Form Follows Zoning
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russellme.bsky.social
Form Follows Zoning
@russellme.bsky.social
Landscape Architect, Arborist, urbanist & transit nerd, member of Seattle's School Traffic Safety Committee
Reposted by Form Follows Zoning
Well said. The school board under Liza Rankin’s SOFG governance model has become a rubber stamp that just sits there while SPS admins do actual harm to students.

Will the new board repeal SOFG? They said they would on the campaign trail.
Janis White telling the school board off for not reigning the district in. The district asked for a new trial. The district needs to be accountable.
November 20, 2025 at 1:31 AM
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Just saying I guess, even when you do ALL THE THINGS RIGHT places where kids are more likely to exist, such as near parks and schools, need to be designed so that even if a 2-year-old darts into the street THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN. Slow the fucking cars down.
November 17, 2025 at 9:26 PM
No more deaths for historic 'preservation'. Please sign this petition to make Gas Works Park safe. tinyurl.com/mwakbjnj
Gas Works Public Safety Plan: Join the "Community Supporter" List!
On Wednesday, October 15th, The City of Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board rejected a proposal by Seattle Parks & Recreation to make the Gas Works structure safer, because it would alter the esthetics of the historical landmark. (Axios Seattle article). Parks & Recreation's proposal was very logical and clear in its goals: Specifically remove “Pedestrian Appurtenances” that are designed to convey human beings vertically and horizontally along the towers, designed for the purposes of maintaining/servicing and operating the former gas works facility. The working assumption is that these appurtenances provide platforms and access for graffiti and have been accessed by trespassers to climb the towers, notwithstanding fencing and signage. Falls have occurred resulting in serious injury and death. Removing the appurtenances will eliminate them as a means of access, promoting public health and safety. SPR’s plan to remove only the pedestrian appurtenances, and the one pipe that extends beyond the fence, is in keeping with Rich Haag’s vision (original park planner, c. 1975) to preserve the towers as the monolithic representation of the historic gas works. SPR is proposing to remove elements from the towers consistent with Rich’s acknowledgement that structures would be modified for public safety. Full Seattle Parks & Rec proposal here. Since 2008, fifteen (15) reported fall incidents have occurred – 14 of which were responded to by the Seattle Fire Department per their records as follows: 2008 Injuries 2009 Life threatening injuries 2012 Dead 2012 Multiple fractures 2013 Head and liver life threatening injuries 2014 Multiple fractures 2015 Head and internal life-threatening injuries 2016 Multiple fractures 2019 Significant injuries 2022 Dead 2023 Brain injured 2024 Significant injuries 2025 Dead On October 28th, the family of Mattheis Johnson (who died in July after falling 50ft from one of the towers) sued the City of Seattle to ask a Judge to declare the Gas works structures a legal "nuisance" which would force the City to move forward with abatement and a public apology to those impacted by these preventable deaths and falls. The law firm is doing this for FREE and the family are not suing for financial compensation, but for PUBLIC SAFETY. As concerned Seattle residents and parents who do not want to see another fatality or near fatal incident occur because of the Gas Works Park structures, we are reaching out to ask for your support in a few ways. 1) Build a list of "Community Supporters" who endorse the Seattle Parks & Rec plan to increase public health and safety of the beloved Gas Works park. 2) When you join this list, you are agreeing to share your name, email and district publicly with elected city officials (including those on the City Council, Seattle Parks & Rec and the Mayor's office), and appointed Board members of Landmark Preservation Board. 3) If you don't want to share your name and email publicly, please answer the OPT OUT question below but OPT IN to further communications from this public campaign. THANK YOU! Melissa Riddington & Roisin McGlynn
tinyurl.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:42 PM
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This race could come down to your vote! As of yesterday, we were just 91 votes ahead. Additional votes will be counted today.

Do your part and check on your ballot with King County ASAP: info.kingcounty.gov/kcelections/...
November 11, 2025 at 5:45 PM
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Katie Wilson saw in the strong victory for Prop 1A (social housing) a rejection of Bruce Harrell, who featured prominently in the ads for the competing measure, Prop 1B. When other big names refused to run, assuming wrongly that Harrell was a shoo-in, Wilson saw an opportunity and took it.
November 11, 2025 at 5:47 AM
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🚨 BREAKING 🚨 Katie Wilson now leads incumbent Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell in today's ballot drop by 91 votes.

