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♪♪

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♪♪

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-It's all about arts
and culture,

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everything we do is
about activation and expression

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and SDOT director Adiam Emery.

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Thank you for being here as well

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and your
great transportation leadership,

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which is gotten some attention,
some good attention lately.

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I also want to thank
Lincoln Property

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for hosting us here today at the
state of the art 225th building.

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This is amazing, isn't it?

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I'm talking about the weather
by the way.

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This site is amazing,

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the architectural statements
that are made, the feel of it

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and most importantly

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what we're trying to do
to activate this area.

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And support the growing
life sciences and biotechnology

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hub here in South Lake Union.

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We know that this is
an incredible industry,

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one we do not take for
advantage -- for -- take,

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What's the word
I'm trying to find?

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For granted.
It's been a long week so far.

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Creating over 25,000 jobs in
the sector here in King County,

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Washington and just do
amazing work for global health

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and regional health
and the kinds of things

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they're working on.

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You know we get criticized
from the other Washington

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for some of our commitments
to things like equity and gender

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fairness, and climate change.

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We get attacked for our belief
in science and how we are,

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we believe in the benefits
of research grants at a time

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where we have to fight
for this kind of commitment.

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And I have leaders around me
that will talk more about that,

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but the fact is,
is housing, jobs,

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and a diversity
of small businesses

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are critical
to our economic vitality.

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Critical to us
being vibrant here in downtown

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and a little north of downtown.

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Downtown runs on people.

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On small businesses, on ideas.

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And our downtown
activation plan,

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that I'm very proud
of the planning

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that we did,

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but most importantly
the implementation as well.

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And I want to thank our
Office of Economic Development

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and that regard as well.

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We are making progress
again to make downtown safe,

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thriving, vibrant, and critical
neighborhood for residents,

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workers and visitors alike.

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So, the first piece
of legislation

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we'll be signing this morning

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will help fill
vacant storefronts by expanding

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ground level commercial uses.

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Which will in effect
boost our economy

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and activate our streets
with more people.

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In this particular facility,
again in the biotech space,

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we couldn't be more excited.

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This will broaden the pull of
tenants for ground floor spaces

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and allowing more entrepreneurs,

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and free thinkers
and small business owners

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to call downtown Seattle home.

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And we actively recruit
these types of tenants

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and we're excited
about what we're seeing.

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New businesses will be allowed
on ground floor areas.

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This will include
medical offices,

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research and development,

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laboratories, food processing,
horticultural operations,

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crafts, manufacturing,
art installations and many more.

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And again I want to thank
SDCI for their wisdom

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in thinking about how
we can think outside of the box.

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And indeed, Chief Operating
Officer Marco Lowe

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and his group
for the housing work.

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The housing ideas that
have come forward in this work.

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The second piece of legislation

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will extend building permits
for projects previously vested

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under our old codes.

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And this will in effect
allow projects to proceed

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without the time and cost
of applying for new permits.

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We think this is
a critical strategy,

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which by extending
these permits,

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it will prevent hopefully
the potential loss

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of 29,000 planned units
of housing.

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Including many affordable
housing units and housing

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projects planned for downtown.

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And you'll from Chris Persons
later.

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And I want to thank Chris
and his organization,

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Community Roots, for doing
the work that they are doing.

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These affordable housing units
and housing

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projects planned for downtown
not only house people,

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which is the
most important thing,

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they also produce
about $13.4 million in sales tax

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and $75 million in MHA fees.

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So it's a win-win scenario

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when we're trying
to do this kind of work.

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So we know that in a challenging
economic environment right now

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and that's why I'm so pleased
to see my department heads here.

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We have a One Seattle
approach trying

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to look at our entire system
and think, what makes sense

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as we deal with some
of our fiscal challenges.

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So, I close by thanking
Councilmember Mark Solomon

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for his leadership in sharing
the land use committee,

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he's been focused on its
expanding economic opportunities

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and creating new housing

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and supporting small businesses
throughout the entire city.

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And of course he's been
with the city for a while,

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making sure,
in the public safety realm,

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things are going along the way,

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he wants to see them as
a crime prevention specialist,

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a subject matter expert.

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And now he uses his expertise
in other areas.

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And so as land use chair,

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council member Solomon
has been strong work

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to get this legislation
over the finish line

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and we look forward
to continuing our with him.

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And I present to you
Councilmember Mark Solomon.

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-Thank you, Mayor Harrell.

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[ Applause ]

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Good morning, everyone.
Thank you for being here.

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I'm happy to be here with you

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today to celebrate
this new piece of legislation.

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Which will help revitalize
key areas of downtown Seattle.

