The final phases of the Reimagine Magnolia Village project will break ground starting the first week of November. Contractor delays have been challenging over the last four months, but streetscape improvements are ready to begin. If you would like to learn more, please click here.
Streetscape improvement activities will occur for the next two weeks on 33rd Ave. W, between McGraw St and Lynn Street. The back-in-only parking on the west side of Uptown Espresso’s building is anticipated to be temporarily disrupted from Nov. 6th through Nov. 17th, depending on the weather. Parallel parking will be available following streetscape improvement construction.
The following two weeks, Nov. 20th to Dec. 1st, will focus on the streetscape and sidewalk safety improvements on 32nd Ave. W and McGraw St. W in front of and along the U.S. Bank building. Again, schedules may be delayed due to weather. Any temporary parking disruptions will be limited to the daytime hours.
The project will be finalized in January 2024 by completing streetscape safety and beautification activities on 32nd Ave. W, north to Smith St. and immediately south of McGraw St. W. adjacent to Mainspring Wealth Advisors. Business access will be open during Phase V construction and installation activities. However, parking may be disrupted in different areas along the east side of 32nd Ave. W, but limited to the daylight hours and dependent partly on weather.
November 3, 2023. Thank you to everyone who participated in and voted for the Magnolia Chamber of Commerce’s first-ever Halloween Pet Costume Contest held during Halloween in the Village on October 31st. We welcomed over 40 candidates representing dogs, cats, hamsters, and even a Gekko. We named five finalists, and 546 Halloween in the Village attendees voted. Voters represented all age groups, and many, if not most, sported an impressive array of Halloween costumes. Pet lover madness is alive and well in Magnolia.
Thanks also to our partners, Pet Pros Magnolia and Magnolia VCA Animal Hospital, for their generosity in offering prizes to all of our finalists and winners,
Based on the votes, the first-place prize goes to Poodle Noodles! Poodles Noodles received overwhelming voter support and lots of ooohs, ahhhs, and giggles during the judging process. Noodle was a hit – the pot, the meatballs/noodle costume, and the face – what more can we say … creativity, a sense of unbelievable fun, & whimsy won the day.
Second place went to Elton, who brightened up voters’ faces with a colorful display of Elton-ness! Several voters mentioned the jaunty sunglasses… Elton looks ready for the yellow brick road and can rock with the best of them.
Third place went to Harry & Penny. We saw many voters wearing Harry Potter-inspired costumes, and these two candidates fit in with a trendy theme. Several cat lovers also loved Penny and her feline cuteness.
Fourth place went to Brenda B. Her leadership qualities were evident as she welcomed the waves in her admiral’s hat. Many voters mentioned the proud look on her face as the reason she received their votes.
Fifth place went to Doggy Pardon. What a face! Doggy Pardon got a lot of shared giggles at her expressive eyes and fabulous wig. Could she be on her way to Nashville?
Thank you again to all of our contestants and the overwhelming amount of voter interest. The Magnolia Chamber of Commerce looks forward to offering more pet-inspired events in the coming months. In the meantime, love your favorite pet, and we welcome your ideas on further involving our furry friends in Chamber activities that help build community engagement.
October 30, 2023. Hey, trick-or-treaters! As you enjoy Halloween in the Village on October 31st, 4 to 6 pm in Magnolia Village, please stop by and vote in our first-ever Magnolia Chamber Pet Costume Contest. We have five furry candidates to choose from. Many thanks to our sponsor, Queen Anne Paint, and Pet Pros, and Magnolia VCA, for offering support and prizes for our five finalists. And, nothing but awe and appreciation to our over 40 entrants. Amazing creativity was expressed by all and we are purring and barking in joy at the enthusiasm and talent demonstrated by the variety of pets entered into our inaugural costume event.
The best pet costume voting is open to all and please stop by our table, located in front of Windermere on W. McGraw Street to cast your vote for your favorite. Pick up some candy as well!
Below are the five finalists, listed alphabetically. Drum roll, please …
Brenda B.
Doggy Pardon
Elton
Harry & Penny
Poodles & Noodles
Looking forward to all Magnolia neighbors and friends voting for your favorite pet costume. See you in the heart of Magnolia Village on Halloween!
OCTOBER 16. The majority of Seattle residents are not voting. Only 30-40% of Seattle residents vote!
We Heart Seattle is dedicated to getting more of Seattle engaged, informed, and voting through a community walk through Seattle on October 21, 2023, from 9:45 a.m. to 2 p.m.
