[NFBSea] FW: OPCD September Newsletter - Ballard Workshop, U District, EDI and more!

Thu Sep 17 20:53:07 UTC 2026

From: Seattle Office of Planning and Community Development <SeattleOPCD at subscriptions.seattle.gov> 
Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2026 1:42 PM
To: jacobstruiksma at gmail.com
Subject: OPCD September Newsletter - Ballard Workshop, U District, EDI and more!

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Ballard Community Workshop, September 22!

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Ballard for all! Share your thoughts on our Ballard Regional Center Plan, your input will help us understand your experiences now and what you think the neighborhood needs more of to be a vibrant, equitable, and resilient place over the next 20 years. We hope to see you at our community workshop on September 22!

Ballard Community Workshop
Tuesday, September 22, 5-7 PM
Seattle Public Library - Ballard Branch, 5614 22nd Ave. N.W.

Tell us what you think by taking our survey at  <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FBallardPlan%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001a0b11aae33-fa6bac16-10e3-4b12-9a80-3cc0726caf9d-000000/jaDH0Rh_ejCDkf8f9r0OR5oA_gUlx3A8MvufIHwKiS0=452> https://bit.ly/BallardPlan by September 30. Survey available in English, Spanish, and Chinese.

 <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FBallardPlan%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/2/010001a0b11aae33-fa6bac16-10e3-4b12-9a80-3cc0726caf9d-000000/xGpAcLfzcSRmBFb8HtqLxJQwSbbYhJc-tZSFO0wGDeY=452> Ballard Survey

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U District Neighborhood Planning Outreach Continues With a New Survey!  

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It’s your U District – help shape what’s next! Now is your chance to tell us which policy ideas would be most important to include in the  <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.seattle.gov%2Fplanning-and-community-development%2Fregional-centers-planning%2Funiversity-district%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001a0b11aae33-fa6bac16-10e3-4b12-9a80-3cc0726caf9d-000000/SIII-IBuX5RjFO6CFdW9e-hKsZ1DxYkrtpaPKQnufMk=452> U District  plan and guide the neighborhood for the next 20 years. Our survey is open now through October 7, available in English, Chinese and Spanish.

 <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FUDistrictPlanNewsletter%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001a0b11aae33-fa6bac16-10e3-4b12-9a80-3cc0726caf9d-000000/PSEZV9bUdR3IlhUyj7VHQm_1JSUyJ3a2C_0Clu9Wgig=452> U District Survey

Providing input helps shape the Draft Regional Center Plan before it is shared with the public for final comment in early 2027.

OPCD in Community

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>From left to right: Amira Beasley (City EDI Advisory Board Member), Giulia Pasciuto (City EDI staff), Yasmeen Perez (KC EDI staff), Miriam Zmiewski-Angelova (KC EDI Board Member), Tino Salud (KC EDI Board Member), Unidentified community member, Yordanos Teferi (KC EDI Board Member), Dimitri Groce (KC EDI Board Member), Hamdi Abdulle (President & CEO of African Community Housing & Development), Feven Gebrehiwet (KC EDI staff), Maria Guadalupe Ramirez (KC EDI Board Member). Center, kneeling: Tagoipah Mathno (City EDI staff).

 <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fkingcounty.gov%2Fen%2Fdept%2Fdchs%2Fhuman-social-services%2Fhousing-homeless-services%2Ffunding-opportunities%2Fequitable-development-initiative%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001a0b11aae33-fa6bac16-10e3-4b12-9a80-3cc0726caf9d-000000/-SlfmdL0cpM45zjztEEavEWshatIaQzqjy9fKHCnt5A=452> King County's Equitable Development Initiative (EDI) hosted a mixer with our EDI team and advisory board members at Stoup Brewing in Capitol Hill last month. We had a great time getting to know one another and building community!

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Eli Allison (second from left), ART founder and executive director, with EDI staff.

