Environment and Sustainability Archives

Mayor Harrell Proposes Legislation to Support the Conversion of Existing Buildings from Commercial to Residential Uses Citywide

March 14, 2024

Building on the City’s Office-to-Residential Conversion competition, the proposed legislation would support projects that transform existing infrastructure, repurposing vacant commercial property to residential uses. SEATTLE -As part of his Downtown Activation Plan, Mayor Bruce Harrell has submitted new legislation to the City Council aimed at removing regulatory barriers for converting existing buildings from commercial to residential uses. The proposed changes… [ Keep reading ]

Filed Under: Citywide Strategy, Economic Development, Environment and Sustainability, Housing and Homelessness, Office of the Mayor, Press Releases

As State Legislative Session Begins, Mayor Harrell Highlights Key Priorities for Seattle

January 8, 2024

Seattle – Today, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell shared key legislative priorities for his administration and the people of Seattle as the Washington State Legislature begins the 2024 session. Mayor Harrell is calling for bold action on critical public safety, behavioral health, and other priority issues that impact Seattle and cities… [ Keep reading ]

Filed Under: Economic Development, Education and Youth, Environment and Sustainability, Housing and Homelessness, Office of the Mayor, Press Releases, Public Health, Public Safety, Racial Equity and Social Justice, Transportation and Development

Mayor Harrell Signs Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS) Legislation into Law

December 13, 2023

Bold policy is one of the most impactful actions Seattle can take to reduce emissions, and follows significant stakeholder engagement and climate analysis Seattle – Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell signed the Seattle Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS) into law – a bold policy to address the climate crisis and create… [ Keep reading ]

Filed Under: Citywide Strategy, Environment and Sustainability

Mayor Bruce Harrell, Consul General of Japan honor Japanese history by unveiling commemorative plaque next to downtown’s new cherry blossom trees

December 6, 2023

The plaque shares the significance of the cherry blossom trees to Japanese people and Japanese Americans. Seattle – Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell joined the Consul-General of Japan in Seattle Iyori Makoto and downtown stakeholders to unveil a new commemorative plaque honoring Seattle’s ties to Japan next to eight new cherry… [ Keep reading ]

Filed Under: Environment and Sustainability, Transportation and Development

United States Environmental Protection Agency Awards $4 Million to City of Seattle for Solid Waste Infrastructure, Advancing Environmental Sustainability Efforts

November 16, 2023

SEATTLE –Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a $4,000,000 grant to the City of Seattle for a Solid Waste Infrastructure project. Funding for the grant comes from the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grant program, authorized by the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act and funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that invests $275 million for… [ Keep reading ]

Filed Under: Environment and Sustainability, Office of the Mayor

Mayor Harrell Transmits Updated Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS) Policy to Council

November 15, 2023

Bold policy proposal is one of the most impactful actions Seattle can take to reduce emissions, and follows significant stakeholder engagement and climate analysis Seattle – Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell transmitted legislation to the City Council for the Building Performance Emission Standard – a bold policy to address the climate… [ Keep reading ]

Filed Under: Environment and Sustainability

Seattle Selected as “Role Model City” for International Ecosystem Restoration Cohort

October 31, 2023

United Nations Environment Program’s Generation Restoration Collaboration Connects Cities to Improve Habitat SEATTLE – In recognition of efforts to support ecosystem restoration, the United Nations Environment Program selected the City of Seattle to participate in Generation Restoration, a collaborative initiative of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Seattle, which… [ Keep reading ]

Filed Under: Environment and Sustainability

City of Seattle and Port of Seattle Announce Visionary New Public–Private Partnership to Connect and Revitalize Parks on the Elliott Bay Waterfront

August 23, 2023

Private donation to fund proposed new greenway and improvements to Myrtle Edwards and Centennial Parks Friends of Waterfront Seattle also to receive gifts in support of Waterfront Park campaign SEATTLE – Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell joined Port of Seattle Commission President Sam Cho, philanthropist Melinda French Gates, Seattle City Council… [ Keep reading ]