She has closed a Harrell lead that was as large as 8 points in early results.
November 11, 2025 at 12:02 AM
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I'm the spouse of an air traffic controller and I could not be more livid at the news that Dems might cave. I called and left voicemails for my Dem senators. If my family can hold the fucking line, so can they.
November 9, 2025 at 11:32 PM
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If I am not mistaken, because restricting housing supply has direct implication on homelessness, our Mayor can use this declaration to eliminate design review and landmarking powers in 72-hours without environmental review or traditional outreach. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Mayor, county exec declare ‘state of emergency’ over homelessness
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and King County Executive Dow Constantine declared states of emergency, promising more expenditures and more services.
www.seattletimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Reposted by Form Follows Zoning
Petition from the families of young folks who have recently died on the Gasworks Parks structures pushing back against the Landmarks Preservation Board for rejecting the Parks Dept. plan.
docs.google.com/forms/d/1upW...
Gas Works Public Safety Plan: Join the "Community Supporter" List!
On Wednesday, October 15th, The City of Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board rejected a proposal by Seattle Parks & Recreation to make the Gas Works structure safer, because it would alter the estheti...
docs.google.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:57 PM
The idea that lifting weights at home is important for liberals to fight fascism is one of the stranger takes I've seen. Famously swole fascism opponents like Churchill, Roosevelt, and Woody Guthrie may disagree.
November 7, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Nailed it. "Newsom got his gerrymander. Now what?" www.theargumentmag.com/p/newsom-got...
Newsom got his gerrymander. Now what?
Winning is more than just fighting
www.theargumentmag.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Thanks to former school board director Lisa Rivera Smith for getting this on the record! www.thestranger.com/guest-editor...
Guest Rant: The Stranger Got It Wrong About Sarah Clark
Former Seattle School Board Director Lisa Rivera says we got the candidate in her old seat all wrong.
www.thestranger.com
November 4, 2025 at 1:14 AM
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Can I add "experts are surprised about the fact that Seattleites are concerned about traffic violence after the deadliest year on city roads since 2006" to the list of prime examples of motonormativity?
Seattle University's annual survey on public safety, initiated in 2015, shows how local perceptions of crime, safety and policing have shifted.
Seattle's ‘surprising’ top public-safety concern, according to an annual survey
www.seattletimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:54 PM
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Hopeful news, but it all depends on people ACTUALLY TURNING OUT so if you haven't voted yet please DO.
November 3, 2025 at 1:35 AM
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Still haven't voted? For school board, make sure to vote for Sarah Clark, Joe Mizrahi, and Vivian Song. Yes, all three. They form an anti-austerity bloc and we need all three of them to win to sustain that bloc in power. Two of three isn't enough. @ronpdavis.bsky.social and I explained it here:
Mizrahi, Clark and Song for School Board
By two SPS dads
rondezvouswa.com
November 2, 2025 at 5:39 PM
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I wonder, as Democrats--will matters of character separate us from our MAGA neighbors - or will we hold our leaders to a basic moral standard?
Over on Insta - @joemallahan.bsky.social has a video that should disqualify Harrell from ever being in office again.

We don't need someone who stands with abusers, time after time, and makes jokes to deflect responsibility for it.

Vote for Katie Wilson
October 30, 2025 at 8:24 PM
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Not only did they not respond, I'm pretty sure they blocked me?!
October 30, 2025 at 6:42 PM
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We'll see if they respond!
October 30, 2025 at 4:53 PM
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"’Following Johnson's death in July 2025, the Seattle Parks Department conducted studies and secured emergency funds to address the issue,’ Koehler wrote. ‘However, the Landmark Review Board opposes changes, citing the importance of preserving the park's historical appearance.’”
Family of teen who died at Gas Works Park plans to pursue lawsuit against city
Attorneys representing the family of 15-year-old Mattheis Johnson, who died after falling from a structure at Gas Works Park in July, say they intend to sue.
komonews.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:07 AM
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Imagine caring about the aesthetics of some rusty old gas power plant when people are trying to make it safer so nobody else dies on it and going “hmmm I think that ruins the character of it” and leaving it dangerous. Sound psychotic? That’s historic preservation.
"’Following Johnson's death in July 2025, the Seattle Parks Department conducted studies and secured emergency funds to address the issue,’ Koehler wrote. ‘However, the Landmark Review Board opposes changes, citing the importance of preserving the park's historical appearance.’”
Family of teen who died at Gas Works Park plans to pursue lawsuit against city
Attorneys representing the family of 15-year-old Mattheis Johnson, who died after falling from a structure at Gas Works Park in July, say they intend to sue.
komonews.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:14 AM
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At least there was a no turn on red sign there.
I wonder if we'll ever get the memo that roads designed for high speeds allow for high speeds, and thus high speed accidents

(warning for cars crashing footage)
October 30, 2025 at 12:20 AM
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Who should you vote for in the school board election? It’s an easy (and important) call: Sarah Clark, Joe Mizrahi, Vivian Song, Jen LaVallee. The progressive parents who organized austerity recommend that slate: www.alltogetherforseattleschools.org/home/electio...
October 30, 2025 at 3:14 AM
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It would appear a lot of people told KUOW they are canceling their support. It bums me out that a non-profit news outlet was this sloppy and that reluctant to issue proper corrections.
Thanks to @kuow.org for issuing this correction.
October 29, 2025 at 7:27 PM