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Chef Tamara Murphy, of Capitol Hill's Terra Plata, passed away at 63 after suffering a severe stroke. Known for her belief in food's power to unite people, Murphy significantly impacted Seattle's dining scene, particularly through her restaurant's community focus. Terra Plata will celebrate her life at a later date.
Enter the 2024 Guardian Dog Pack Giveaway, hosted by Guardian Roofing and KIRO Newsradio, by submitting photos of your pets until December 31, 2024. Monthly winners will receive a Dog Pack filled with treats, toys, and gift cards, celebrating the bond between pets and their owners while fostering community engagement.
Gong cha Tea plans to open a new café at 1122 E Pike in Capitol Hill, marking its first expansion on the West Coast. The brand, which operates over 2,000 locations worldwide, will replace the recently closed fashion boutique Sway and Cake. The new café will face stiff competition from both established local tea shops and other global brands.
The Seattle City Council has approved a pilot program to expand jail services by allowing 20 additional misdemeanor detainees to be housed at the South Correctional Entity (SCORE). This decision aims to address the significant reduction in jail capacity available through the King County Jail, which has been impacted by staffing shortages. Councilmembers emphasized the need for a multifaceted approach to public safety, combining enforcement with support services.
Seattle City Councilmember Maritza Rivera expressed disappointment in Mayor Bruce Harrell's new policy requiring executive branch employees to work in-person three days a week, while front-line workers have been on-site five days a week during the pandemic. Rivera argues that this discrepancy is inequitable and emphasizes the need for high-quality services to Seattle residents. She remains committed to pushing for a minimum of four in-person workdays for all city employees.
Seattle City Councilmember Tammy J. Morales is advocating for the Council to vote on Initiative 137, which aims to fund affordable housing through a tax on high-earning employers. Morales emphasizes the importance of voting in the November election compared to February and warns that delaying the vote could undermine democratic participation. More than 25,000 signatures were collected to place the initiative on the ballot.
Seattle City Councilmember Cathy Moore has introduced new legislation to combat commercial sexual exploitation and the related gun violence in the Aurora Avenue area. The legislation aims to provide law enforcement with new tools to tackle the issue while prioritizing diversion for those engaged in prostitution. The initiative comes in response to a significant increase in gun violence linked to the sex trade, affecting local schools and communities.
Construction has commenced on a seven-story mixed-use development near Chop Suey and Madison Pub in Seattle, with a projected opening in summer 2026. The Tanager Apartments will feature 138 units, commercial space at street level, and underground parking, contributing to a growing trend of midrise developments in the area. The project aims to provide market-rate housing alongside affordable units under the city’s Multi-Family Tax Exemption program.
Revival, a vintage shop in Capitol Hill, has successfully navigated challenges from burglaries and redevelopment pressures. The store's resilience highlights the ongoing transformation of the neighborhood.
Capitol Hill's 15th Ave E QFC block redevelopment could feature a six-story mixed-use building pending city approval. The project includes 172 residential units and nearly 10,000 square feet of commercial space, with plans to preserve a significant European hornbeam tree. A design review is delayed until September, following community opposition regarding zoning changes.