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As the summer ends, we sincerely thank all our donors for your investment in beautifying Magnolia Village. Seeing so many enjoy the seating and cascading hanging flower baskets during special events, the weekly Farmer’s Markets, and every day and evening is incredibly gratifying. The vibrancy of our neighborhood’s definitive business district has been vastly improved by the streetscape enhancements you have helped to make possible.
Because you support the Reimagine Magnolia beautification efforts, we share some news.
In late July, the Magnolia Chamber of Commerce became aware of the proposed redistricting of the Seattle Council Districts. Redistricting is the redrawing of districts for each government body that uses district elections. Through a City Charter-mandated process, the Redistricting Commission oversees drawing new maps for the Seattle City Council districts. The five-member Commission was appointed and is charged with ensuring each district has about the same number of people, among other requirements. They rely on census data, established rules, technical expertise, and public input to create the new City Council district maps.
In early August, the Commission released a proposed map that has split Magnolia into two different City Council districts; the northwestern half of Magnolia will be in District 6, and the southeastern half will be in a newly redrawn District 7. Of particular interest, the proposed map splits Magnolia Village between Districts 6 and 7. Businesses in the Village located west of 34th Ave W. and on either side of West McGraw are currently proposed to be in two council districts. Businesses on the north side of West McGraw will be District 6, and those on the south side of West McGraw will be District 7.
Click here to learn more about the Redistricting Commission and the redistricting process.
The Reimagine Magnolia Village team enjoys a great working relationship with the city of Seattle. We regularly collaborate with multiple city departments as we implement streetscape improvements in Magnolia Village. We have received funding grants from the Department of Neighborhoods and deeply appreciate their ongoing support for the beautification project. We have kept our Council member Andrew Lewis updated on progress and work with him as needed to navigate the city and its approval processes. As we enter the final two stages of the project, we are concerned that if the Commission proposal to split Magnolia Village into two council districts stays as is, we will need to work with two city council members to seek synergies between two elected officials on streetscape improvements and maintenance in Magnolia Village.
This is a potential frustration we are working to avoid, and we need your support.
Redistricting should not split communities and identifiable business districts like the Village. The location of City Council district lines decides which voters vote for which Seattle Council member and changes the communities each district must work with. For example, the Magnolia portion proposed in District 6 will now be aligned with Ballard, Fremont, Green Lake, and Phinney Ridge. The part of Magnolia in the newly drawn District 7 will be aligned with Queen Anne and downtown interests. Splitting Magnolia and Magnolia Village into two separate council districts will change the relevant voters' and the council members' identity, allegiance, and political priorities. The proposed fracturing of Magnolia could also result in council members being less accountable to our neighborhood and avoiding responsibility when challenges occur.
Please join us in contacting the Commission and ask the members to keep Magnolia and Magnolia Village in one council district and aligned with Queen Anne. We provide suggested talking points and other information to help you quickly access the Commission and provide your comments. The Commission will hold two public forums before their November 15th redistricting deadline, pending approval at an open public meeting on September 6th.
To learn more and take action, click on https://www.seattle.gov/redistricting/how-to-participate. Thank you for your ongoing support of the Reimagine Magnolia Village and our neighborhood.
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