Seattle Downtown Plan Focuses on Public Safety, Programming

The mayor issued a 12-point plan for improving safety, developing services for people struggling with addiction, and revitalizing downtown spaces.

1 minute read

April 18, 2023, 12:00 PM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


People walking on a sidewalk in front of the Seattle Art Museum, which have the hammering man and a skyscraper in the background, Washington, USA

TS Photographer / Downtown Seattle, Washington.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell unveiled a plan aimed at revitalizing the city’s downtown, stemming the drug crisis, and supporting small businesses.

According to an article by Donna Gordon Blankinship in Crosscut, Harrell “issued an executive order calling on police to play a more active role in disrupting drug sales, along with a plan to increase city spending on overdose prevention and response” and announced plans to “establish a new place for people to recover from non-fatal overdoses, get help with their addiction and access other resources.”

The mayor also wants to support activating downtown spaces with festivals and events and reopen City Hall Park with social programming. “Other plans include waiving street-use permit fees for food trucks and pop-up food vendors, and asking the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board to issue ‘sip ’n’ stroll’ permits for First Thursday Art Walks so people can carry beverages as they walk among galleries.”

Monday, April 17, 2023 in Crosscut

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

7 hours ago - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

June 15 - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

June 15 - The Washington Post