SPCC President Stefan Schachtell led the meeting.

Alex King and Anna Trevino presented and led a conversation regarding the Seattle Transit Measure, and later followed up with the following information. (UPDATE the measure passed.)
Additional information can be found on the following webpages: See presentation.

• Seattle Transit Measure Renewal Webpage for information on the STM Ballot Measure, including everything we shared on Sunday.
• Seattle Transit Measure webpage for information on the current Seattle Transit Measure, including copies of our annual reports
• Transit Advisory Board (TAB) Webpage has a list of members, upcoming meetings, and more about what they do as the public oversight committee of the STM.
• Here is a copy of our most recent STM Newsletter. To sign up to receive this monthly newsletter in the future, please visit this link and select the “Seattle Transit Measure” topic.

Two questions we promised to follow up on: 

• Who is the Cherry Hill MIMP Point of Contact at King County Metro (Asked by Claire Lane): Rocco Devito: rdevito@kingcounty.gov
• Further clarification on what the funding for City Support for Sount Transit 3 (avg. $6.1M per year) goes towards.
  • Background: The 2020 Seattle Transit Measure began funding Sound Transit 3 (ST3) staffing to support delivery of Sound Transit 3 projects in Seattle in 2025, including the West Seattle Link Extension, the Ballard Link Extension, and the Graham St infill station.
  • What is included in the Ballot Measure: If passed by voters, the STM Renewal would continue providing funding for city staff who will expedite permits and construction oversight to build light rail quickly and safely, while improving access to future stations including Graham Street and along Sound Transit’s West Seattle and Ballard Link Extension projects.
    • Up to 10 full-time dedicated staff for project management, planning, engineering, permitting, and environmental review, allowing the City to leverage Sound Transit partnership dollars
    • Planning and design of capital projects to improve access to the expanded light rail network for Seattle’s transit riders, such as sidewalks, improved crossings, pedestrian scale lighting, bike lanes and corrals, and improved bus stops
    • Coordination with Sound Transit to advance City and community priorities, including key racial equity outcomes to avoid disproportionate impacts and create benefit to all

Lauren Vorona and Cori Huang reported on the Garfield Emergency HUB. UPDATES coming.

This summer, neighbors established the Garfield Emergency Hub on the east side of Garfield High School, near the faculty parking lot. While the hub provides a physical meeting point, our best asset is in each other—neighbors helping neighbors. We’ve hosted info sessions on household preparedness, hub operations, and survival skills so we can all prepare.

• Please note: Hubs are volunteer-run coordination points—not shelters or supply stockpiles—and every neighbor has valuable skills, knowledge or resources to contribute. Stay in the loop by joining our mailing list: https://groups.google.com/g/garfieldhub
• check out the Seattle Emergency Hubs Calendar for upcoming city-wide events while we plan our next neighborhood event: https://seattleemergencyhubs.org/calendar
• and spread the word to your nearby neighbors about the hub.

Keith Tucker,  Founder of Cherry Street Farms, https://cherrystreetfarm.com/ and HipHopisGreen, https://hiphopisgreen.com shared a presentation and led a discussion with an emphasis on the programs for youth and reconnecting them to a long tradition of BIPOC farming. SPCC recommends contacting the farm for a tour.

The Cherry Street Farm and Lab is a project of the 501c3 nonprofit organization Hip Hop is Green. Over the last 15 years, the Youth Excellence Program has engaged thousands of Black, Indigenous, and other youth of color (BIPOC) ages 12 to 20 youth in trainings to build a sustainable future for all through traditional organic and innovative hydroponic farming methods This is a unique opportunity to showcase community-developed, innovative solutions for food security and food justice.

Claire Laine and Kathy Yasi, members of the IAC, reported on the Swedish Cherry Hill Implementation Advisory Committee (IAC) meeting on October 18. See Seattle Planning and Community Development Swedish Cherry Hill Page. SPCC attendees expressed disappointment with ongoing lack of clear communication regarding the future of the Swedish Cherry Hill MIMP. The IAC meeting on Wednesday, October 14 did not offer new clarification.

City Council Member Dionne Foster introduced herself and engaged with attendees. Helping to reduce the city attorney’s case backlog and addressing the history and acknowledging the  disparities and needed advocacy for fair treatment in the Central district and areas of South Seattle were among her highlights. She also noted the city’s acquisition of properties along E, Cherry between 26^th and 27^th for building permanently affordable housing, most of this will be affordable for purchase, along with her plan to put forward a budget proposal to invest one-time funding to partner with a national nonprofit to relieve medical debt incurred by those below 400% of the federal poverty level, or those whose medical debt exceeds 5% of their income. SPCC thanks Councilmember Foster and looks forward meeting again.  

SPCC questioned the plans for King County owned property between 12^th and 14^th Avenues on Spruce. Before the meeting the news had been that a 60 Unit tiny home village was planned. SPCC had contacted King County facilities for information as over 10 years ago King County had promised permanent affordable housing would be developed on what has remained vacant property.   King County facility representatives reported that an 80-home tiny house village was is being proposed. King County Councilmember Mosqueda attended to listen and indicated that she would advocate for more outreach to the community.

UPDATE Since then, it has been reported that the Low Income Housing Institute proposes to open an 80-home tiny house village on King County-owned land at 14th Avenue and East Spruce Street, in the first half of 2027. Since theproposal to spend money on temporary housing is part of the Executive’s proposed budget that will be considered by the County Council at hearings this month, the SPCC board approved a letter to the county acknowledging that tiny house villages often offer good temporary solutions for housing at many sites. However, given the history of this site, length of time, and past community planning, a permanent durable affordable housing development is more appropriate for this site and would better serve a greater number of people, along with the interests of the neighborhood. A copy of the letter will be shared.

We thank candidates Tatiana Brown, Rob Foxcurran, Sharon Tomiko Santos, Dominique Scarimbolo, and Kelabe Tewolde for attending and for their patience. We apologize to Rob Foxcurran and Dominique Scarimbolo who had to leave before they had a chance to present.