This levy, originally proposed in April 2024 with a $1.35 billion price tag, is intended to help the city pay for major infrastructure projects like transit improvements, sidewalk repairs, and bike lane extensions.
If approved by voters, it would replace the $930 million Levy to Move Seattle that expires at the end of this year.
Of course, $1.55 billion is quite a bit of money (it’s more than Beyonce’s net worth), so let’s break it down and talk about what this levy entails.
The nitty gritty
First, this operates essentially as a voter-approved property tax that would last for eight years. For property owners, this would increase their payments by approximately $0.65 per $1,000 of assessed value, with a maximum of $2.71 per $1,000. These payments will accumulate to ~$50.7 million annually that the city can then use to fund the aforementioned transportation projects.
What we get in return
There’s quite a bit on the list, but here are some general highlights:
$403 million for street maintenance — this includes repaving 15 major roadways and the ability to fill potholes in 72 hours
$221 million for bridge infrastructure and safety — the Ballard and Magnolia bridges have been named outright
$193 million in pedestrian safety — think crosswalks and traffic signals
$151 million for transit improvements — there’s a list of 160 “spot projects” that are intended to speed up transit + improve rider experience
$133.5 million for bicycle safety + network extension
Look for this proposal under the ballot measures section where it will be listed as City of Seattle Proposition No. 1.
Events
Events
Monday, Oct. 21
Sips & Ships: Viking Navigation | Monday, Oct. 21 | 7-8 p.m. | Skål Beer Hall | $12 | Learn how the Vikings navigated the oceans using the stars, whales, and the Viking Sunstone.
Tuesday, Oct. 22
National Geographic Live: Penguins of Antartica | Tuesday, Oct. 22 | 7:30 p.m. | Benaroya Hall | $27+ | Meet the penguins that inhabit one of the Earth’s harshest environments and the scientists that study them.
Wednesday, Oct. 23
October Tea Blending Workshop | Wednesday, Oct. 23 | 6-8 p.m. | Friday Afternoon Tea | $50 | Make a special cozy tea blend with notes of apple and pumpkin to take home with you.
Kitten Around: A pet-themed comedy show | Wednesday, Oct. 23 | 7 p.m. | Here - After | $15 | If you own a pet, you know how ridiculous those creatures can be.
Thursday, Oct. 24
Bike School: Fix-A-Flat | Thursday, Oct. 24 | 6-7:15 p.m. | Free Range Cycles | $56 | You don’t want to be caught on the trail with a flopper now do ya?
Haunted Factory Tour at Seattle Chocolate | Thursday, Oct. 24-Sunday, Oct. 27 | 5-8:45 p.m. | Seattle Chocolate Factory, Tukwila | $15+ | Uh oh — the Seattle Chocolate factory has been taken over by some dark forces and they need folks ages 8+ to help.
Sea-Tac Airport is piloting some new self-driving wheelchairs that take travelers where they need to go with just the push of a button. The wheelchairs, which started operation in August, include a baggage rack and sensors to detect obstacles. (Seattle Times)
Coming Soon
A new vegetarian Vietnamese restaurant is headed to Bellevue. Chay Concept is set to open at the Soma Towers with a variety of dishes like a pho roll and steamed lotus purple rice in December. (Downtown Bellevue Network)
Feel Good
A Marysville woman turned 110 recently — just six years younger than the oldest known living person in the world. Her birthday party featured miniature horses and lots of family. She attributes the key to a long life to little things like little meals, little animals, and little kids (like her great-grandchildren). (KING 5)
Transit
Wondering why the Sound Transit Light Rail trains started slowing so much near the UW station? There’s currently a damaged overhead power wire in the area that will be replaced in December. Until then, add about two minutes travel time while passing through the area. (Seattle Times)
Community
Chop chop — Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) Urban Forestry crews recently finished several overgrown vegetation clean-up projects around the city. You can check out all of the before and after photos on the department’s website.
Sports
Nice — the Seahawks had a rebound last night against the Falcons after a three-game losing streak. Hear from the local experts about what the Hawks did right with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Eat
Looking for something new to satisfy your sweet tooth? New Day Northwest met with Paola Velez, the author of new cookbook “Bodega Bakes,” to try out Velez’s recipe for Moringa-Soursop Swirl Cookies. Check them out.
Tech
Scammers’ tactics are increasingly sophisticated — OmniWatch offers a groundbreaking layer of identity protection (think: 24/7 monitoring, full-scale identity restoration, and up to $25,000 in scam insurance).*
Category
Seasonal
Let’s go, ghouls
This ethereal picture makes us feel certain that Space Needle has all of the secrets to what our future holds. | Photo by @fan.tp
It’s time for you to arise, Seattle creeps and crawlies, and celebrate the most haunting day of the year (aside from the day when we get that first 4 p.m. sunset).
Here’s where you can get to boo-gying for Halloween.
Boo Seattle 2024 | Friday, Oct. 25-Saturday, Oct. 26 | 9 p.m. | WAMU Theater | $150+ | Halloween becomes a rave at this two-day concert featuring beat-makers like Kaskade, Afrojack, and Cedric Gervais.
Barktober Fest 2024 | Saturday, Oct. 26 | 12-8 p.m. | Dog Yard Bar | $5+ | Dress the pup up for costume contests, treats, photo ops, and a fall draft beer list.
Zombie Walk | Saturday, Oct. 26 | 1:30-5:30 p.m. | Downtown Issaquah, Issaquah | $0+ | Get zombie-fied and ready to stalk the streets with hundreds of other undead.