We Heart Seattle is an action-based, boots-on-the-ground movement that organizes trash cleanups in our public spaces and offers resources to those in need. The non-profit organization leads to a more compassionate and healthy community through direct civic engagement.
As part of its action-based movement for a more beautiful and safer Seattle, We Heart Seattle invites Seattleites to join the organization on October 21st from 9:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a day of voter activation in anticipation of the Nov. 7th general election.
Route and meet-up Locations
Walk participants will start at Hing Hay Park by 9:45 a.m. in the China-International District (CID). Participants can choose to walk the entire 5.7 miles through downtown Seattle to Ballard. This will be a fun yet challenging urban hike – and organizers welcome scooters, bikers, or runners to join in on the walk.
Others may want to join the walk at Bell Street Park and gather at the voter registration booth at 10:45 a.m. or the Counterbalance Park in lower Queen Anne at 11:15 a.m.
From there, walkers will continue to upper Queen Anne, stopping at Dick’s Burgers. The final few miles will cut through the Queen Anne neighborhood, then to the Ballard Bridge, where walkers will cross and end at Bickersons Brewhouse at 12:15 p.m. or after 1514 NW Leary Way in Ballard. The event will end at 2:00 p.m.
Commemorative shirts will be handed out at the walk’s beginning, middle, and end.
Voting is fun and your superpower. Please bring a friend or family member, and let’s walk on October 21, 2023 and remember to vote!
UPDATED OCT. 30. The Magnolia Chamber of Commerce is collecting candidate forum information and helpful resources about the upcoming general election on November 7th. Ballots will be sent to registered voters on Oct. 17. Registered voters can visit the King County Elections websiteto learn more about the election.
As a quick reminder of the key races, Magnolia is represented by council members from Council Districts 6 & 7 following the redistricting process in 2022.
Council 6 has two candidates vying for the council seat: Pete Hanning vs. Dan Strauss, the incumbent.
Council 7 has two candidates vying for the council seat: Bob Kettle vs. Andrew Lewis, the incumbent.
Need help determining what council district you are in? An easy-to-use map is at your fingertips! Click here.
Magnolia registered voters will also vote for the King County Council District 4 council member. The open seat has two candidates: Sarah Reyneveld vs.Jorge L. Barón.
If you need to register to vote, you can register up to eight days before Nov. 7th. Learn more and register at King County Elections.
To date, candidate forums and additional candidate/election information from various sources are listed below. We will update this comprehensive list in the coming weeks and before election day, November 7th.
Inspire Washington – Seattle City Council Cultural Candidate Forum (Districts 1,4,6,7) October 4th, 7 pm – watch the Town Hall forum on Inspire Washington’s YouTube channel
Magnolia Community Council Candidate Forum – Districts 6 & 7, King County Council District 4 October 19, 6 to 8 pm Our Lady of Fatima Parish Church, 3307 W Dravus Street – Seattle, WA 98199
Seattle School Board – Magnolia, District 2 Candidate Information – a helpful, informative recap of Seattle School Board candidates by the Seattle Alliance for Education
League of Women’s Voters Seattle King County Monday, October 16, 7–8:30 p.m Seattle School Board All eight Seattle School Board candidates have agreed to participate. The event is via Zoom and will be live-streamed to our YouTube channel and recorded for later viewing.
To participate via Zoom, register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uL2O2LGKS4eod2xdhgg0uA
August 29, 2023. Vino in the Village is going green on September 16th, from 6 to 9 pm in Magnolia Village. Thanks to our sponsor, Windermere, the Magnolia Chamber of Commerce is partnering with r.Cup. Born from 30+ years of sustainability expertise and innovation, r.Cup brings environmental solutions to Vino in the Village through its integrated, end-to-end reusable cup systems.
r.Cup’s methodology eliminates single-use waste at scale. After Vino in the Village ends on September 16th, r.Cup Seattle will collect, wash, sanitize, inspect, and then repackage the wine-tasting cups to be used repeatedly.
The continued reuse of these cups will allow r.Cup to displace tons and tons of single-use, disposable waste. And any damaged or retired cups are upcycled into items even more remarkable than the r.Cups. It’s genuinely a closed-loop system.
All r.Cups are made in the U.S.A. And, r.Cup offers the highest quality cups with the lowest carbon footprint, increasing the positive environmental impact.
To learn more about what to expect with the r.Cup experience at Vino in the Village, click here.
August 10, 2023. Get ready for Vino in the Village on September 16th, from 6 to 9 pm in Magnolia Village. Vino in the Village is a popular fundraising event, and the Magnolia Chamber of Commerce is immensely grateful to our title sponsor, Magnolia Dental, for helping us put on this always popular event held two times a year. Thanks also to our event partner, Seattle Uncorked. All proceeds go to support your Magnolia Chamber of Commerce.
