Conlin and McGinn Put Their Heads Together, Create a Jobs Package

This is the image that came with the press release.

With news coming in droves today of America's faltering job market, Mayor Mike McGinn and City Council President Richard Conlin chose the perfect time to debut their new economy-stimulating, business-friendly jobs package. Well played, gentlemen.

The package, aimed to help mostly entrepreneurs, small businesses and trade workers, is a cohesive effort to get the citizens of Seattle to feel confident enough to buy homes and start businesses. Additionally, it looks to ease zoning laws to help fill empty storefronts and other areas, as well as spur new construction projects. From the press release (bolds are mine):

A reform to the State Environmental Policy Act review process, for example, would expedite up to 40 new construction projects with 100 to 250 units each year. The Seattle Building Trades Council estimates that as many as 2,400 direct, family-wage jobs in skilled construction-trades could be created through this effort.

Key factors in the proposal include reduction and elimination of some parking requirements (which will be necessary if all of our bus routes get cut), and expanding mobile food vending and temporary uses of empty spaces and lots around town.

A great move by a Mayor who's looking at a reputation as a thumb-twiddler, this progressive streamlining and focus on what businesses and individuals need to get moving seems, though a bit overly-optimistic, like a pretty sound package. Of course, that could just be due to its impressive timing.