City of Seattle Government

Festival Sundiata presents Black Arts Fest Join us for a citywide family reunion! Festival Sundiata, the Pacific Northwest’s longest-running African American festival, returns to Seattle Center for an entertainment-packed weekend. Guests of all ages are invited to celebrate the rich tapestry of Black culture and explore the incredible contributions of people of African descent.

Executive Order sets new timeline for priority safety projects, expands proven safety tools, and strengthens coordination across City departments SEATTLE – Mayor Katie B. Wilson today announced an Executive Order to accelerate and strengthen Seattle’s Vision Zero efforts, by advancing priority safety projects, expanding tools to reduce dangerous speeds, and strengthening coordination across City departments.

Nearly 100 community members from across Seattle and King County visited Seattle Municipal Court (SMC)’s Community Resource Day on Aug. 21 at the Rainier Community Center in Columbia City. As in previous years, SMC staff supported attendees with setting up payment plans for Seattle traffic tickets, addressing outstanding warrants, and answering questions related to their court needs.

Pictured left to right: Janis Jordan (Office of Economic Development), Stephen Beimborn (Seattle IT), Philip Carnell (OPCD), Diana Canconeri (OPCD), Harvey Arnone (Seattle IT), Brandy Balansay (Seattle IT), Zinta Smidchens (Seattle IT) and Megan Rose, (OPCD). SEATTLE, WA — The City of Seattle’s Racial and Social Equity (RSE) Index has received the Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) Award from Esri.

Denny Blaine Park serves as a vital park and waterfront space for many of Seattle’s communities, particularly the queer community. Since July 2025, Denny Blaine Park has operated under a court-ordered abatement plan, which is a set of actions required by a court to address specific problems or conditions at a property. The specific plan for Denny Blaine Park established separate clothing-optional and clothing-required areas of the park, with a visual barrier between them.

We recently caught up with Francesca Murnan (Shawnee and Cherokee), former Indigenous Advisory Council (IAC) Liaison for the Department of Neighborhoods (DON) who now serves as the Tribal Relations Director at the Office of Intergovernmental Relations. Learn more about what drew Francesca to DON, her role in launching the IAC, and fostering relationships between Native leaders and local government.

On August 18, community members and City officials, past and present, filled the Seattle City Council Chambers to celebrate the official proclamation of Allynn Ruth Day, honoring her 51 years of public service at the City of Seattle. Allynn grew up in Yesler Terrace and is a proud graduate of Garfield High School and Seattle Pacific University.

Artist Shruti Ghatak chats with a visitor in her exhibition Myths to Mundane. Photo by Marcus Donner. Seattle, WA – The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (OAC) is now accepting applications for 2027 exhibitions in its cultural space and gallery, ARTS at King Street Station.

Many people in our region are facing affordability challenges. At the same time, the cost of providing utility services, including electricity, water, sewer, and garbage, continues to rise. The Utility Discount Program, administered by the Human Services Department, helps income-qualified customers lower their monthly utility bills.

Today, Mayor Katie B. Wilson announced actions outlined in Executive Order 2026‑4 to address housing production and housing affordability. The order is designed to spur both affordable and market‑rate housing by streamlining permitting and launching a Housing Production Task Force to advise her housing agenda. “Housing that people can afford is critical to a city that works for everyone,” said Mayor Wilson.