Seattle, WA

Amazon providing $23M for affordable housing in Seattle

Published

2 years ago

June 23, 2022

Amazon providing $23M for affordable housing in Seattle

SEATTLE (AP) — Amazon stated Thursday it’s offering $23 million to assist minority-led organizations construct or protect greater than 500 new reasonably priced housing models in Seattle — the most recent spending by a tech firm to ease a extreme housing crunch the trade has helped create.

The dedication comes from Amazon’s Housing Fairness Fund, a $2 billion initiative launched in January 2021. The fund has up to now invested greater than $1.2 billion to create or protect over 8,000 reasonably priced houses throughout three areas the place the corporate has workplaces: the Puget Sound in Washington state; Arlington, Virginia; and Nashville, Tennessee.

“When our metropolis’s companies and personal companions step up, like Amazon is doing by way of this important funding, we will speed up progress addressing troublesome challenges like housing affordability,” Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell stated in a information launch asserting the funding.

The excessive salaries tech corporations pay have helped drive up housing prices within the cities the place they function, pricing many individuals, together with lecturers, nurses, firefighters and restaurant workers, out of the communities the place they work.

The trade was lengthy criticized for failing to deal with that, however in recent times tech giants have taken huge steps. In 2019, Apple dedicated $2.5 billion towards reasonably priced housing within the San Francisco Bay Space; Google devoted $1 billion; Microsoft stated it might present $750 million in housing grants and investments within the Puget Sound area; and Fb, now Meta, stated it might spend $1 billion to assist handle the housing disaster in California by creating as much as 20,000 new reasonably priced housing models.

The Amazon Housing Fairness Fund provides grants and low-rate loans to housing suppliers that create or protect reasonably priced houses, with an emphasis on supporting households incomes 30% to 80% of an space’s median revenue.

The brand new investments are the fund’s first in Seattle correct, although it beforehand has put cash towards housing elsewhere within the area, together with close to transit stations in SeaTac and Bellevue.

Catherine Buell, the fund’s director, famous the housing disaster is disproportionately affecting folks of coloration. That was one cause it was vital to work with nonprofit organizations and actual property organizations led by Black, Asian and Hispanic companions.

Amazon is working with three organizations — the Mount Baker Housing Authority, El Centro de la Raza and Gardner World — on 4 housing tasks, totaling 568 models in south Seattle neighborhoods that function giant populations of individuals of coloration and which have quickly gentrified or are susceptible to it.

Three of the 4 tasks concerned can be reasonably priced for these making as much as 60% of the world median revenue — that is $54,350 for a single individual or $77,650 for a household of 4, in line with the Seattle Workplace of Housing. The fourth, a brand new condo constructing by Black-owned Gardner World with 122 models, principally studio and one-bedroom, will serve those that earn as much as 80% of the world median revenue, or $66,750 for a single individual.

Within the information launch asserting the investments, David Tan, govt director of the Mount Baker Housing Authority, referred to as the funding a “game-changer.”

“The Fund is a supply of reasonably priced, affected person capital that provides builders much-needed flexibility in financing our tasks,” Tan stated.

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Seattle, WA

Seattle Seahawks 90-Man Roundup: Will AJ Barner Factor In As a Rookie?

Published

6 hours ago

June 26, 2024

Press Room

Seattle Seahawks 90-Man Roundup: Will AJ Barner Factor In As a Rookie?

The Seattle Seahawks will open training camp at the VMAC in less than a month, officially ushering in the first season under new coach Mike Macdonald.

In preparation for the new incoming season, we’ll be detailing every member of the Seahawks 90-man roster over the next several weeks, diving into scheme fits, exploring best and worst case scenarios and predicting what to expect from each player entering the 2024 campaign.

Will A.J. Barner factor in as a rookie for the Seahawks?

Barner was a three-star recruit out of high school in the 2020 class and committed to Indiana. He spent his first three seasons at Indiana and didn’t see much production despite being active for 30 games. He transferred to Michigan as a four-star transfer portal recruit for his final season in 2023 where he helped the Wolverines win the National Championship. He was the secondary option at tight end for the Wolverines, primarily used as a blocker opposite of potential 2025 first-round pick Colston Loveland. Barner did catch 22 passes for 249 yards and one touchdown, including an impressive 11.3 yards per catch as tight end No. 2. The Seahawks selected Barner in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft to play a similar role.

The way that offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb has called games in the past, Barner theoretically fits in as a blocking TE2 with pass-catching upside. Barner fits that profile perfectly and shows there could be more underneath the surface.

With tight end depth not set in stone, Barner grabs it by the horns during training camp and doesn’t let it go. His size at 6-6 and 251 pounds is prime for the position and he uses it to his advantage in all phases of the game. He is the prime complement to Noah Fant and emerges as a regular rotational player going into 2024.