Equitable Development Initiative (EDI) staff recently visited Auto Repair Transformation (ART), who recently acquired a property in SODO. ART works to close the equity gap for drivers and workers in the automotive repair industry. We're super proud of our EDI partner!

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People sharing their thoughts on the Uptown Regional Center Plan at Bumbershoot.

We were at this year's Bumbershoot Music Festival to gather input for our  <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.seattle.gov%2Fplanning-and-community-development%2Fregional-centers-planning%2Fuptown%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001a0b11aae33-fa6bac16-10e3-4b12-9a80-3cc0726caf9d-000000/1j3xJU8vpleVezuFvfuw7yb3oEy1KAkwielYRsGc8ww=452> Uptown Regional Center Plan. Thanks to all who said hello and shared their thoughts with us!

Project Updates

The Graham Block Party Returns!

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Come celebrate the Graham neighborhood at the 2026 Graham Block Party and help shape what comes next for the Graham Street station area.

Graham Block Party
Saturday, October 3, 11 AM-3 PM
 <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fmaps.app.goo.gl%2FJiJaZ8XMbThxebYGA%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001a0b11aae33-fa6bac16-10e3-4b12-9a80-3cc0726caf9d-000000/WMsbNKJp96m-rXgug4aIcB5tzuOs-RXaR_UnctYZKD0=452> South Eddy Street, between Rainier Restaurant and Starbucks

 <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.eventbrite.com%2Fe%2Fgraham-block-party-2026-tickets-2001254318539%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001a0b11aae33-fa6bac16-10e3-4b12-9a80-3cc0726caf9d-000000/E6Dzas1rDPcLajZEODGZEZn-1AypCm6bn2bRmDCbhB4=452> Block Party RSVP

This year’s event comes at an exciting moment for the neighborhood. The future Graham Street Station is now fully funded, marking a major milestone after years of community advocacy. The Block Party is a free, family friendly celebration with food, performances, local businesses and community organizations, and activities for all ages. Celebrate the community, meet your neighbors, and share your thoughts about how the Graham neighborhood can grow and change as light rail comes to the area.

With the station moving forward, the City of Seattle is working with community members and partners, including Sound Transit, to plan for what comes next. Right now, we’re asking for feedback on early ideas about land use and urban design, including how new development can enhance the neighborhood, where new housing could go, and how public spaces could feel.

Take the Graham Station Area Planning Survey by October 7.

 <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fsurvey.alchemer.com%2Fs3%2F8925388%2F743e7c3f50d0%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001a0b11aae33-fa6bac16-10e3-4b12-9a80-3cc0726caf9d-000000/FPk6jCfwfUFVmlHgrQQsGdh0K2p5h4iK2lhyHwwGyOE=452> Graham Survey

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Designs Selected for ADUniverse 2.0

We are excited to announce the results of our call for new pre-approved plans on <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Faduniverse-seattlecitygis.hub.arcgis.com%2Fpages%2Fgallery%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001a0b11aae33-fa6bac16-10e3-4b12-9a80-3cc0726caf9d-000000/IOLRhpnH6uCVtuaNwNN3N8uA0GIKKpMgRt78Wg3gg54=452>  ADUniverse. A jury of local design and architectural experts selected 15 ADU and middle housing designs, plus 5 honorable-mention designs, from 110 submissions received over the summer.

Congratulations to the successful designers, and thank you to all who responded to our call for submissions. Read more about the project and explore the list of selected designs.

 <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fdailyplanit.seattle.gov%2Fannouncing-15-new-pre-approved-plans-for-adus-and-middle-housing%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001a0b11aae33-fa6bac16-10e3-4b12-9a80-3cc0726caf9d-000000/aa0z1E-0mHP4xsZMq7nni50scnqH3mEcxMOStktkJWY=452> ADU Blog Post

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John Marshall School Seeks Advisory Committee Members

We are seeking volunteers to serve on an advisory committee to review and make recommendations related to development standard departures requested by Seattle Public Schools for John Marshall School, located at 520 NE Ravenna Blvd. Seattle Public Schools is requesting modifications, also known as “departures,” from City zoning regulations.

