By Liz Steen

Special Correspondent

Seattle Councilmember Rob Saka had a busy Monday, securing passage of two Safer Streets bills at a specially scheduled council meeting, postponing a third until next month, and unveiling seven statements of legislative intent and 13 budget proposals for next month’s negotiations.

At a press briefing Tuesday, Saka highlighted his proposal to fund a $500,000 cleanup for West Seattle commercial districts and a $250,000 study of a possible new shelter for homeless military veterans partnering with West Seattleite Keith Hughes.

Hughes runs the privately-owned, volunteer-operated Westside Neighbors’ Shelter in the American Legion Post 160 in West Seattle. The shelter suspended operations in April, but the board plans to reopen.

Link here: Westside Neighbors Shelter - Westside Neighbors Shelter

 Saka said he was inspired by a wildly successful model in Spokane of a public, private partnership” that he observed in Spokane on a trip with Hughes and other civic leaders in the spring of 2026. He said that the study will explore building a “brand-new, purpose-built professionally operated homeless shelter to support veterans experiencing homelessness in West Seattle.” 

Hughes’s currently suspended West Seattle shelter generated controversy after complaints about open-air drug use, prostitution, and other disruptions spiked during the last two years.

Link here: The future of Westside Neighbors Shelter: Keith Hughes addresses rumors, outlines operational changes and key challenges | Westside Seattle

Hughes said on Tuesday, through the council’s office, “…Veterans are the most overlooked and underrepresented, despite their heroic service to this country. As part of the American Legion, which fiercely advocates for the unique needs of every generation of veterans I’m grateful to be part of such an important initiative.”

Saka said the Hughes originally planned to open a shelter for veterans before he started Westside. The council member explained the study’s scope as, “"It would be $350,000 specifically for a comprehensive study, including siting and figuring out, assessing and scoping the need for that. And to eventually establish a public-private partnership to build exactly that." Details on what city department or consultant would perform the study, described in the release as “critical pre-development work” for the public-private partnership Saka has planned with Hughes, were not provided on Tuesday.

Saka’s Safer Streets legislation will require businesses contracting with the city to follow safety standards based on federal transportation research. The new laws will change the wording used to describe the city engineer’s authority and will require all companies that contract with the city to install safety gear on the side of trucks to prevent bikes from falling under the truck in a collision.

Link to the bills here: Agenda

The council agenda provided legislation from the city of Boston that will serve as a guide. Affected business could include Waste Management of Washington, Trinity Development Corp., and others that collect garbage and recycling with garbage trucks, dump trucks, and/or box trucks. The guard rails matching the city of Boston’s requirements come from Airflow Deflector and two other manufacturers. Link here: 1.pdf

Here is a list provided by Saka’s office of his proposals for the city council’s ongoing budget talks; proposal total $18.665 million and affect districts across the city as well as West Seattle:

