Good afternoon, everybody.
Thank you for being here.
We're going to do this karaoke style.
All right.
This is not on my notes, but when the spirit hits you, the spirit hits you.
I want to first give Chris LeVon.
That music was on point.
And he's from Beacon Hill.
He's a local product.
He's right over there.
We got to support him.
Work for Choose 180, local talent.
That was my walk-in music when you were playing in.
That puts us in a good mood to talk about some exciting things.
I'm thrilled to be here alongside with the Downtown Seattle Association, our Office of Economic Development, Councilmembers Lewis and Nelson, I'll say a few words about them later, and all of you to celebrate the renewal and expansion of the MID, the Metropolitan Improvement District.
Yes, that's worthy of clapping some hands.
This legislation reaffirms our commitment to a vibrant and thriving downtown core.
Quite candidly, it's a core component of the immediate action that we're taking part of our DAP plan.
People know what DAP means, that's our Downtown Activation Plan, but it's also when we give each other some DAP is something we say because it's exciting what we're trying to do.
We're trying to rejuvenate the spirit of Seattle.
I'd also give a special shout out, excuse me, a shout out I don't know, did you time it that way, Councilmember Nielsen?
I was getting ready to say a shout out to Councilmember Nielsen for helping shepherd it, shepherd, shepherdize the legislation through the council to a unanimous vote in support of the mid-renewal and expansion and here on the seventh floor we like those unanimous votes because that means we are working in sync and that's a good machine working together on the core competency of making sure our city comes back.
We're pretty excited about this.
The Metropolitan Improvement District and our partners at the Downtown Seattle Association are absolutely critical, absolutely essential to ensuring that our downtown, very in simple terms, are welcoming, friendly, safe, and activated.
It becomes an activation strategy for our residents and our visitors.
So in our administration, I think other administrations try to do the same thing, but we're trying to do it the best we could, that when something works, We define it, we measure it, we embrace it, we recommit to it, we expand it.
And that's what this effort is about in terms of our key element of our downtown activation plan.
This renewal expands the service boundaries for the mid, it expands, we're increasing our cleaning services, it invests in unarmed security and increased downtown ambassador salaries while maintaining improving services that we have made In the midst we've made we've partnered with the mid and it's become a valuable asset or community over the years quick sort of fun fact Harold who's a friend and Jane I understand are retiring very shortly They do not know we're gonna collectively try to talk them out of retirement because they're gonna miss all this good action But in all seriousness, well-deserved, and they've put a lot of heart, soul, and commitment into helping us clean the city up and restore it.
So I want to give you a personal hand right now, Harold and Jane.
Thank you.
Yes.
I say we love catching people in the act of doing something good and right, and that's certainly what we did, years of service.
Quite frankly, day in and day out, the MID is hard at work, whether it's cleaning the streets or beautifying the environment with art, with lights, with flowers, activating public spaces with activities and events, providing security, interpersonal skills, hospitality service through our ambassadors.
and the term ambassador could not be a better term to describe what we're trying to create.
The ambassadors, I don't know who originally thought of that, I'm sure John Scholes will take credit for it, but I don't know who actually thought about it, but that's a great way to define our workers, our members that are so valuable to what we're trying to do.
We truly want to recognize the MIDS hard work.
I also want to thank the property owners, who we believe this program could not, obviously from a funding source, could not support, could not be done without its support.
These are self-assessments.
These are people that believe that they have to put some skin in the game for us to be able to fund these types of projects.
So we want to make sure we don't take that kind of buy-in for granted.
They've decided that the level of investment is worth it and made it possible for the work to continue during this critical season for our downtown.
We all know what we're coming out of from a downtown standpoint.
Downtown success will require all of us, the city of Seattle, the mid, civic and business partners, many of whom are here right now.
to engage in bold, visionary, committed, what we've called in our administration, space needle thinking, thinking big.
And it requires that we make sure we handle the basics in and out.
You've heard me say this before.
