Seattle – On Thursday, May 18, 2023, Mayor Bruce Harrell will sign legislation to renew and expand the Metropolitan Improvement District (MID) after it was unanimously passed (7-0) by the Seattle City Council. A core component of Mayor Harrell’s Downtown Activation Plan, the expanded MID will support cleaning and beautification initiatives, safety and hospitality services, art installations, events and activations, research and economic development, transportation and commuting services, and security.
To fund services downtown, the MID will collect $18 million in ratepayer assessments. Established in 1999, the MID is one of 11 Business Improvement Areas (BIA) in Seattle and is managed by the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA). The MID offers a range of services across downtown neighborhoods, including Belltown, the Denny Regrade, the Retail Core, Pioneer Square, the Waterfront, West Edge, and, as a result of Mayor Harrell’s legislation, extended service boundaries including part of the stadium area.
The signing will be recorded and available to watch on the Seattle Channel after the event.
| WHEN | 10:00 a.m. — Thursday, May 18, 2023. |
| WHO | Mayor Bruce Harrell City Councilmember Sara Nelson City Councilmember Andrew Lewis Jon Scholes, President & CEO of Downtown Seattle Association Lisa Nitze, MID Ratepayer Advisory Board Chair Avery Barns, Owner of TASWIRA Cherrie Truncer, DSA Ambassador |
| WHAT | Bill signing and media event. |
