Seattle Transportation, Waterfront, and Seattle Center Committee

Executive Summary

Seattle City Council's Transportation, Waterfront, and Seattle Center Committee convened for a consequential meeting addressing two major transportation initiatives: new 2024 levy programs and anti-displacement strategies for Sound Transit-impacted small businesses. Chair Rob Saka opened with notable traffic safety data—no reported fatal traffic incidents since the committee's immediate steps meeting—while acknowledging this represents only a short timeframe. The meeting's centerpiece was a community roundtable on anti-displacement strategies for West Seattle Link Extension, featuring directly impacted small business owners from North Delridge. Laurel Trujillo from Ounces Taproom and Erin Rubin from Mode Music shared their experiences navigating uncertainty around relocation support, with Rubin emphasizing the financial challenge of fronting relocation costs as a single mother business owner. Sound Transit announced significant project modifications aimed at cost savings and impact reduction, including elimination of the Avalon Station and realignment that would preserve the West Seattle Health Club and avoid displacing Jefferson Square's 40 businesses. These changes represent approximately $2.6 billion in cost savings while reducing displacement impacts by about 100 properties. King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda joined to advocate for additional support measures including protective rent, rights of first refusal for displaced businesses to return to completed transit-oriented development sites, and immediate funding relief during the uncertainty period.

Key Decisions & Actions

**Informational Items Only:** Both agenda items were briefings with no formal votes taken. **SDOT Levy Program Updates (Inf 2861):** Department presented implementation plans for three new Transportation Levy programs: Neighborhood-Initiated Safety Partnership Program ($39.5 million for 10+ community-driven projects), People Streets/Public Spaces program (capital investments for pedestrian spaces), and Low Pollution Neighborhoods ($8 million, with pilot areas announced as Lake City, Capitol Hill, and combined South Park/Georgetown). **Sound Transit Anti-Displacement Discussion (Inf 2862):** Roundtable discussion revealed ongoing challenges in business relocation support, with Sound Transit announcing design modifications to reduce impacts while maintaining commitment to West Seattle Link Extension completion.

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Notable Quotes

**Chair Rob Saka, on small business uncertainty:** "One business owner said something to me that has stuck, they told me, 'I can plan for change, I cannot plan for uncertainty.' That is the heart of the issue." **Laurel Trujillo, on financing gaps:** "My main ask is, where does the money come from? If I estimate my business taking $500,000 to relocate... where does that additional money come from?" **Erin Rubin, on upfront costs:** "I am a single mother business owner. I do not know many in my position that are able to take care of those costs up front." **Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, on preserving community assets:** "This is not only a place where people go for recreation, this is a place where people go to swim, the only swimming pool in the North Delridge corridor." **Chair Saka, on honoring past leadership:** "I am proud to stand on the shoulders of giants, who have paved the way and sacrifice so much to make my work easier, and when I say that, it is people like Councilmember McIver who have done the work."