I say, yeah, shiny things are cool, but getting to the basics, which is safe, cleanliness, activation, getting to the basics is going to be a core trademark of our administration.
The MID makes that possible in very simple terms.
So together we'll continue to address the present and future needs of our downtown neighborhoods, both big and small.
Harold has heard me say this in other forums where I say that when you take pride in something and you see a piece of paper on the ground, you just don't assume someone else is going to pick it up.
We are all in this together and that's the spirit of public service that we see from the DSA and through the MID and hopefully with our 14,000 plus employees, I tell everyone, we have a role to play in this.
I want to thank all of you for being here.
Not just the mid-ambassadors, but the community leaders once again.
We don't take any of our strategies and the involvement we're getting from people for granted.
We try to inspire and keep the love going.
And so that's love for the people, love for the city, and love for doing better.
So now I'm going to ask Councilmember Sarah Nelson to make remarks.
She did, again, help shepherdize this through the legislative process, and we know how passionate she is about this area and about making sure we're safe.
I present to you Councilmember Sarah Nelson.
Well, I like that new verb, shepherdize.
So in case you missed it, here's what happened.
On three separate occasions, downtown residents, small business owners, property owners, social service agencies, community leaders came together, packed city hall chambers to ask us to allow ratepayers to charge themselves for another 10 years to make downtown a better place for everyone.
That's pretty much what their message was, and of course we said yes, because why wouldn't we?
Because we're getting a great deal as the city.
The MID is an example of public-private partnerships at their best.
We're getting services such as cleaning, urban space activation, and so much more.
life-saving services from our ambassadors.
So my point is simply that I'm here, I shepherded this through the committee, but it's really the work that came up that led to this plan and that got everybody in line and on board with this new program.
And so I just have to say thank you to the MID, thank you to everybody, behind me, and thank you most of all to the ambassadors.
The stories we heard in chambers about how you helped an individual cross the street, how you saved someone's life one day, and that was witnessed and talked about.
This is what we have to be grateful for, and thank you very much.
All right, we love teams here in Seattle.
The Kraken gave it a great, great run.
They made history.
We love teams.
And another member of the team will be Councilmember Andrew Lewis.
And, you know, when you talk about downtown, Councilmember Lewis, he'll lower his voice a little bit, and he says, oh, you in my house.
You're in my house.
No, he doesn't say that.
I say that sometimes.
So I present to you, thank you for your leadership, Councilmember Andrew Lewis.
Thank you so much, Mayor.
It's really good to be here.
And thank you, Councilmember Nelson, for leading us on the Council and shepherding through this historic investment.
It is so good to be here because there is no Seattle recovery without downtown recovery.
And today we are signing the plan to help downtown recovery along.
I look out into this crowd and see people who over the last four years I have worked with when downtown was at its lowest ebb.
I look out and see I see Matt Griffin where we work to keep the convention center on track and get it open.
I look at Rick Yoder who we helped to clean up 3rd Avenue to get tents off of 3rd Avenue at a time we were reopening after the COVID shutdowns.
I look out at this crowd because Downtown is the beating heart of this city and with this plan, through this mid-renewal, we are taking a step forward to turn that story of resiliency during a time of COVID to recovery.
And we are seeing that today in the news, fastest growing major city in the United States, that growth is coming right here in the neighborhood of downtown.
And as we go into this summer, the services that we have in place with the mid, because there is no downtown recovery without the mid, There is no clean and safe downtown without the MID and the work that all of these ambassadors who are joining us here today do.
A challenge to all of us, including myself, because there's no better place to be in Seattle summer than downtown.
Join me at Pier 62. Join me for a Mariners game.
Join me at Westlake Park.
Join me at our Convention Center.
Join me at all the great amenities that are defining this city and defining the resiliency of this region, because all of it is in our downtown core.
And today we are here to activate, to build on those investments, and I am committed to continuing to work with everybody here to build on these investments as a partner at the city and really look forward to continuing to support the great work of our ambassadors, of the leadership of the DSA, and the Harrell administration and the downtown activation plan.
