Seattle Mayor Murray, who highlighted what he called a “public-safety crisis” before he was elected in November, named former Boston police commissioner Kathleen O’Toole as his chief in May. “We have significant hotspots,” he said, pledging a mix of policing, human services and economic development as solutions.

After signing legislation last month phasing in a $15 hourly minimum wage, the highest of any big city, Murray said he’ll next tackle housing, perhaps by partnering with nonprofits that might offer subsidies.

‘Huge Challenge’

“The huge challenge is that we are able to grow, but we are able to grow in a way for Seattle to remain the livable city that it is,” he said.

Developers are increasingly erecting micro apartments, boxy multi-story buildings in which tiny studios are clustered around shared kitchens. While units might cost only $700 a month including utilities, neighbors often object because the developments congest street parking, said Seattle property consultant Brian O’Connor.

Residents of the Eastlake neighborhood sued in May to force one planned 115-unit micro-apartment project to include off-street parking and more kitchens. Jules James, who owns a parcel-shipment store in the area, said the developments will stand out to future generations as slums erected in haste.

“Boomtown economics happen,” James said. “It’ll wane.”

First « 1 2 3 4 » Next