Serving Queen Anne & Magnolia Since 1919 www.QueenAnneNews.com
FEBRUARY 25, 2026
VOL. 107, NO. 9
Rain and All: Seattle Celebrates the Mayor Outlines First Winter by the Water Festival Priorities in First State of the City Address G Staff Report
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OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
eattle Mayor Katie Wilson delivered her first State of the City address Tuesday at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, using the speech to outline her administration’s approach to public safety, homelessness, affordability, and preparation for potential federal actions affecting Seattle residents. Wilson opened by thanking performers Northwest Tap Connection and emcee Ben Hunter, along with city, county and community leaders in attendance. She noted the Langston Hughes institute’s long history as a community cultural resource and said she chose the venue intentionally, tying it to a message of learning from history and building coalitions to solve current challenges. Wilson also referenced Black History Month, the start of Ramadan and Lent, and Lunar New Year. She said the city is in a period when rights feel under threat nationally and that looking to history can help Seattle understand what progress has required in past difficult moments. Citing organizer Mariame Kaba, Wilson said, “Hope is a discipline,” describing it as something that requires practice, cleareyed realism, and consistent effort. PUBLIC SAFETY AND GUN VIOLENCE Wilson acknowledged recent violence in Seattle, including the killing of two Rainier Beach High School students who were shot while waiting for a bus after school. She also referenced recent deadly shootings in the Chinatown International District and Pioneer Square. She said her administration coordinated quickly with Seattle Police Department and Seattle Public Schools to increase security presence during times when students and families travel to and from school. She said the city is implementing a stabilization plan through the end of the school year in partnership with community organizations and city departments, with the goal of reducing conflict and preventing retaliation.
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ray skies and steady drizzle set the scene Saturday for the inaugural Winter by the Water, and somehow, it couldn’t have been more perfect. Seattle showed up anyway. Hosted by Seafair in partnership with ExplorePNW and presented by the Downtown Seattle Association, the one-day waterfront festival made its debut February 21 along Alaskan Way, stretching between Pier 50 and Pier 66. Designed as a celebration of Seattle’s quieter season, residents were invited to rediscover the evolving waterfront through food, music, art, and a self-guided Passport Adventure. And yes — it rained. But as Emily Parkhurst, owner of ExplorePNW, noted with a smile, it felt very onbrand for the first Winter by the Water to arrive with classic Seattle drizzle. The damp air, low clouds, and glistening pavement only amplified the festival’s message: this city doesn’t wait for blue skies to gather. Throughout the day, festivalgoers collected passport stamps
DIXIN YAN
Laura Marie Rivera
Winter by the Water Festivalgoers gathered on the steps for the “Umbrella Uprising,” raising their branded umbrellas in a joyful show of Seattle spirit — rain and all. at curated stops featuring iconic waterfront bites, art experiences, public fire pits, and local businesses. Complimentary chowder, mini ice cream flights, and a pop-up oyster bar offered comfort against the chill, while indoor programming ensured the weather never dictated the mood. One of the highlights happened atop the Overlook Walk,
where organizers staged the “Umbrella Uprising” — a smiling group photo of attendees raising their branded umbrellas in unison. Both playful and symbolic, they served as a reminder that Seattleites don’t hide from the rain; they accessorize for it. Just before the photo op, the Dope Girl Movement energized the crowd with a powerful
dance performance, reinforcing the festival’s emphasis on community-driven cultural expression. The waterfront, often associated with summer tourism, felt reimagined — intimate, activated, and distinctly local.
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Councilmember Bob Kettle to Host Community Conversation on Comprehensive Plan and Neighborhood Priorities
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ueen Anne residents will have an opportunity to hear directly from City Councilmember Bob Kettle and ask questions about key neighborhood issues during a community conversation on Wednesday, March 4 at 7 p.m. Hosted at Aegis Living Queen Anne Rodgers Park, the event will focus primarily on the status of Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan legislation and what the proposed changes could mean specifically for Queen Anne. Organizers have asked Councilmember Kettle to provide an update on the city’s recently released “Centers and Corridors” proposal and accompanying zoning maps, developed by the Seattle Office of Planning and Community Development. The legislation builds on growth centers approved by the Seattle City Council in December and is now moving through the council for deliberation and public comment. A final vote is expected later this summer. PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
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SEATTLE, WA PERMIT 1271
In addition to the Comprehensive Plan update, Kettle has been invited to address broader priorities identified in a recent Community Sentiment Survey. Those concerns include public safety and homelessness, ongoing housing pressures, transit access, parks, schools, litter and neighborhood cleanliness, and a desire for practical, problem-solving leadership. The evening will begin with a briefing from the councilmember, followed by a question-and-answer session. Residents are encouraged to submit questions in advance to queenannecc@gmail.com. Following the formal program, which concludes at 8 p.m., attendees are invited to stay for an additional 30 minutes to meet members of the Queen Anne Community Council board, share concerns and ideas, and connect with neighbors. Thanks to Aegis Living, coffee, tea and cookies will be provided. The event will be held at: Aegis Living Queen Anne Rodgers Park 2900 3rd Ave. W., Seattle, WA 98119 Space is limited and advance registration is required. ADDITIONAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OFFICE HOURS Councilmember Kettle is also offering a series of Comprehensive Plan-specific
office hours throughout March and early April. Meetings will be held on a firstcome, first-served basis, with approximately 10 minutes allotted per constituent. Residents may attend whichever session best fits their schedule; district address is not determinative. Scheduled sessions include: • March 4, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Location TBD, likely The Shop by Porter, 1201 2nd Ave. #100 (entrance at 1st & Seneca) • March 18, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Queen Anne Coffee Co. patio • March 26, 5 to 7 p.m. – Magnolia Library meeting room • April 1, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. – KEXP • April 9, 3 to 5 p.m. – Queen Anne Library meeting room (hosted by Policy Director Brent Lo and District Director Rebecca Duran; Councilmember Kettle will not attend) As Seattle continues to debate how and where future growth will occur, these conversations offer residents an opportunity to better understand how proposed zoning changes and development policies could shape Queen Anne and surrounding neighborhoods in the years ahead.