Thank you all so much.
It's an honor to be here and I will hand it back over to Mayor Harrell.
He forgot to say, my name is Andrew Lewis and I approve of this message.
That's his sign off there.
So how does this work get done?
Through leaders like Lisa Nitza, who I just want to read a little bit about her bio and you'll see how we're able to celebrate this work that we're all doing collectively.
Lisa is the mid ratepayer advisory board and principal.
She's the chair of the advisory board and principal.
She chairs the DSA Mid-Advisory Board, the SOTA BIA Board Economic Development Committee, the Seattle Chinatown International District PDA Board Community Initiatives Committee, and also serves on the board of both the Historic Seattle Foundation and of WELD.
Additionally, Lisa manages the Pioneer Square Safety and Security Group, the Northern Rainier Valley Partnership, and the Alliance for Safety, Affordability, and Preservation.
And by the way, these are just the cliff notes of her bio.
She loves this city, she loves this area, and we're fortunate to have this kind of leadership working for us.
I present Lisa Nitza.
Thank you, Mayor Harrell.
for all your administration is doing to revitalize and reinvigorate Seattle's downtown, and for making the MID the cornerstone of your downtown activation plan.
Most of all, thank you for reauthorizing the MID and its manager, the Downtown Seattle Association, to continue their critical work on behalf of Seattle's downtown for the next 10 years.
The MID.
Many.
Improving, invigorating, innovating, ideating, integrating, impacting downtown.
That's the MID.
1,270 ratepayers, 150 ambassadors, all here in their yellow.
300 Seattle city blocks, $18.5 million each year spent uplifting and upholding the Seattle that we love.
More than 1 million, with an M, gallons of trash collected each year.
Cleaning and beautifying downtown streets, sidewalks, alleys, parks, and public spaces.
And more than 100 events and activations each year that bring together all walks of the Seattle community to revel in everything that C-Town has to offer.
At this critical inflection point in downtown Seattle, as it navigates its way out of the pandemic and shapes its future, the Mid and the DSA look forward to a strong and impactful partnership with you and your administration and with administrations to come, fostering and promoting a thriving downtown core, second to none.
Thank you.
Thank you very much, Lisa.
Our next speaker is going to be Avery Barnes.
Many of you probably have seen her in action.
She's the founder of Taswera, a Seattle restored participant.
I'll talk a little bit about her company.
She's an innovative entrepreneur on a mission to blend art, culture, and empowerment.
Avery is a Seattle restored recipient, as I said, in Pioneer Square.
Out of 150 applicants, Taswera was chosen as one of only seven pop-up shops, showcasing its unique position in education.
Taswera is a sustainable African streetwear store that offers a diverse range of products sourced exclusively from the vibrant continent of Africa.
I present to you Avery Barnes.
Good morning everyone.
I just want to express I just want to express my gratitude to the mayor and the City of Seattle Council and the Downtown Seattle Association and Midstaff for your leadership of our downtown.
When I first opened Tazbira, I was greeted with open arms by the Midstaff.
It was so nice to come to Pioneer Square and have such a warm welcoming, introducing themselves, educating me on their mission and even visiting my gallery during business hours and the events that we hosted just to get things off the ground.
One aspect that has always stood out to me was their positive approach with our houseless communities.
If I do say so myself, I've seen this in action, how they have supported these individuals with true and genuine support, humanity, dignity, compassion, and And this is the kind of aid that I see that represents our best step forward as a community, understanding how our city has tirelessly worked to find solutions for this issue.
And it demonstrates how we can address the challenges we face with empathy and a commitment to uplifting everyone in our community.
As the mayor had mentioned, we've worked very hard on activating colorful spaces in our community, and I'm proud to state and just claim that Tazmira is one of those spaces.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion is at the heart of Tazmira's existence in Pioneer Square.