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Today we're introducing new law

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that allows for more flexible
uses of ground floor spaces

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in key areas of our city's
court.

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And this legislation opens
the door for a broader range

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of vital police defining
businesses

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and creative commercial
designed.

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Making it easier
for entrepreneurs,

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scientific research groups
and local vendors

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to bring fresh ideas
to our downtown streets.

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And as we continue recovering
from the impacts COVID-19,

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we know that reestablishing
the character

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of our changing downtown,
is imperative.

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What people want and need from
our city spaces is evolving.

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And this law responds
directly to that shift.

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In a powers property owners

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and small business owners
with more freedom

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to shape their spaces in ways
that serve the community.

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Whether that means a pop-up
shop, or a small restaurant,

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or a ground floor

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which contributes
to the research and development.

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That will alter
how we interact with our world.

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Or even something
we haven't imagined yet.

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Very critically I
want to thank many stakeholders

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who helped shaped this policy
and the SDCI staff

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and the Mayor's staff.

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Who worked extremely hard,

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turning stakeholder feedback
in a new legislation

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to revitalize our downtown.

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I also got to give a shout out
to my policy guy,

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Thaddeus Gregory.

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Who did a heavy, a lot of
heavy lifting on this himself.

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I'm not going to let the fact
that he worked on

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this go unnoticed.

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So, thank you.

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Together we're building
a vibrant downtown.

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It's not just recovering,
but finding new vibrant life.

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And paving the way for a
stronger, more resilient future.

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So, thank you.

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-Thank you
Councilmember Solomon.

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[ Applause ]

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And I also, Nathan
I didn't see you standing there,

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I want to recognize
Nathan Torgelson,

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who is the SDCI Director,

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thank you for your leadership
and your groups leadership.

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Next you'll hear from SungYang,

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I think many of you
know who he is,

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Chair of the Downtown
Seattle Association Board

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and the Principal
at Pacific Public Affairs.

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And has over two decades
of experience

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managing public policy.
Sung every time I introduce you,

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you just omit the part that you
work for the City of Seattle,

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I don't know what
your slow plan is on this here.

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As where I met you.

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A former public servant Sung
has been a champion for arts

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and economic development
in our downtown neighborhoods

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and thank you
for your consistent

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and strong leadership.

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Sung Yang.
-Thank you, Mayor.

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[ Applause ]

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Good morning, everybody.

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I do want to start
by thanking Mayor Harrell

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for this legislation.

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And also for really
his unwavering dedication,

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commitment and hard work.

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Nobody works harder
at making downtown thrive

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than Mayor Harrell and I want to
truly thank him for that.

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I also want to thank
Councilmember Solomon

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for spearheading this effort
at the council

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and for rallying his
colleagues around its approval.

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And everyone else here
in this room

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that brought us
to this really historic occasion

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of the passage of
these two pieces of legislation.

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Downtown's revitalization,

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continued revitalization is
critical for the entire city.

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As the regions economic engine

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what happens in the core
of Seattle,

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radiates far beyond
its footprint.

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As you walk through
the heart of downtown

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you will see foot traffic
reminiscent

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of pre-pandemic times.

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And many of our public spaces
full of activity and vibrancy.

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But far too many
of our storefronts remain empty

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and that doesn't send a message

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that matches
with the trajectory and reality

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of downtown's upper trajectory.

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This legislation will help
fill vacant ground floor spaces

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in downtown neighborhoods.

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Filling gaps
in our urban fabric,

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producing even more activity
on our streets.

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And driving our
revitalization efforts forward.

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Downtown needs to have
a diversity of businesses

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to serve its diverse population
of residents,

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workers and visitors.

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By allowing new business types
to be located,

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here, we are also
creating opportunities

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for entrepreneurs
to call downtown home.

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And setting up shop,

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downtown should feel
like an attainable goal.

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Here today at a new state of
the art life sciences facility

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we are recognizing
how our downtown is also a hub

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for research and development.

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A critical industry in our city,

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that can now expand
to ground floor spaces

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under this legislation.

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Downtown has made a tremendous
comeback over the last few years

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under the Mayor's activation
plan, Mayor's leadership,

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the work of the council

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and of the Downtown
Seattle Association.

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Data from Downtown
Seattle Association downtown's

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revitalization dashboard
shows that in March

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we saw a post-pandemic high of
nearly 101,000 workers downtown

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on an average per day.

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In the third month of Amazon's
return to five days a week

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in the office,
the South Lake Union,

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in the Denny Regrade
neighborhood,

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saw daily worker foot traffic
of nearly 48,000.

