawall. The Viaduct is seismically weak - it moved once during the Nisqually quake, and moved again last year.

The time to act is now. We need to continue planning and get to the point where we can green light construction. Seattle, despite its own severe revenue problems, put up $5 million - the only city to contribute money to fix a state highway. Now the state must put up $15 million. Delay puts our economy and public safety at risk. The Legislature must move before the Viaduct moves again.

The Viaduct and seawall are challenging problems but the opportunity is huge-how we act on the Viaduct and Seawall will shape Seattle's downtown for the next century. We will use this opportunity to reconnect the city to its waterfront. We will fix the Mercer Mess. The public wants action on transportation. The public wants accountability. I accept this responsibility. We will move forward and do what's right for this great city.

Moving forward - rebuilding Seattle's communities

Seattle dreams - and its leaders get the job done.

During Mayor Rice's administration, he saw the moment where we could work together and revitalize the downtown.

Downtown changed, for the better. Now Seattle is on the threshold of another major transformation - in its neighborhoods.

Seattle is about to see a major change in Pioneer Square, the Rainier Valley, the University District, South Lake Union and Northgate. Our role -- our moment to seize, is to put people to work and make this change as great as the spirit of this City. New investment, new transportation systems, common sense in land use rules - all this will help achieve the dreams we share for this city.

This is a basic responsibility of City government. So let's accept responsibility, show accountability, and do it right.

We will build new housing and welcome new businesses to Pioneer Square.

We will transform the Rainier Valley with light rail service and a $50 million investment in the community.

We will unleash the potential at Northgate, complete planning for a new library and community center, and create a great urban center. We will remove rules that have paralyzed Northgate Mall, choked a source of tax revenue, and denied residents of north Seattle a modern place to shop and play. We will make the Northgate urban center an attractive hub for jobs, housing, community events, businesses and recreation.

The U District will be rescued from its downward spiral. We will put more police on the Ave. We will join small businesses and residents, with Safeco and the University of Washington, to make the right investments. I will talk more about the U District next week but step one is removing the barriers to investment by the university. The lease lid makes no sense, either for the University, this city's largest employer, or the Ave. Let's do the right thing -- get rid of it.

In South Lake Union, we will seize the moment - this chance -- to build a great neighborhood that is accessible to all. We will build a streetcar that links the neighborhood to the city and links the Westlake transit hub to a new waterfront park.

South Lake Union will be home to thousands of new jobs in biotechnology and life sciences. The people who work there will earn good wages. They will cure disease and save lives. Cities around the world would love to have these jobs. Let's work to create them here. By saying yes, we create jobs today, we create opportunity for women and people of color. We lay the foundation of even greater opportunities in the future.

Some may resist this change but Mayor Clinton can remind us that some even resisted the World's Fair.

Twenty years from now, let it be said that this City - home to people whose ideas and hustle changed the nation, home to the Boeing 707, Microsoft's MS-DOS, Craig McCaw's wireless telephone, let it be said that this City will make great advances in life sciences. People from our neighborhoods will cure cancer and other dreaded diseases.

We can seize this moment, and we will.

Conclusion

It starts with the simple things. Government must fill potholes on time before it can be trusted to build a monorail. Economic Development doesn't start at Wall Street but on the Ave. Security begins not at the Pentagon but at a police precinct. It is from these simple notions that the Spirit of a city slowly takes hold.

That spirit has always made Seattle great.

City government is an instrument to create change, to lead, to accomplish great things that match the spirit of our city.

What will we say a year from now, when this building is rubble, and we stand in a new City Hall?

How will we have acted to move forward on the dreams of a great city?

The answer is right before us. Everything's ready. We have the direction, we have the resources, and we have the spirit to do great things for Seattle.

Members of the council, the people want action. We have a direction and an agenda. I ask the council, and the citizens of Seattle, to join me and get things done.

We are not just moving into a new building. We are moving forward on the dreams of a great city.

Mayor Clinton, your generation seized its moment, and made a great City better.

We will seize this moment and make a difference in people's lives.

Thank you and May God bless our home, Seattle.