 Growing Seattle Urban Farms: Applications Now Available |
 Seattle Farms is a pilot project to use land owned by the City of Seattle for commercial food production. This project is part of Seattle's Food Action Plan. The goals of this project are to address the need for more opportunities to grow and sell food in the city of Seattle, and to establish high-quality urban agriculture sites that use sustainable farming and business practices. If you are an individual, business, or organization who wants to lease an available parcel, download the application and instructions here.
Application deadline is December 10.
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City Releases Plan For Energy Savings in City Buildings
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 Building energy use accounts for 21% of Seattle's total carbon footprint and since most of the buildings that will shape the City in 2050 have already been built, reducing the impact of existing buildings is critically important to achieve carbon neutrality. As an owner of more than 650 buildings, totaling approximately 10 million square feet, the City of Seattle recognizes its own impact and leadership role. As such, in 2011, Mayor McGinn announced a goal to achieve 20% energy savings in municipal buildings by 2020. This Resource Conservation Management Plan outlines the actions necessary to meet the 20% energy efficiency goal by 2020 for existing buildings.
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| City Council Considers Bicycle Master Plan |
 A bikeable city is one where people of all ages and abilities ride bicycles for any trip purpose because it is a convenient, fun, safe, and healthy transportation option. Over the next 20 years, Seattle will add approximately 100,000 new people and jobs within the city limits. One way to accommodate this growth will be bicycle investments, done in conjunction with other transportation improvements, to improve the city's livability, affordability, public health, transportation choices, and economic competitiveness for all residents. The Bicycle Master Plan charts a path to these outcomes.
Upcoming Presentations & Dates:
- SDOT presentation and discussion with the Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board on Wednesday, December 4
- SDOT presentation to City Council Transportation Committee on Tuesday, December 10
- Special meeting of the City Council Transportation Committee on Wednesday, December 11, to take public input on the recommended plan
- Additional deliberations by City Council on the recommended plan will occur in early 2014; dates of subsequent meeting will be posted on the project website.
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| Public Meetings for Metro Service Reductions Happening Now |
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Starting in mid-2014, Metro won't have enough funds to maintain the current level of service. Metro service is funded mainly by sales tax and since 2008, the weak economy has caused a deep shortfall in Metro's sales tax revenue. Without new funding, Metro has no choice but to cut up to 600,000 annual hours of bus service to close the budget gap. The actual size of the reduction will depend on Metro's finances at the time reductions are approved. Metro is holding numerous public meetings throughout King County to take public comment on the proposed cuts. Seattle specific meetings are scheduled for December 3 at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, December 5th at North Seattle Community College, and December 10 at Union Station. More information here.
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