CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to Seattle Parks and Recreation; authorizing the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation to accept, for and on behalf of the City, certain donated improvements from the Seattle Parks Foundation for Westlake Park, identified as King County parcel number 197570-0175 at 401 Pine Street; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
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WHEREAS, the Seattle Parks Foundation, a non-profit organization, was created in 1999 to provide funds, project support, and advocacy to improve and expand Seattle’s parks and greenspaces; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to RCW 35.22.570 and 35A.11.040, the City’s legislative body has the power to accept grants; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor’s Downtown Activation Plan (DAP), announced in June 2023, outlines a plan to revitalize and transform Downtown Seattle as the city continues to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the City's 2025-2030 Adopted Capital Improvement Program (CIP) includes $1.4 million in 2025 and $2.3 million in 2026 of Real Estate Excise Tax proceeds to support revitalization of Westlake Plaza as part of the DAP; and
WHEREAS, the CIP lists possible uses for this funding, including removal of an out-of-commission fountain, removal of an inaccessible stage and accompanying arch, electrical system upgrades, and repairs to paving and trip hazards, among other investments; and
WHEREAS, the City Council on November 21, 2024, adopted the CIP in Ordinance 127156; and
WHEREAS, the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA), a Washington State nonprofit corporation, employs programming and events at Westlake Park through an Operations and Management Agreement with the City; and
WHEREAS, DSA wrote a letter to the Seattle City Council expressing support for these improvements; and
WHEREAS, in June 2026 Seattle will host major sporting events that are anticipated to bring thousands of visitors from around the world to Westlake Park’s central downtown location; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation is authorized to accept the improvements at Westlake Park from the Seattle Parks Foundation including but not limited to removal of an out-of-commission fountain, removal of an inaccessible stage and accompanying arch, electrical system upgrades, planters and site furnishings and repairs to paving and trip hazards.
Section 2. The City Council finds that the improvements:
A. Constitute a donation from the Seattle Parks Foundation;
B. Are contingent on the Seattle Parks Foundation raising sufficient funds to supplement the funds provided by the City pursuant to Ordinance 127156; and
C. Are consistent with the Council’s intent in authorizing funds for this purpose as part of the 2025-2030 Adopted Capital Improvement Program Budget.
Section 3. Any act consistent with the authority of this ordinance prior to its effective date is ratified and confirmed.
Section 4. This ordinance shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Sections 1.04.020 and 1.04.070.
Passed by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2025, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this ________ day of _________________________, 2025.
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President ____________ of the City Council
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Approved / |
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returned unsigned / |
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vetoed this _____ day of _________________, 2025. |
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Bruce A. Harrell, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2025.
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Scheereen Dedman, City Clerk
(Seal)