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Numbers that are trending closer
to pre-pandemic conditions.

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And in a significant,
significant development,

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local visitors
and these are people

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who live within 10 miles
of downtown

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are coming to the center city
at an increasing rate.

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In fact,

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in March 2025
the number of local visitors

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to downtown
surpassed pre-pandemic levels.

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So working with the city
and our partners,

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we will continue this momentum

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and we're excited to welcome
new business to downtown.

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Thank you very much.

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-Thank you, Sung.

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[ Applause ]

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Thank you, Sung.

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Next you're going to hear
from Alex Aigner,

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who is the Executive Vice
President of Development

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00:11:45,772 --> 00:11:47,774
at Lincoln Property Company.

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00:11:47,774 --> 00:11:49,843
Overseeing the firms
redevelopment projects

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00:11:49,843 --> 00:11:54,548
throughout Washington and Oregon
including right here at 225th.

258
00:11:54,548 --> 00:11:56,183
And Lincoln's
development pipeline

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00:11:56,183 --> 00:11:57,918
in the pacific northwest

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00:11:57,918 --> 00:12:00,487
includes over 1,500
multi-family units.

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00:12:00,487 --> 00:12:03,924
And more than 500,000
square feet of commercial,

262
00:12:03,924 --> 00:12:06,193
retail and life
science developments.

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00:12:06,193 --> 00:12:08,762
This is the, Lincoln's
exactly the kind of company

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00:12:08,762 --> 00:12:10,797
we recruit
and we want to stay here,

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00:12:10,797 --> 00:12:12,533
because there is such a vital,

266
00:12:12,533 --> 00:12:14,201
they play such a vital role
in our success.

267
00:12:14,201 --> 00:12:15,769
Alex, please take the mic.

268
00:12:15,769 --> 00:12:18,172
-Thank you. Good morning.

269
00:12:18,172 --> 00:12:21,408
Thank you Mayor Harrell
and Councilmember Solomon.

270
00:12:21,408 --> 00:12:23,544
Thank you for everyone
involved at the city

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00:12:23,544 --> 00:12:26,413
for all your hard work to push
this legislation through.

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00:12:26,413 --> 00:12:28,148
Thank you to Ian Morrison,

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00:12:28,148 --> 00:12:31,151
our Land Use Council
at McCullough Hill Leary

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00:12:31,151 --> 00:12:33,320
for all the hard work
that you've done as well.

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00:12:33,320 --> 00:12:35,322
My name is Alex Aigner,

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00:12:35,322 --> 00:12:38,659
I am an Executive Vice President
at Lincoln Property Company.

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00:12:38,659 --> 00:12:40,260
And with our partners,

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00:12:40,260 --> 00:12:42,729
Intercontinental
Real Estate Corporation,

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00:12:42,729 --> 00:12:47,134
we developed, own and manage
this life science building.

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00:12:47,134 --> 00:12:51,071
We want to express our sincere
appreciation to the Mayor

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00:12:51,071 --> 00:12:52,973
and to Council Solomon
for your leadership

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00:12:52,973 --> 00:12:55,843
in passing
this important legislation.

283
00:12:55,843 --> 00:12:59,046
By expanding the types
of street level uses permitted

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00:12:59,046 --> 00:13:00,981
in our buildings,

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00:13:00,981 --> 00:13:03,550
you're helping unlock
opportunities for innovation,

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00:13:03,550 --> 00:13:07,588
activation and connection
in key parts of our city.

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00:13:07,588 --> 00:13:10,791
This is a kind of
regulatory flexibility,

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00:13:10,791 --> 00:13:14,828
it's exactly what we need
right now to bring new life

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00:13:14,828 --> 00:13:18,599
into our ground floor spaces.
These uses attract foot traffic,

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00:13:18,599 --> 00:13:22,703
create jobs and contribute
to a more engaging

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00:13:22,703 --> 00:13:24,938
and walkable urban experience.

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00:13:24,938 --> 00:13:27,574
At 225th
we're matching the city's

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00:13:27,574 --> 00:13:30,310
forward thinking policy
by reimagining

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00:13:30,310 --> 00:13:32,145
how space can be used.

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00:13:32,145 --> 00:13:33,647
So we've launched CoLabs,

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00:13:33,647 --> 00:13:36,016
a biotech incubator designed

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00:13:36,016 --> 00:13:39,786
to support early stage life
science companies in Seattle.

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00:13:39,786 --> 00:13:43,056
Through CoLabs
we provide flexible lab space

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00:13:43,056 --> 00:13:46,460
and operational support
to help startups grow,

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00:13:46,460 --> 00:13:49,096
attract investment and scale.

