Support the Neighborhood Center in Dravus / Interbay
Seattle City Council
1. Sign the petition for Interbay housing for all today by following the prompts below. Please join us in ensuring that Interbay can grow into a vibrant neighborhood where everyone has a place to call home. Let’s join together as neighbors to tell our City council that we support neighborhoods that are affordable, sustainable and inclusive. The petition below concerns advocacy for supporting housing opportunities in the Interbay / Dravus neighborhood.
2. Email the following members of City Council about your thoughts on allowing more opportunities for housing near Dravus. You are welcome to use the text of the petition in your email; please personalize this letter as you see fit, including adjusting the content and subject line to support your interests and priorities. Copy and paste these addresses: Robert.Kettle@seattle.gov, AlexisMercedes.Rinck@seattle.gov, sara.nelson@seattle.gov. They represent: Bob Kettle, D7; Alexis Mercedes Rinck, Position 8/Citywide; and Sara Nelson, Position 9/Citywide respectively.
2. Please consider attending and speaking at upcoming opportunities for public comment. The Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan is expected to cast final votes on the proposed Comprehensive Plan package in May or June 2025. This includes decisions on retaining the Montlake Neighborhood Center. The next public hearing is at City Hall, February 5th at 5:00 PM.
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Background:
We are the residents and neighbors of the Dravus Neighborhood Center and surrounding area. We are fighting for a neighborhood that meets all of the needs of our community.
State law requires the City of Seattle to develop a new growth strategy, also known as the Comprehensive Plan or One Seattle Plan. The Comprehensive Plan is a roadmap for where and how our city will grow and invest in our communities over the next 20 years and beyond. The plan allows for additional types of housing in neighborhoods that have historically been exclusively or primarily single family zoned. The proposed neighborhood center in Montlake would allow for increased opportunities for affordable and market-rate housing, though the needs of our community demand even greater upzoning.
The petition emails City Council member Bob Kettle who has jurisdiction over District 7 where this Center is located; it also emails the two at-large Seattle City Councilmembers, Alexis Mercedes Rinck and Sara Nelson. Anti-housing activists are lobbying elected officials to prevent this needed affordable housing from being allowed in our neighborhoods. Your voice is needed to fight back to affirm our commitment to the values of affordability, sustainability and inclusivity. We need to design a Seattle with all residents in mind and grow to meet the demands of our city. Seattle should be for all of us.
Sponsored by
To:
Seattle City Council
From:
[Your Name]
This petition is to let you know, Councilmebers, that we want and need more homes in Interbay near Dravus!
Many of us will be at council to tell our stories to you on February 5th at 5 PM at City Hall. Thanks for listening to those of us who want to welcome new neighbors and help existing folks stay in our communities.
Seattle is facing a housing affordability crisis due to many years of record levels of new residents mixed with under construction of new housing in the city. This year the city’s draft comprehensive plan, which determines how the city plans for growth over the next twenty years, includes a zoning update which will bring exciting changes along Dravus in Interbay.
The Neighborhood Center proposed in the Interbay / Dravus neighborhood would allow for more people to live within walking distance to the existing RapidRide D Line and the future Interbay Light Rail Station. It also is within walking distance to the QFC on 16th Ave W and several restaurants and local cafes. This is a fantastic community, with an exciting future, including a pickleball facility, Seattle Storm’s practice facility, and the local soccer club’s stadium!
This is also a rare neighborhood with unique industrial land and industrial businesses. Workers need housing options near these good middle-wage jobs.
A small but loud group of “not in our backyard” residents, however, are lobbying the Mayor’s office and the City Council to prevent needed housing across the city. Enough is enough. We need to plan for a Seattle that builds for all residents everywhere in the city. Thanks again for listening to us.