A little more than thirty years ago the City of Seattle
began using a process of evaluating the proposed
design of larger residential and commercial buildings.
The Design Review Program is described by the City
as “one of the tools we use to create a better city.”
The October, 2025 SPCC Newsletter outlined the
efforts to eliminate or curtail the design review
program. It was expected that public outreach for
discussion of new legislation would be soon
forthcoming. But not yet.

The broad outlines of the Harrell administration’s
proposal are known, but no specific legislative
proposal has been revealed. Of course, we now have
a new Mayor. The position of a mayor Wilson
administration has not been revealed. To learn of
upcoming developments, follow the Squire Park
Community Council website, and the website of the
Department of Construction and Inspection has a
page devoted to the topic. https://www.seattle.gov/
sdci/about-us/who-we-are/design-review.