Seattle, too, has an official neighborhood partnership program with a Department of Neighbourhoods supporting neighborhood associations across the city, loosely organized into 13 Districts. A Council of Neighbourhoods comprised of one resident and one business representative from each District is also in place.
Neighborhood Associations define their own boundaries and there are no maximum or minimum population figures for inclusion. There are no organizational requirements of neighborhood groups: "the legitimacy (of the group) comes from the neighborhood." Neighborhood Associations report directly to Council or city administrators.
The city maintains a physical presence in the 13 districts by providing 13 Neighbourhood Service Centres; 7 of these also serve as collection points for tax collection.
City council members are elected on an at-large basis.
Scope of Activities
Seattle's neighbourhood associations get deeply involved in economic development and neighbourhood re-vitalization projects. For example, Neighbourhood Associations were responsible for initiating an Education Summit on education, social and community services and public health. The Summit brought in labour representatives, parents, religious leaders and others, (3500 in all) for 30 full days of meetings. Problems were identified along with responsible parties and resources. The Summit also identified a role for the City. A package was put together for a levy seeking $65 million for the city to establish family support centres, health clinics, etc. The levy won overwhelming approval.
The range of volunteer neighborhood improvement projects is extensive.
To date, there is no method for including neighborhood associations in approving zoning changes or development applications. A proposal is being considered which would see neighbourhoods developing their own design guidelines and doing design review. The idea is that developers would work with neighbourhoods at an early stage to resolve issues. The additional time required to work co-operatively with the neighbourhoods would be compensated for by avoiding costly re-designs and lost opportunities.
Neighbourhoods go through a needs assessment every year to set priorities.
Requests for services from the city go to the appropriate department. The department must respond to the request. Three out of four requests are responded to positively.
Resources
The thirteen District Councils are provided an office and one full time Neighborhood Service Centre Coordinator (NSCC). The NSCC facilitates training by matching leaders or experts from one neighborhood with developing individuals or groups.
The NSCC also forms 'round tables' with other civic staff and service providers and neighbourhood residents to address problems and issues.
A one-time Neighborhood Matching Fund grant is available to neighbourhoods for an improvement project or for community organizing.
The city will cover the costs of printing one newsletter per year if the neighborhood will distribute it.
History and Comments
The Seattle neighbourhood participation program has "evolved organically over the past 10 years." The original impetus was largely growth pressures, especially in the north end. Seattle looked to St. Paul, Atlanta and San Diego for models in neighborhood planning. They felt that neighbourhoods weren't enough of a priority and that too much focus was placed on downtown.
All of the activities of the Department of Neighbourhoods are aimed at capacity building or organizational development in the neighbourhoods. Wherever possible residents are used to train other residents.
Seattle is the only city in this survey that identified growth pressures and neighbourhood change as an early impetus to the initiative. Most cities in the east and mid-west have experienced population declines in city neighbourhoods.
Seattle shares an emphasis on crime and public safety with other cities surveyed.
Contact: Seattle's Department of Neighborhoods
New Ways of Governing
The Citizen's Handbook / Charles Dobson / www.vcn.bc.ca/citizens-handbook
