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AUGUST 16, 2023
VOL. 104, NO. 33
Seattle mayor proposes legislation to combat rising vacant building violations
Community pitches in to transform graffiti at Queen Anne Christian Church into collaborative art project
By Rev. Annie Grogan Queen Anne Christian Church
Queen Anne Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is only a few blocks from one of the most beautiful views in Seattle, Kerry Park, so you would expect when walking around the neighborhood to see lovely homes and Rev. Annie gardens. Grogan However, just a few Commentary weeks ago on W Lee St. and 3rd Ave., you would have looked about and suddenly seen a large barren wall with remnants of graffiti. It struck me as an overpowering symbol of despair and lifelessness. When I walked up to the church in the fall for my interview to be the new Pastor of the congregation, it was the first thing I noticed and became one of my first areas of focus.
ABOUT THE CHURCH A couple things to know about our church: we’re an open and affirming congregation — in other words, we’re committed to openly welcoming and affirming of all gender identities and expressions, and sexual orientations. We house two neighborhood preART Page 4Æ
Rev. Annie Grogan
By Spencer Pauley | The Center Square
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell is proposing a new ordinance meant to improve security and management of vacant buildings in the city. According to Harrell's office, the number of complaints about vacant buildings in the city with safety or maintenance violations increased 25%, from 556 in 2021 to 694 in 2022. The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections has recorded an uptick in enforcement of violations at vacant buildings over the last few years. In 2021, 284 cases were reported. That number increased to 345 in 2022. Assuming that trend continues, city officials expect violation cases to exceed last year's total. Harrell’s proposal calls for strengthening the standards for securing vacant buildings by requiring them to have solid core doors, reinforced deadbolts, and in some cases polycarbonate sheets instead of plywood. The legislation would also require vacant buildings to be kept free of graffiti, mandate that any building that receives a violation notice to enter the vacant building monitoring program, simplify the process for police and fire referrals to vacant building monitoring, and authorize the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections to file a property lien to collect unpaid vacant building monitoring fees and abatement costs. “While we want to encourage new development and adaptive reuse of vacant buildings so that they do not fall derelict in the first place, these stronger standards will help us ensure that buildings left unoccupied are secured and maintained, along with efficiently inspected and monitored by the city so that they do not pose any dangers or hazards to neighbors and first responders,” BUILDINGS Page 4Æ
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