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00:13:49,096 --> 00:13:53,567
Our goal is to ensure the next
generation of biotech companies,

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00:13:53,567 --> 00:13:55,502
not only start in Seattle,

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00:13:55,502 --> 00:13:57,938
but grow here and thrive here.

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00:13:57,938 --> 00:14:01,108
And help position Seattle
as a key hub in the nation

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00:14:01,108 --> 00:14:02,910
for medical research.

306
00:14:02,910 --> 00:14:05,179
Thank you again Mayor
and Councilman

307
00:14:05,179 --> 00:14:07,981
for taking this bold
and thoughtful action.

308
00:14:07,981 --> 00:14:12,419
This legislation is a meaningful
step to a more vibrant,

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00:14:12,419 --> 00:14:14,621
resilient and inclusive
downtown.

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00:14:14,621 --> 00:14:17,090
And Lincoln Property Company
and Intercontinental

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00:14:17,090 --> 00:14:18,659
are proud to be a part of it.

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00:14:18,659 --> 00:14:20,127
-Thank you, Alex.

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00:14:20,127 --> 00:14:21,828
[ Applause ]

314
00:14:25,365 --> 00:14:26,834
Next our closer.

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00:14:29,069 --> 00:14:32,406
Do you remember the show,
this is bad, this here's 222,

316
00:14:32,406 --> 00:14:34,408
do you remember
the show Room 222?

317
00:14:34,408 --> 00:14:35,409
Do any of you remember that?

318
00:14:35,409 --> 00:14:37,377
-I do.

319
00:14:37,377 --> 00:14:39,346
-You are, you and I are
the only ones to remember that.

320
00:14:39,346 --> 00:14:41,582
You remember it too,
okay, it was a popular show,

321
00:14:41,582 --> 00:14:44,117
I was going to try
to weave that into the room.

322
00:14:44,117 --> 00:14:45,385
Okay, so that's what
I first thought of

323
00:14:45,385 --> 00:14:46,653
when I saw that address.

324
00:14:46,653 --> 00:14:48,522
-I was very young.

325
00:14:48,522 --> 00:14:51,925
-You were very, I was
in college, no I'm just kidding.

326
00:14:51,925 --> 00:14:54,461
So as many of you know
because the great work

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00:14:54,461 --> 00:14:56,296
that Christopher
and his organizations done,

328
00:14:56,296 --> 00:14:59,766
he's the CEO of Community
Roots Housing since 2007

329
00:14:59,766 --> 00:15:02,569
and he's led the organization
through significant growth.

330
00:15:02,569 --> 00:15:05,472
And many award winning
housing projects and.

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00:15:05,472 --> 00:15:07,641
We know he'll be retiring
later this year

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00:15:07,641 --> 00:15:09,409
and we want to thank
you Christopher,

333
00:15:09,409 --> 00:15:11,778
you're just untiring
energy and commitment

334
00:15:11,778 --> 00:15:13,614
to affordable housing

335
00:15:13,614 --> 00:15:15,649
and a strong partnership
with the city of Seattle.

336
00:15:15,649 --> 00:15:18,285
And all the work you've done to
address housing affordability.

337
00:15:18,285 --> 00:15:20,654
So closer, Chris, take us home.

338
00:15:20,654 --> 00:15:21,922
Alright.
-Thank you, Mayor.

339
00:15:21,922 --> 00:15:23,824
[ Applause ]

340
00:15:26,326 --> 00:15:27,427
Thank you, all.

341
00:15:27,427 --> 00:15:29,062
Again, my names is
Chris Persons,

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00:15:29,062 --> 00:15:31,632
I'm the CEO
of Community Roots Housing.

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00:15:31,632 --> 00:15:36,303
We own and operate
46 properties in Seattle

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00:15:36,303 --> 00:15:40,374
comprising almost 2,000
affordable apartments.

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00:15:40,374 --> 00:15:44,077
We also have three
new projects under construction

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00:15:44,077 --> 00:15:47,481
today comprising
nearly 400 more.

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00:15:47,481 --> 00:15:50,417
And our future development
pipeline includes

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00:15:50,417 --> 00:15:53,253
more than 700 additional homes.

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00:15:53,253 --> 00:15:55,756
Community Roots Housing
has been developing

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00:15:55,756 --> 00:15:58,225
and operating affordable
multi-family properties

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00:15:58,225 --> 00:16:00,561
in Seattle for 50 years.

352
00:16:00,561 --> 00:16:05,232
And every year it gets harder
and more expensive.

353
00:16:05,232 --> 00:16:09,169
I tell, if you've got IT
professionals that work for you,

354
00:16:09,169 --> 00:16:12,372
or an IT team
this might resonate with you.