Learn more about the process and to be a part of the advisory committee by visiting the  <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.seattle.gov%2Fplanning-and-community-development%2Fmajor-institutions-and-schools%2Fschool-departures-advisory-committees%2Fjohn-marshall-interim-school%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001a0b11aae33-fa6bac16-10e3-4b12-9a80-3cc0726caf9d-000000/-1-8ZjZRTwfcObTN6loom0Wws25pFkbXzVCFiG9Zg-Y=452> John Marshall Departures Advisory Committee website.

Equitable Development Initiative Updates

$7.4 Million in New EDI Building Projects Announced

  <https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WASEATTLE/2026/09/14368324/7128079/c857a5d5-81dd-48c7-a8d6-6343e63c22dd_crop.jpg> We are excited to announce $7.4 million in new Equitable Development Initiative building project awards! These funds will support four new shovel-ready capital projects, four new capacity-building projects, and two awards to move existing EDI projects toward completion.

Villa Comunitaria (pictured on the right at a back to school event) will use their award to help support Casa Jardín, a child and family development and cultural center in South Park.

For more information and a list of awardees, please visit our  <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fdailyplanit.seattle.gov%2Fcity-of-seattle-awards-7-4-million-to-support-community-led-anti-displacement-building-projects%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001a0b11aae33-fa6bac16-10e3-4b12-9a80-3cc0726caf9d-000000/KoqoYghe-r77RNJN_BwYj7EiscGMdF4IJG2XgU_IEmM=452> Daily Plan It blog.

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Cherry Street Farm on YouTube

EDI partner Hip Hop Is Green recently opened Cherry Street Farm, a community-driven project advancing food security and food justice.  <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FdTJA8Bj4PaE%3Fsi=k98n4G5m5R0GhwBO%26utm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001a0b11aae33-fa6bac16-10e3-4b12-9a80-3cc0726caf9d-000000/S7aAPm8OXxOA6NPtwRpIJTNfUrkcQ8fYc0J1ekK2Cks=452> Watch their video to learn how the farm can serve as a model for urban communities across the U.S.

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EDI Partner Featured on a Podcast

Senait Brown of EDI partner  <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.houseofmkeka.org%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001a0b11aae33-fa6bac16-10e3-4b12-9a80-3cc0726caf9d-000000/Pyu2uYDwPMg9TR5eBXqFUZR27BHcBEN98NaZNB-tNB0=452> House of Mkeka was recently featured on the  <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FNJJrUxJ_C5M%3Fsi=mgoQNHLz_AxcyjVj%26utm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001a0b11aae33-fa6bac16-10e3-4b12-9a80-3cc0726caf9d-000000/nlcgK2zHO242ejCEQLhi-eknGDW2DkRycKk9TKne5Tk=452> This is Cohousing podcast. House of Mkeka is an eight-household intergenerational pocket neighborhood being developed by Black families in Seattle. Senait, a community organizer and single parent, shares how her community chose what they call "self-determined communal living": pooling their collective net worth and pursuing grants, donations, and community resources rather than taking on thirty-year mortgages or accepting the AMI and resale caps of conventional affordable housing.

Pet of the Month

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Name: Sergeant
Age: 8
Favorite Snack: Birds 👀
Submitted by Karen,  <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fp%2FDXZ2LHzGWkD%2F%3Fstkn=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%253D%253D%26utm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001a0b11aae33-fa6bac16-10e3-4b12-9a80-3cc0726caf9d-000000/62kLQ8lhn37cyl7JZbIyhp8SykWMVe5tZ-fcud1uegY=452> Finance and Admin team member.

Seattle Office of Planning & Community Development

P.O. Box 94788

Seattle, WA 98124-7088

Phone: (206) 386-1010

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