Current Magnolia Village businesses where you will taste delicious wines include American Dance, our event sponsor Magnolia Dental, Windermere, Sell Your Sole, Mainspring Wealth Advisors, Village Fitness, Triune Pilates, Westerly Studio, Henry Simmons Salon, Vixen Collection, Floof, Studio K, & Cetera Advisors. A curated array of wines will be located at each participating business, and the September 16th Vino in the Village allows you and your family & friends to sip, savor, and shop from 6 to 9 pm in beautiful Magnolia Village.
Seattle’s Tree Protection Code is complicated and lengthy. There are many factors to consider when determining what protections are in place for each specific tree. Different parameters apply to different species on different types of properties.
The team of Certified Arborists at Seattle Tree Care studies the code and its implications to fully understand its many nuances. The most recent ordinance, which goes into effect July 31, imposes stricter tree removal restrictions on private property not undergoing development.
Below is a brief and simplified overview of the new regulations for trees on private property not undergoing development. Tree protection regulations are different for properties undergoing development, properties located in an Environmentally Critical Area (ECA), and public property.
There are many other elements of code application that are not covered here. For questions about a specific tree, contact the team of ISA Certified Arborists at Seattle Tree Care.
Starting July 30, 2023:
A tiered classification system will replace the previous Exceptional and Significant designations. A tree’s protected status is determined by its tier. Tree species and size, measured at Diameter at Standard height (DSH), are two important factors that separate the tiers.
Tier 1 trees are part of the Heritage Tree Program, a joint effort by Plant Amnesty and the City of Seattle.
Tier 1 trees need a permit to be removed and must be replaced or a fee paid in-lieu.
Tier 2 trees include most species with a DSH of 24 inches or greater.
Tier 2 trees need a permit to be removed and must be replaced or a fee paid in-lieu.
Tier 3 trees include most species with a DSH between 12 and 24 inches. Tier 4 trees have a DSH between 6 and 12 inches.
Up to three Tier 3 and 4 trees can be removed in a one-year period without a permit in Downtown and Industrial property zones.
In all other zones, Tier 3 trees need a permit to be removed and must be replaced or a fee paid in-lieu.
Up to two Tier 4 trees can be removed in a three-year period without a permit in the following zones: Neighborhood Residential, Lowrise, Midrise, Commercial, and Seattle Mixed Zones.
In order to be approved for removal, a tree must be hazardous, dead, causing severe conflict with infrastructure, or have serious insect or disease issues.
Trees with a DSH smaller than 6 inches are not regulated by the SDCI.
If you have questions about the Tree Code, the Arborists at Seattle Tree Care are here to help. You can contact the Seattle Tree Care team via their website, seattletreecare.org, or by email: info@seattletreecare.org.
Seattle’s new, and only, parking lot for people living in RVs is expected to open in August — more than a year after money was allocated for the project and eight months after it was expected to open.
The Low Income Housing Institute was awarded the $1.9 million project in June 2022 by the King County Regional Homelessness Authority. It was the only organization to apply for the job.
At the time, authorities estimated the “safe lot,”as this model is called, would open by the end of the year — a pace that some vehicle advocates criticized for being too slow.
The Interbay site comes at a time when safe lots are gaining momentum across the county. The city of Bellevue created funding for a safe parking program, but has yet to find a homelessness services organization willing to run it. The Regional Homelessness Authority recently asked for bids for organizations to stand up one or more safe lots across King County, offering up to $4.2 million in the first year. But with Bellevue struggling to find an organization to even take on the work, and Seattle’s new site taking more than a year to set up, it’s unclear how soon these new programs could open.
This isn’t the first time Seattle and the Low Income Housing Institute have attempted such a program. The nonprofit housing and services provider operated a lot in Ballard in 2016 — homeless services nonprofit Compass Housing Alliance was in charge of case management — but it closed after six months when the property owner, Seattle Public Utilities, determined it needed the land for a different project, according to Jon Grant, chief strategy officer for the Low Income Housing Institute.
The institute’s leaders say they have better support now to make this program a success. Every person who enters the RV site, called Salmon Bay, will have access to housing case workers and mental health and substance use disorder support. There will be showers and restrooms, as well as a kitchen.
The housing institute said it’s spent most of the last year evaluating more than 50 available properties, looking for lots that can hold oversized vehicles and a landlord willing to lease to a homelessness program.