Not only do we stand out as the only African art gallery in Seattle, but Tazwira now is also the only remaining Black-owned gallery in Pioneer Square.
Our platform for collaboration and change goes beyond just a local reach of creating opportunities for artisans and entrepreneurs of color in our space, but we also partner with indigenous tribes such as the Maasai in Kenya.
At Tazweira, we showcase items made through a women's empowerment center in Mombasa that I began developing in 2019 and at the age of 19. I believe in supporting their invaluable work, which is why a portion of Tazweira's proceeds goes directly towards empowering these communities.
At 23 years old today, giving back and giving forward is a part of how my business began.
Thank you to the Seattle Restored Program.
This was a crucial, crucial milestone in realizing my vision, and this initiative brings life into downtown simply by filling empty storefronts with local artisans and businesses.
All of this is to say that I believe that the MID's renewal and continued implementation of the Downtown Activation Plan will further support the success of businesses like mine.
In renewing the MID, we invest in a vibrant and thriving downtown community.
The MIDS commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming downtown for all is evident in their approach to supporting local businesses and their compassionate outreach to our homeless neighbors.
Together, I believe that we can continue to make downtown Seattle a place where creativity, entrepreneurship, and compassion intersect.
Let us join hands in supporting the MIDS renewal and the downtown activation plan so that our city can flourish and our shared dreams, like mine, for our downtown can be achieved.
Thank you.
Thank you, Avery.
We have two more short speakers.
The next speaker will be Sherry Trencer.
Cherie Trencer, and she's the assistant supervisor for the Mid-Clean team.
And if I could speak to the ambassadors just for a minute.
You are a team that you represent Seattle at its finest.
People that are part of a team, they're not afraid to put in the hard work.
You greet people.
You have to sometimes face situations that are intolerable, that I find intolerable as a mayor.
I don't like seeing just trash everywhere and neglect.
And you're on the front lines helping us do this work.
You know, I mentioned a kraken earlier.
Three years ago, I didn't even know how many hockey players would be on the ice at the same time.
I have to, full disclosure, I didn't know what a power play was.
So I went on YouTube and started reading all the history books, I mean the books on hockey, and I become an avid fan.
And why?
because we're part of a team.
When I talk about One Seattle, I talk about being on the same team, a team sport.
We don't blame each other.
We work with one another.
And I think Cherie exemplifies the spirit by which we are trying to accomplish this here in Seattle.
Cherie, please say a few words.
Hello.
Testing.
Can you hear me?
Here we go.
All right.
Thank you.
Good morning to you all.
My name is Cherie Trencer and I proudly serve as the Assistant Supervisor of the Clean Team at the MID.
Today is a big day for us as we not only maintain stability within our organization, but also celebrate the strong sense of community that surrounds us.
I, along with my fellow colleagues, have been given the opportunity to rebuild our own lives, and in doing so, we have a profound impact on the lives of those we encounter every day.
Our teams of ambassadors working hand-in-hand with the Downtown Seattle Association, DSA, would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Mayor Harrell, the entire Seattle City Council, and all the incredible supporters of the Mid.
Your votes, kind words, assistance, and unwavering support throughout this renewal process has been truly inspiring.
The encouragement we have received from your feedback and testimonies has not only uplifted us, but also motivated us to mentor and encourage others in the community.
It is a great honor to represent my colleagues on stage today and have the privilege of meeting Mayor Bruce Harrell.
I express my sincere gratitude because it is our shared goal to keep the public realm clean, clear, and cared for, ensuring that our beautiful downtown Seattle continues to prosper and flourish.
While the weather here may be unpredictable at times, our commitment to our mission remains steadfast in enabling our community to move freely through all of life's adventures.
Once again, I want to emphasize that none of this would have been possible without the incredible support we have received from all of you, all of you.
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to us and extend a warm greeting to our fellow ambassadors of the MID.
Thank you.
Thank you, Cherie.
So our last speaker is known as the closer.
No, he's not known as that.
