In a formal show of support, leadership from the Refugee and Immigrant Family Center (RIFC) has issued a letter of appreciation to Seattle City Councilmember Rob Saka, praising his "principled approach" to resolving the heated dispute over a traffic median on Delridge Way SW.

The controversy, which became known as the “Save Curby” campaign, centered on Saka’s high-priority push to remove or modify a small center-line curb installed during the RapidRide H Line safety redesign. While the curb was intended to prevent dangerous illegal left turns, it blocked direct access for families turning left into the RIFC preschool, causing significant frustration for the community.

Critics and safety advocates originally launched a backlash against Saka, accusing him of a conflict of interest because he was a former parent at the preschool. The debate intensified when Saka proposed earmarking $2 million to remove the curb and compared the median to a “border wall,” rhetoric that drew sharp criticism from those who argued the curb was essential for pedestrian and cyclist safety.

However, the RIFC letter highlights a different perspective, noting that community feedback was not incorporated into the original 2020–21 road design due to a lack of outreach in that specific area.

The organization credited Saka with coordinating a visit from former Mayor Bruce Harrell in April 2025 to hear these concerns directly.

While the median remained in place following a compromise between Saka and the Mayor’s office, the city implemented scaled-down, low-cost tweaks to improve access for the preschool. RIFC leaders stated that these alternative solutions help ensure the safety and security of families while addressing the accessibility hardships created by the original design.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Full Text of the Letter of Support

February 2nd, 2026

Dear Councilmember Saka,

We are writing to express our sincere appreciation for your leadership and continued service to our community.

We would like to especially recognize your efforts to appropriate funds in the Chair’s Balancing Package 2024 budget for the completion of the Delridge Safety Project—an initiative that generated both strong community support and organized opposition. Your steady leadership and commitment throughout that process demonstrated a principled approach to reaching a meaningful compromise with the Seattle Department of Transportation.

Additionally, thank you for coordinating former Mayor Bruce Harrell’s visit to the Refugee and Immigrant Family Center (RIFC) in April 2025. RIFC, a chapter of Sound Child Care Solutions, is an awardee of the Equity Development Initiative Grant. That visit was especially important, as our feedback was not incorporated into the road design implemented during the 2020–21 construction phase due to insufficient outreach in this specific area. The visit underscored the importance of continued investment in community-led needs and lending a voice to vulnerable and often overlooked populations.

Although the barrier itself was not removed, the alternative solutions helped ensure the safety and security of pedestrians, many of whom are children and families served by the Refugee and Immigrant Family Center. We are convinced that this project would not have been completed if not for your leadership, perseverance, and commitment to advancing equity and public safety for the residents of our community.

Road safety in the Delridge corridor is one less concern for families and community members who are navigating other fears and painful realities in the current political environment. Sound Child Care Solutions will continue to advocate for children, families, and early learning professionals in Seattle and beyond to ensure high-quality experiences both inside and outside the classroom. While we were unable to celebrate this important milestone in person, our advocacy extends beyond any single moment or gathering. Thank you for your support in this critical endeavor.

Sincerely,

Amruta Mane Executive Director, SCCS

Luz Casio RIFC Director

Karina Rojas Rodríguez SWEL Director