While the potential is there for Barner to be the next Colby Parkinson, he proves to be too raw and struggles with consistency. Despite having played some of the best competition college football has to offer, NFL defensive linemen give him fits in the running game and he can’t hold onto blocks. Those struggles send him down the depth chart.

Barner is a really intriguing bet to make at tight end. He possesses ample size for the position and more than capable athleticism with an 8.70 Relative Athletic Score. His limited sample size for the position as a pass catcher is one of the main reasons why he was available on day three, but the upside is certainly there.

What should be expected by Seahawks fans with Barner is a player that needs time to develop but will be a capable blocker immediately. He will see most of his action in short-yardage and goal line situations and can be an impactful receiver in the red zone when given the opportunity. Don’t expect much out of him right away, but in 2-3 years, Barner could easily be a major contributor for the Seahawks.

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Seattle, WA

Seattle city attorney, SPD propose new street racing measures to city council

Published

14 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Press Room

Seattle city attorney, SPD propose new street racing measures to city council

SEATTLE – Seattle is at a breaking point as fearless street racers continue to scoff at the law.

City Attorney Ann Davison is determined to change that by proposing hefty fines and making video, including social media posts, admissible as evidence.

“We need to have our laws matter,” Davison said. “With our understaffing with Seattle Police, we need to be smart in how we address this.”

Seattle Police Department street takeover dashcam video

On June 22 and 23, 2024, Seattle Police officers responded to street takeover events in the city.

On Tuesday morning, Davison and leaders with the Seattle Police Department presented their proposal to members of the City Council Public Safety Commission.

Seattle Police report that social media posts often inspire swarms of people to attend these dangerous events. What begins as death-defying donuts often escalates into deadly consequences: gunfire, hit-and-runs and even homicides.

One example of that blatant disregard is Miles Hudson, the man-behind-the-wheel of the infamous “Belltown Hellcat.” Despite a slew of criminal charges, thousands of dollars in fines and constant demands to stop, Hudson continues to post videos of him speeding and revving his souped up car on his Instagram.

Belltown Hellcat exploits WA’s new street racing law

Despite facing two reckless driving charges and over $80,000 in fines, “Belltown Hellcat” driver Miles Hudson is still on the streets and posting new content in his 2023 Dodge Charger.

“I saw how people were laughing at officers because it felt like they couldn’t do anything,” remarked Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth. “I’m assuming people come to Seattle to do it because we don’t have particular laws that prevent this from happening.”

Davison suggests imposing a $500 fine for cars caught spinning out. She also argues that video evidence, including dash or body camera footage and social media content, should be used to prosecute offenders.

During the discussion, Councilmember Rob Saka expressed strong support for following the city of Kent’s lead in criminalizing spectators too. Saka promised to reach out to Kent mayor Dana Ralph to learn more.

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To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX 13 Seattle newsletter.

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Seattle, WA

Here are the dates and times for the Seahawks’ 2024 training camp!

Published

21 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Press Room

Here are the dates and times for the Seahawks’ 2024 training camp!

The waiting is almost over! We’re one month away from the the first Seattle Seahawks training camp under new head coach Mike Macdonald. The team has announced the schedule and start times for the public practices, all but one of which will be held at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center (VMAC) in Renton. There’s a special scrimmage/mock game at Lumen Field as part of the team’s annual Football Fan Fest.

All training camp practices begin at 1 PM PT except for the Aug. 5 session, which is a “rise and shine!” 9:45 AM start.

Seahawks 2024 training camp dates

Wednesday, July 24 – Season Ticket Holder Day (and their guests)

Friday, July 26 – Back Together Weekend

Saturday, July 27 – Back Together Weekend

Tuesday, July 30 – Kids Day

Thursday, Aug. 1 – Season Ticket Holder Day (and their guests)

Friday, Aug. 2 – College and Alumni Day

Saturday, Aug. 3 – Football Fan Fest at Lumen Field (mock game)

Monday, Aug. 5 – Kids Day (9:45 AM)

Wednesday, Aug. 7 – Mascot Mayhem Day

Thursday, Aug. 8 – Throwbacks Day

As our own John P. Gilbert noted last week, Seahawks rookies report to camp on July 17, followed by veterans on July 23.

Do you want to go to Seahawks training camp? Go to the official team registration site here and follow the steps to get your free (but limited availability) tickets. There is a $15 transportation fee per person to attend the VMAC practices, since fans will be shuttled to the facility. Again, cell phones and cameras are not permitted during practice, but will be allowed before and after.

Paid tickets for the mock game are on sale now and start at an appropriate $12. If you can’t attend, there are YouTube live streams provided by the Seahawks, although don’t expect actual training camp plays and scrimmages to be shown.

Are you planning on attending any of these practices? Let us know in the comments!

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