• South Park Gateway, Public-Realm & Community Center Activation Package – $500K
  This proposal invests in visible improvements throughout South Park’s business core and bridge landing area, including lighting, wayfinding, murals, and pedestrian amenities. It also creates new youth and family programs to strengthen safety, activation, and cultural connection in a growing neighborhood.
•  Pioneer Square Upper-Floor Commercial Activation Initiative - $200K
  This program would help property owners activate long‑unused upper‑floor commercial spaces in Pioneer Square by funding space inventories, business recruitment, and support navigating regulatory barriers. The goal is to reduce vacancy, attract employers, and strengthen economic activity in one of the city’s historic districts.
• SODO Public Safety Coordinator - $115K
  This proposal creates a dedicated coordinator to improve communication between SODO businesses, service providers, and public‑safety agencies. The role focuses on addressing recurring hotspots, improving response consistency, and helping businesses navigate city systems more effectively.
• Permanent West Seattle Veterans Shelter & Services Campus (Planning & Predevelopment) $250K
  West Seattle has a dearth of shelter as you know. This investment launches planning to create a public-private partnership to build a permanent, professionally operated veterans shelter and services campus in West Seattle. It funds feasibility, site analysis, and partnership development to create a long‑term, trauma‑informed alternative to the informal shelter model currently used near Rotary Viewpoint.
• Roxhill Park Safety and Restoration Package - $250K
  This proposal funds lighting, sightline improvements, repairs, and other design‑based safety measures to address recurring public safety concerns in Roxhill Park. The goal is to restore comfort for residents, families, and seniors while protecting ecological features through intentional, professionally guided improvements. 
• Alki Public Space Maintenance, Safety & Recreation Restoration Package - $450K
  This package restores community programming at Alki facilities, supporting activities such as fitness classes and youth engagement based on community preferences. It also adds non-enforcement SDOT traffic monitoring cameras to key locations along Alki Ave SW.
• West Seattle Business District Clean, Safe & Welcoming Corridors Package - $250K
  This package provides targeted cleanup and small‑scale improvements across West Seattle’s commercial districts, including litter removal, graffiti mitigation, pressure washing, and selective lighting and streetscape upgrades. It establishes a coordinated approach with neighborhood partners to maintain inviting business corridors. Named partners to help implement this investment locally include: The Junction BIA, West Seattle Chamber, and A Cleaner Alki.
• Delridge Community Art Wall / Mural Pilot - $200K
  This project creates a legal, City-managed mural space in Delridge, pairing youth workshops with stewardship by local artists. It aims to support creative expression while evaluating whether City-sanctioned spaces reduce unauthorized graffiti in surrounding areas.
• Funding for Citywide Senior Centers - $750K
  This investment strengthens senior centers across Seattle by supporting programs that help older adults age with dignity, stability, and connection. It includes a callout for resources benefiting senior centers in West Seattle (Center for Active Living) and South Park.
• Mode Music Youth Access & Tuition Assistance - $50K
  This funding helps Mode Music expand arts education access through nonprofit tuition assistance and youth programming for West Seattle and Delridge families. It strengthens equitable access to music and arts opportunities both during the school year and summer.
• Pothole Repair Funding Restoration - $1.3 million
  This measure restores funding for the city’s pothole repair program, improving response times and service capacity. It strengthens roadway maintenance and helps address a significant backlog of reported potholes.

Proposed Statements of Legislative Intent provided by Saka’s office to WestsideSeattle – an SLI requests city staff to prepare a report for the council:

• Seattle Center Bond-Transmittal Schedule
  This SLI requests that the City establish a clear timeline for delivering the project list, financing plan, and public‑engagement materials needed for a potential Seattle Center revitalization ballot measure. It ensures transparency and timely preparation for a 2027 ballot window.
• Seattle Center CCTV Safety System (SLI Only)
  This SLI calls for a study to evaluate safety camera options for Seattle Center, including privacy protections, system governance, maintenance, and operational responsibilities. It establishes a framework before any hardware procurement occurs. The goal is to create a defined pathway to install vital security cameras at Seattle Center.
• Delridge Youth Recreation Capital Fund
  This SLI tasks the City with identifying and prioritizing capital improvements for youth recreation in Delridge, such as court resurfacing, field repairs, lighting, and equipment upgrades. It ensures youth input shapes the final project list and creates a clear path for future capital investment.
• Seattle Center CCTV Safety System
  This SLI calls for a study to evaluate safety camera options for Seattle Center, including privacy protections, system governance, maintenance, and operational responsibilities. It establishes a framework before any hardware procurement occurs. The goal is to create a defined pathway to install vital security cameras at Seattle Center.
• City Light Summer Scheduling for Preschool and Private Schools  
  This SLI calls for a study to evaluate whether City Light can adjust summer scheduling or access policies for preschool and private schools, while ensuring compliance with utility law. It examines rate impacts, demand, customer responsibilities, and alternatives to cross‑subsidization.
• SFD Streamlining Hiring Process & Competitiveness Review
  This study directs the Seattle Fire Department to compare its hiring processes with peer agencies to identify delays or barriers that may reduce competitiveness. It aims to strengthen recruitment and prevent the loss of qualified candidates to faster‑moving jurisdictions.
• SDOT Interfund Loan Reporting
  This SLI calls for SDOT to ensure transparent reporting on Transportation Fund interfund loan repayments and on the causes and solutions for ongoing cash‑balance challenges. It provides accountability and clarity as the City works to stabilize transportation finance.