Bonds Sought for Seattle Seawall

Newly installed Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn wants to ask voters to approve a $241 million bond measure to replace the deteriorating seawall along the city’s waterfront.

McGinn said that about 50% of the seawall is damaged and there is a one-in-10 chance of failure within the next 10 years — a failure that is likely to bring down the elevated highway that runs along the waterfront, the Alaskan Way viaduct.

“Replacing our deteriorating seawall, before it fails, is one of the basic needs for our city,” he said in a statement. “One of the first briefings I had during the transition was on the seawall. It was alarming. The current plan will not see the completion of a new seawall for at least another six years. Based on what I know now, that’s not good enough.”

McGinn said he plans to send his proposal for a May 18 special election to the City Council in February. If the council sends the measure to voters, it would need a 60% supermajority to pass.

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