Our Mission
Seattle must build more housing without sacrificing parks, trees, greenways, or community voice.
In 2023, the Washington State Legislature passed the Middle Housing Bill, requiring cities to allow greater housing density in traditionally single-family neighborhoods. Most recently, Mayor Wilson proposed building housing "Taller, Denser, Faster." While these efforts seek to address Seattle's housing shortage, they have given insufficient attention to the neighborhood-level impacts on parks, trees, open space, and other green infrastructure.
We believe Seattle can achieve both goals: adding the housing our city needs while protecting and expanding the parks, trees, greenways, and open spaces that make neighborhoods healthy, resilient, and livable.
We are calling on Mayor Wilson to improve the “Taller, Denser, Faster” proposal by pursuing a growth strategy that protects the environment and what makes our city livable, cleans our air and water, and keeps Seattle climate resilient. Green investment without displacement protection has historically pushed out the communities who fought hardest for it. Seattle must plan both together.
Seattle's nature is
not a bargaining chip.
Everyone agrees Seattle needs more housing. But the "Taller, Denser, Faster" approach threatens to sideline the environmental protections, public review, and thoughtful planning that Seattle residents expect and deserve.
WITHOUT ADEQUATE PLANNING, THIS APPROACH RISKS:
— Loss of trees, urban canopy, and neighborhood green space
— Increased pressure on already overburdened parks
— Reduced opportunities to create new public open spaces
— Weaker climate resilience and environmental protections
— Inaequate investments in stormwater, sewer, and energy infrastructure
— Excluding residents from decisions that will shape Seattle for generations
— Denying neighborhoods most impacted by historic inequities a voice in this process.
— Accelerating displacement of longtime residents
Seattle can build more housing without paving over the beauty and nature that make people want to live here.
Principles for a Greener, Denser, and More Livable Seattle
1. Get Seattle's Future Right
Major changes deserve a deliberate, transparent process.
2. Protect and Prioritize Parks, Trees, and Greenways in Every Neighborhood
Trees, parks, and green spaces are essential infrastructure, not an afterthought.
3. Demand Housing and Green Space Together
Seattle doesn't have to choose between housing and environmental health.
4. Put Climate Resilience at the Center of Growth Planning
Climate resilience must be built into Seattle's growth strategy from the start.
5. Give Communities a Real Voice
Residents deserve a real voice in decisions that will reshape their neighborhoods.
6. Growth without Displacing
Green investments must include displacement analysis and community-approved mitigation.
Our Members
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