After Aug. 5 Primary, Some South End Voters Prioritize Housing, Transportation Safety

As voters in District 2 prepare to welcome a new rep for their district and possibly a new mayor, some key issues — from housing density to pedestrian safety — are on the front of their minds. 

Adonis Ducksworth, Senior Transportation Policy and Operations Manager in Mayor Bruce Harrell’s office, and Eddie Lin, Assistant City Attorney for the Office of Housing, remain in the running for District 2’s city council seat after the Aug. 5 primaries. 

This year’s primary elections resulted in a big lead for progressive candidates in the Seattle area ahead of the November general election. In the South End, Lin took the lead in the packed District 2 city council race with 46 percent, with Ducksworth in second at 30 percent as of Aug. 7. Community activist Jeanie Chunn took third with 12.7 percent, while union steward Jamie Feckler came in last at 10.6 percent.

In the mayoral race, Katie Wilson took the lead against current Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell at 48 percent, while Erika Evans led Ann Davison in the race for city attorney at 53 percent.

Lin and Ducksworth will go head-to-head in November to replace the seat previously held for five years by Tammy Morales, now being occupied by appointed member Mark Solomon. 

Last month, the South Seattle Emerald held a primary debate with District 2 candidates. Some attendees filled out a survey, and on Aug 7, the Emerald emailed them to ask which issues were important to them.

Affordable Housing and Housing Density

For District 2 residents Melissa Falcon and Mary Peters, the South End is taking on too much of the city’s affordable housing ahead of the proposed Comprehensive Plan.

“Every neighborhood in Seattle should be contributing to all types of housing, not just the South End,” Falcon wrote in an email. “The Comprehensive Plan needs to be as ambitious as possible to make sure housing options exist across the city for all income levels.”

Peters wrote in an email that the concentrated housing density will bring on “more traffic, more crime and more insensitivity to the neighborhood.” 

“We are losing backyards, even outside balconies,” Peters wrote. “Building 3 [to] 4 million [dollar] houses on one lot is not helping with ‘housing’ but breaking down the pleasantness of having a home, not just a place to live.”

Public Services

Another District 2 voter in Rainier Beach, Justina Guyott, not only favors an “equitable distribution” of affordable and low-income housing across the city, but wants more public services, like community centers, parks and libraries, to accommodate “said housing and density,” she wrote.

Guyott wrote that we need more investment in youth development in “mentoring and apprenticeships, civics, health and arts programming.” 

Public Safety, and Pedestrian and Traffic Safety

For voter Jillian Altizer, safety is her number-one priority in the coming election.

“And that doesn't mean more police officers,” Altizer wrote. “We need [well-lit] streets, trash dumps removed, welcoming third places, youth employment and activity opportunities.”

Both Altizer and Falcon want candidates to focus on pedestrian and traffic safety, specifically on busy roads like Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Lake Washington Boulevard. Falcon referenced a 16-year-old who was fatally struck by a car on Lake Washington Boulevard on June 7.

“D2 neighbors continue to be hurt or killed by reckless, entitled drivers, and nothing changes,” Falcon wrote. “Our streets remain dangerous because it appears there is little willingness from city leadership to redesign them to prioritize people over cars.”

Ducksworth is endorsed by The Seattle Times. On Ducksworth’s campaign website, he says,  “I’m running to be a voice for you on City Council and advocate for our priorities, values, and commitment to safety, affordability, and welcoming communities. Like many of my neighbors, I am frustrated by the lack of response– and proactive action– we experience from City Hall.”

Lin is endorsed by The Stranger. According to his campaign site, he says, “Everyone in our community deserves to feel safe, to have an affordable place to live, and good schools for their kids. I'm running to ensure City Hall listens to our needs and taxes wealthy corporations to fund the essential services we rely on.”