After several close calls and incidents of cold feet, the homelessness nonprofit announced in May it had entered a leasing agreement to take over a narrow piece of property in Interbay, located along 15th Ave. W. The lot is owned by Seattle Storm co-owner, Ginny Gilder.
“Homelessness is not going to disappear from Seattle without communities engaging, as we all know,” Gilder said in a public statement regarding the agreement.
The site is expected to hold 26 recreational vehicles and other oversized vehicles alongside nine tiny houses — a form of individual shelter the nonprofit is best-known for managing. Moving into the safe lot will come with one major requirement: Residents must be willing to give up their vehicle and eventually move into permanent housing.
The tiny houses will go to people whose current vehicle isn’t deemed safe enough to stay in.
Every vehicle will go through an inspection that looks for potential risks, including black mold, electrical concerns, damaged fuel lines and gray or black water leaks, Grant said.
If an RV is deemed not fit to live in, it will be demolished. And the others, too, will be demolished after their owner finds housing.
“One of the problems with RV homelessness is that the vehicles often stay in circulation on the streets and continue to decline in condition and become unsafe for habitation,” Grant said. “We don’t anticipate any of the RVs to be in a reusable condition.”
In addition to medically vulnerable and elderly RV dwellers, a portion of referrals will also be provided to vehicle residents living in the Interbay area, so that nearby neighbors will begin to see an immediate impact.
“There are some RV clients who would love to stay in their RV, and this isn’t the spot for them,” said Jen Manlief, manager of the Vehicle Resident programs for University Heights Center.
The organization, formerly known as the Scofflaw Mitigation team, Seattle’s only outreach team for people living in vehicles, is subcontracting with the Low Income Housing Institute to help build its referral list for the program. Outreach workers connect with hundreds of vehicle campers every month, Manlief said, to better understand their needs and determine who might be ready for housing.
The last time this population was counted, in 2020, more than 2,700 homeless people were found to be living in their vehicles across King County. It’s a group with a wide variety of needs.
Chanel Horner, who lives in a passenger bus similar to one used for public transit, said that since Seattle reinstated it’s 72-hour on-street parking enforcement — which allows vehicles to be towed if parked on the same street for three days or more — and because many concrete “eco-blocks” have been placed illegally in parking spots outside of businesses and homes around the city, it’s becoming harder for vehicle residents to find safe places to be without fear of losing their shelter or home.
“We don’t want to be a problem,” Horner said.
She’s been advocating in Seattle for more safe lots for years. Currently, there are three small safe parking sites located across Seattle for people living in vehicles smaller than RVs, Manlief said, and only a few can park there at a time.
For example, the University District safe lot offers 10 parking spots nightly. All vehicles have to leave in the daytime.
Horner said that in addition to this new Interbay safe lot that has clear housing goals, Seattle could benefit by offering more permanent parking spots for people living in vehicles and RVs, like a trailer park.
She serves on the Regional Homelessness Authority’s Vehicle Resident work group. And she’s had her bus towed and taken away for months before.
Helping people in vehicles is complicated because they have an object of value and a roof over their head, they just don’t have places where they can park or exist freely, said vehicle outreach manager Manlief.
Many have jobs, like Tiffany Meek. Meek estimates that she’s been homeless, living in vehicles, for about 10 years in Seattle. She said waiting to find out if you get towed is like playing Russian roulette.
In March, Meek said, every time she has to leave her RV to go to work, she worries if it will be there when she returns.
“It’s sickening really,” she added. “We’re waiting for the bottom to fall every day.”
And it did.
Meek was at a friend’s house a few months ago, using the shower, and missed a call telling her to move her RV or it would be towed. She returned to find an empty parking spot.
She hasn’t been able to get her RV back and is currently surviving by the generosity of a friend who is sharing their RV with her.
Correction, July 4, 2023, 11:00 a.m.: Due to a source’s error, a previous version of this story misidentified the organization that oversaw case management of the Ballard lot operated by the Low Income Housing Institute in 2016.
The Community Engagement Committee of the Magnolia Chamber of Commerce has developed a questionnaire sent to the Seattle City Council candidates for the 6th & 7th districts and the King County Council District 4 candidates. The questions reflect the concerns of the Magnolia community, including those we have heard from small business owners.
Below, we share the responses we received from the Seattle City Council and King County Council candidates. Not all candidates participated in returning the questionnaire. We also provide the link to the candidate websites. The primary election is on August 1st. The general election is on November 7th.
A reminder: The Seattle city council redistricting process in 2022 split the Magnolia peninsula into two council districts. You can click here to determine if you are voting in the 6th or 7th council district.
