MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Leaders unveil ‘Seattle Rescue Plan’ to aid city’s post-pandemic recovery

May 27, 2021, 3:18 PM

social distancing, small business, holiday shopping, seattle recovery...

Downtown Seattle. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Seattle leaders unveiled the “Seattle Rescue Plan,” a proposed spending plan for $128.4 million in COVID-19 relief dollars from the federal government to aid the city’s recovery from the pandemic and related economic impacts.

State hopes to avoid ‘tale of two societies’ for vaccinated, unvaccinated

KIRO Radio’s Hanna Scott says the city council will hash out the proposal over the next several weeks. Spending includes flexible grants for businesses, direct cash payments to roughly 10,000 families in need, and nearly $50 million in housing and homelessness investments.

The plan, drafted by Mayor Jenny Durkan, Council President Lorena Gonzalez, and Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, also spends on child care, immigrants and refugees, and many other priorities.

Seattle Public Schools Board approves reopening plan for fall

“We’re quickly approaching our city’s bold goals to fully vaccinate more than 70% of our eligible residents, which is critical to safely reopening and building a robust and long term recovery. In the coming months, all our efforts will be focused on economic recovery of our businesses, supporting neighborhoods across Seattle, and addressing the needs of those living unhoused,” Durkan said.

“Working together, we are delivering an ambitious plan to kick start Seattle’s recovery with direct aid to families and small businesses, support for Seattle Promise students, and major investments in shelter and housing to help 750 households experiencing homelessness move into safer spaces and permanent housing,” she added.

The city expects to receive another $116 million in flexible funds next May from the federal government, as well as more money from the latest stimulus over the summer.

KIRO Radio’s Hanna Scott contributed to this report.

MyNorthwest News

macklemore tour palestine...

Jason Sutich

Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran’s tour after saying ‘Free Palestine’ at MetLife Stadium

Grammy Award winner and Seattle native Macklemore has been dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour after he made comments supporting Palestine during a concert.

1 hour ago

street racers...

James Lynch

VIDEO: Street racers hit 107 mph in University Place, dashcam gives deputies key evidence

A late-night street race between a Bugatti and a Porsche on a busy Pierce County road led to the arrest of two 25-year-old men.

2 hours ago

microsoft ai humanist...

Frank Lenzi

Microsoft’s new ‘Humanist AI’ rules ban weapons, demand human control

Microsoft released a draft framework that puts humans first, banning its AI models from imitating consciousness or exceeding human control.

2 hours ago

business (1)...

Julia Dallas

WA’s business ranking drops from 1st to 11th as Puget Sound region loses nearly 7,000 jobs, report finds

A new business report from Challenge Seattle warned the region is losing its competitive edge and identified the factors driving the decline.

3 hours ago

arlington log truck sr 530...

Jason Sutich

‘Tragic collision’: Log truck and vehicle crash on SR 530 near Arlington kills at least 1, road closed in both directions

A fatal collision is blocking both directions of SR 530 in Arlington on Monday after a log truck and a vehicle collided.

4 hours ago

Exterior of Harborview Medical Center parking garage...

MyNorthwest Staff

New 640-space parking garage, potential medical office building part of Harborview’s long-term campus expansion

King County submitted preliminary design plans for a new six-level, 640-space parking garage next to Harborview Medical Center.

5 hours ago

Leaders unveil ‘Seattle Rescue Plan’ to aid city’s post-pandemic recovery