You're going to hear from the president of Downtown Seattle Association, John Scholes.
And quite frankly, it's been this kind of partnership.
We're trying to reach unprecedented levels of a partnership to get this work done.
And I couldn't do it without John, his administration, and the programs that they are implementing.
John Scholes, please say a few words to us.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mayor.
Thank you, Councilors Nelson and Lewis.
Thanks to our team, and thanks to the property owners who have agreed to make this investment for another decade and to increase your investment.
The Downtown Seattle Associations managed this program since 1999. We look forward to continuing to deliver high-quality services to our downtown community over the next decade.
This work has been guided by a 35-member board of property owners that help advise and oversee these efforts and a number of them are here today.
And if you are on that board, if you could just raise your hand so we can recognize your service, your voluntary service.
Lisa had a couple of plays on the M.I.D. acronym.
I had a few as well.
One is we've got momentum in downtown.
We've got Mojo back in downtown.
We've got a mayor invested in downtown.
And if anybody's handing out awards here in the coming months or years for the most improved downtown, I think we should apply, Mayor.
So, you know, years from now, decades from now, folks will write the history of how this city picked itself off the mat from a devastating pandemic.
And the story will not be one of one hero, one individual, one event or one action that revitalized this great downtown.
It will be a story of lots of individuals that came together that persevered, that demonstrated the resiliency and innovation that's always been true to this place.
And you all are the subjects that are going to be in those stories.
It's about moments like this coming together, partnerships with the public sector, all of us having our hand on the oar, doing the right thing and keeping at it.
That's going to be the story that is written about this moment in time in our city after an incredibly difficult few years.
And it's going to be a great story.
You're all a part of it.
And I just want to lift up and hold up all of the work that each of you are doing, from the work on the street to investing to the public service that's being done.
We've got our work cut out for us, no doubt.
We're not there yet, but we've made some incredible progress together.
And it's models like this, this is the recipe for how we can continue to sustain that progress and do it Seattle's way.
Create a place that's inclusive and welcoming to all, a place that lifts up our values, a downtown where everybody feels like they belong and has opportunity.
This is a great moment to mark.
You know, we only get to do this every 10 years, so I'm glad we got together today.
Thank you, Mayor.
Thanks to our elected officials.
Thanks to all of you for being here today.
Okay, we're going to physically sign the legislation and I'll come back for some Q&A.
I agree with everything the closer said, but If the media wanted to give someone credit and say one—no, I'm just kidding.
We're going to sign the legislation, have some fun, we'll do some Q&A, and we'll go from there.
Let's sign it.
I'm sorry, I can't really close it.
It's stuck in here.
So I've been told we have a hard stop, Jamie Housen, so I can't take cues.
So it's a we have a full disclosure.
We have a White House press conference we have to do on some funding that we're receiving a program we're participating in.
So we have to be right a hard stop.
So I'm you know, I don't dodge questions, but I can't take questions.
We have to go.
Thank you very, very much for being here.
Yes, it's part of the intra-agency on homelessness strategies under the Biden administration.
We are one of the selected communities to be a participant.
We should be very proud of that.
And so it's going to help us solve and address the homelessness issue.
So, and it starts.
How will it be different than what you've received in the past?
You guys are vicious.
Okay.
How will it be different?
It comes with some actual, some expertise, some federal expertise and participation, and we build on those relationships.
So I think the distinction in this particular program is the Biden administration are very They're all in on trying to help major cities grapple with this, and they've had their eye on Seattle on some of our existing strategies.
They like a lot of what we're doing, and so they're willing to give us more resources and some expertise.
And so a little, I guess one could argue it's a continuation of some things in the past, but we were just recently accepted.
We were hoping to get what we got today, and so both the King County exec and myself will participate at a hard 11 o'clock, so that's where I have to go to.
I'll see you again.
Thank you, One Seattle.
Thank you, Mid Ambassadors.
We love you.
You're putting in the work.
Thank you, Harold.