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"In our administration we are not going play small ball," Harrell said. "This is not the time for small ball. This is the time to be creative and bold." The last four years have seen plenty of small ball, delay, squabbling, and inaction.
theurbanist.org
Durkan Leaves Behind a Mess After Four Rudderless Years
Today is Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan’s final day in office and attention is turning to her legacy as she passes the baton to her ally and friend Bruce Harrell. Annual polls gauging the share o…
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The Urbanist
@UrbanistOrg
First question in media availability went to
@Omarisal
who asked him to outline his plan to provide opportunities to Black Seattleites. Harrell gave a lengthy answer touching on mentorship, education, and six figures jobs at the port.
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The Urbanist
@UrbanistOrg
Second question was on who will be his police chief. Harrell said he likes and respects Interim Chief Adrian Diaz and wants to give him a chance to win the job. But, after a trial period, he may launch a national search.
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The Urbanist
@UrbanistOrg
"Let's talk about progressive: I'm not sure what that means," Harrell said, mentioning he had most racially and culturally diverse team... "I ran on a progressive agenda," Harrell said. "When you talk about health care for all."
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The Urbanist
@UrbanistOrg
Mayor Harrell seems to bristle at labels and offered an olive branch saying he'd work with progressives. "My plea to people who self proclaim to be the progressives. Give me a chance. I'll work with you" he said.
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The Urbanist
@UrbanistOrg
Harrell declined to pledge an extension of the eviction moratorium saying he didn't have a yes or no answer yet. Moratorium expires Jan 15th. Said he is worried about vulnerable landlords, who may lose their house without rental income. Announcement in next week.
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The Urbanist
@UrbanistOrg
Last question was about how soon he expects to see results on homelessness. He said it would take some time to see results, but he and Deputy Mayor Tiffany Washington are working feverishly and are passionate about getting people housed.
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The Urbanist
@UrbanistOrg
Echoing Compassion Seattle language, Harrell promised 2,000 units of emergency housing in his first year. Mayor Durkan came far short of her first year promise of 1,000 tiny houses so it could be a tall task, esp. w/o raising new public revenue.
theurbanist.org
Durkan Is Botching Homelessness Policy and Blaming Journalists for the News
“My constituents are mad. All of Seattle is mad, and to be honest, I’m mad too,” Councilmember Tammy Morales said in a statement Friday. “If the Mayor is worried about risk or logistica…
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The Urbanist
@UrbanistOrg
Harrell said his Chief Operating Officer Marco Lowe, who brings experience as a small developer, an advocate with
@MBAKS_Voice
, and staffer in Nickels and McGinn admins, would lead that effort to expedite aff. housing construction.
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The Urbanist
@UrbanistOrg
When it comes to rezoning / Comp Plan update, Harrell said he would "look at opportunities to address every neighborhood and address the shortage of quality housing at every income level."
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