2025 All-America City Finalist – Seattle, WA

Seattle’s story is one of transformation, complexity, and the enduring strength of community. Rooted in a layered past—home to the Coast Salish peoples, built by immigrant labor, and defined by waves of cultural and technological change—the city continues to evolve. With a projected population of one million by mid-century, Seattle faces both great opportunity and serious challenges. Through intentional planning and collective action, it aims to build a future grounded in equity, sustainability, livability, and resilience.

At the heart of this vision is the Department of Neighborhoods, which has spent decades building civic capital by centering relationships and supporting long-term, community-driven solutions. In Seattle, civic engagement isn’t a side effort, it’s embedded in how the city works. Across neighborhoods, residents are actively shaping policies, leading local projects, and building the civic infrastructure that helps communities thrive. The following three initiatives illustrate how this culture of engagement comes to life and strengthens the city from the ground up.

Food Action Plan

Seattle’s Food Action Plan recognizes that food is never just food: it is culture, history, health, economic opportunity, and a reflection of past and present injustices. In 2008, the Seattle City Council passed the Local Food Action Initiative, which led to the city’s first Food Action Plan in 2012. That plan expanded food access and informed new environmental policies, but systemic inequities—especially along racial and economic lines—remained. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and deepened those vulnerabilities, disrupting supply chains and intensifying food insecurity.

To address these challenges, Seattle updated the plan in 2024 with a renewed focus on equity, sustainability, and resilience. More than 250 stakeholders shaped the new plan through deep listening and dialogue. The city partnered with trusted consultants to engage BIPOC farmers, mutual aid leaders, and Native and Indigenous food experts. Guided by principles from the Environmental Justice Committee, the city collected over 100 hours of feedback through 21 interviews, 14 focus groups, and five surveys.

The final plan outlines four goals, eight strategic priorities, and 50 actions—including reducing food-related emissions, supporting local supply chains, and promoting regenerative agriculture—to build a food system that supports all Seattle communities, in good times and bad.

Transportation Electrification Infrastructure Plan

Transportation is the largest source of climate pollution in Seattle, responsible for nearly two-thirds of the region’s greenhouse gas emissions. In response, Seattle City Light (SCL) launched its first Transportation Electrification Strategic Investment Plan (TEISP) in 2020. Over four years, the utility installed more than 905 EV chargers, supported fleet transitions, and helped electrify public transit. As of 2024, one in four new vehicle sales in King County was electric.

Despite this progress, affordability and access remain major barriers, especially for low-income and BIPOC communities disproportionately harmed by transportation-related pollution. In 2024, SCL began updating the TEISP by partnering with the Department of Neighborhoods, Community Liaisons, and nonprofits to ensure the plan reflected community priorities. Outreach efforts reached 500+ residents across 10 neighborhoods and 24 cultural communities through events, interviews, surveys, and hands-on activities.

Community feedback emphasized equitable access, ongoing in-person engagement, and investments in local organizations and youth workforce development. Conversations led to actionable opportunities—like exploring EV charger installations at neighborhood centers.

Adopted in January 2025, the updated 2025–2030 TEISP prioritizes grid readiness, public and workplace charging, green workforce pathways, and sustained partnerships with community-based organizations to ensure inclusive and resilient transportation electrification.

Cedar River Watershed Tours

Clean, safe drinking water flows effortlessly from Seattle’s taps, but it begins 30 miles away in the Cascade Mountains. Seattle is the only U.S. city to own and manage more than 90,000 acres of watershed, producing some of the highest-quality water in the country. Yet back-to-back droughts have underscored how climate change is putting this precious resource at risk. In response, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) launched the “Seattle Water Needs You” campaign.

To move from messaging to meaningful connection, SPU and the Department of Neighborhoods (DON) piloted a 2024 program inviting BIPOC, immigrant, refugee, elder, youth, and mobility-challenged residents on guided Cedar River Watershed tours. Co-designed with seven community organizations, the nine tours featured multilingual programming, culturally relevant meals, and accessible transportation.

A total of 290 residents participated, many visiting the watershed for the first time. Tours were conducted in English, Spanish, Tagalog, and Traditional Chinese. DON streamlined reimbursements so small nonprofits could purchase food in advance.

Feedback was overwhelmingly positive: 86% rated the experience as “Excellent” and 98% would recommend it. For many, it rekindled cultural and environmental connections. In 2025, SPU and DON are expanding the program—offering youth career pathways, family programming, and deeper partnerships across city agencies.

Return to the complete list of the 2025 All-America City Award Finalists.