355
00:16:12,372 --> 00:16:17,845
I tell my IT director, who I
love, I tell him, all the time,

356
00:16:17,845 --> 00:16:21,548
just make it easier
for me to do work.

357
00:16:21,548 --> 00:16:26,053
All I want to do is work
and get my job done.

358
00:16:26,053 --> 00:16:29,289
As a prominent
affordable housing developer,

359
00:16:29,289 --> 00:16:32,526
all I want to do is
build more affordable housing.

360
00:16:32,526 --> 00:16:35,062
Make it easier
for us to do our work.

361
00:16:35,062 --> 00:16:37,865
And that's what
this legislation does.

362
00:16:37,865 --> 00:16:41,401
Thank you to City Council
and Mayor Harrell

363
00:16:41,401 --> 00:16:45,606
for making this no-nonsense
legislation happen.

364
00:16:45,606 --> 00:16:48,108
By allowing
Community Roots projects

365
00:16:48,108 --> 00:16:52,346
that have temporarily stalled
due to pandemic related delays.

366
00:16:52,346 --> 00:16:55,115
To allow these projects
to move forward

367
00:16:55,115 --> 00:16:58,185
under the very stringent
energy codes,

368
00:16:58,185 --> 00:17:00,487
they were already designed for,

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00:17:00,487 --> 00:17:04,758
saves us millions of dollars in
redesign and development costs.

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00:17:04,758 --> 00:17:07,394
And allows our projects
to move forward.

371
00:17:07,394 --> 00:17:09,997
Ensuring that affordable housing
will be delivered

372
00:17:09,997 --> 00:17:12,065
to low income communities.

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00:17:12,065 --> 00:17:14,968
Seattle remains one
of the most environmentally

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00:17:14,968 --> 00:17:17,237
sustainable city's
in the country.

375
00:17:17,237 --> 00:17:19,273
The buildings

376
00:17:19,273 --> 00:17:21,108
that Community Roots Housing
has developed based on a 2015

377
00:17:21,108 --> 00:17:24,578
and 2018 codes are greener

378
00:17:24,578 --> 00:17:28,382
and more energy efficient
than at any time in history.

379
00:17:28,382 --> 00:17:29,416
And they all

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00:17:29,416 --> 00:17:30,784
comply with stringent

381
00:17:30,784 --> 00:17:32,553
Washington State Evergreen

382
00:17:32,553 --> 00:17:35,455
Sustainable Development
Standards.

383
00:17:35,455 --> 00:17:39,293
As we continue to work together
to resolve the housing crisis

384
00:17:39,293 --> 00:17:41,295
in our city,

385
00:17:41,295 --> 00:17:45,265
I look forward to continuing to
work closely with Mayor Harrell,

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00:17:45,265 --> 00:17:49,570
the City Council
and the entire city.

387
00:17:49,570 --> 00:17:52,806
To rapidly develop
affordable housing,

388
00:17:52,806 --> 00:17:56,109
while never compromising on our
commitment to sustainability.

389
00:17:56,109 --> 00:17:57,878
Thank you.
-Thank you, Chris.

390
00:17:57,878 --> 00:18:01,815
[ Applause ]

391
00:18:01,815 --> 00:18:03,550
Thank you, Chris.

392
00:18:03,550 --> 00:18:04,751
So we're going to sign
some legislation.

393
00:18:04,751 --> 00:18:06,520
And I want to,

394
00:18:06,520 --> 00:18:08,555
again, thank you
for the community leaders and

395
00:18:08,555 --> 00:18:13,393
housing leaders in potential
tenants doing this great work.

396
00:18:13,393 --> 00:18:15,796
And particularly
our departments here.

397
00:18:15,796 --> 00:18:18,131
Our One Seattle Approach
you're going to see right

398
00:18:18,131 --> 00:18:22,703
where we need it to be,
which is vibrant, active, fun,

399
00:18:22,703 --> 00:18:24,705
joyful on a great day.

400
00:18:24,705 --> 00:18:26,206
So thank you for being here,

401
00:18:26,206 --> 00:18:29,276
and let's sign some legislation
so I can -- Pass me some pens.

402
00:18:29,276 --> 00:18:30,577
Okay.

403
00:18:51,031 --> 00:18:53,000
-Right here, Mayor.
One, two, and three.

404
00:18:53,000 --> 00:18:55,269
One, two, and three.
Thank you.

405
00:19:24,097 --> 00:19:25,232
-Yay!

406
00:19:25,232 --> 00:19:27,267
[ Cheers and applause ]