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MAY 2025

Madison Park Times Serving East-Central Seattle since 1983

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Hometown Heroes honored

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By Laura Marie Rivera Contributing Writer

Girmay Zahily celebrated the best of Seattle at his third annual Hometown Heroes event last month at the Paramount Theatre. Zahily was re-elected as Madison Park’s representative on the King County Council in 2023 and is now the Chair of King County Council. At this year’s celebration, he began by recognizing the many audience and community members that make the world a better place and continued to stress the need to acknowledge the people lifting others up instead of tearing them down. In the spirit of lifting others, Zahily would like to see King County lead the nation in economic mobility, safety, innovation and inclusivity. Citing his childhood, he says he has seen this firsthand. Zahilay was born in a refugee camp, and his family came to King County when he was just 3 years old. “This county gave us a second chance – public housing, strong public schools, a thriving private sector that provided jobs and opportunity.” He went from public housing to graduating from Stanford University, from

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King County Council Chair Girmay Zahilay pauses to take a selfie outside last month’s Hometown Heroes Awards.

Friends of Madison Park Update Spring is in the air! Friends of Madison Park volunteers have been hard at work planning events, projects and advocating for our neighborhood.

Bathhouse Renovation and Shoreline Restoration Project. Our regular Neighborhood Meeting on Tuesday, May 6 at 7 p.m. at the Bathhouse will focus this month on the Bathhouse and Beach Project. ■ Learn about the renovation project, share your ideas, and help us develop a shared vision for the Bathhouse and shoreline. ■ This is a pivotal moment in imagining what’s next for this beloved waterfront space – your voice matters! ■ Hear from expert teams at Signal Architects and Anchor QEA Landscape Architects as they answer questions, review past projects, and give an overview of the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Madison Park’s official appeal to the One

A Joyful Easter Egg Hunt on April 5

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Seattle Plan, along with all six appeals, was dismissed before the City Examiner in April. Undeterred, FoMP continues to be in discussions with the Mayor’s office, the Office of Planning and Community Development, Public Utilities and City Council Joy Hollingsworth. Among other actions taken, the Friends of Madison Park has updated the proposed One Seattle Plan for Madison Park with adjusted boundaries and zone designations for several residential blocks. Feedback is much appreciated, so please submit opinions in writing to City Council representative Joy Hollingsworth, the Office of Planning and Community Development, and/or the Mayor’s Office. Visit the Friends of Madison Park website friendsofmadisonpark.com for email templates and more information on how to make your voice heard.