Representatives of the broad-based coalition opposing King County’s plan to build a new youth jail will testify at a special City Council meeting this evening, Tues., May 16, as part of the growing resistance to the project. The meeting will take place at the Seattle University Student Center – 901 12th Ave. in Seattle, and will begin at 6:00 p.m.
In order to build the new youth jail and courts, King County needs permission from the City of Seattle, including a critical Master Use Permit. Without this permit, the jail-building project cannot move forward. This past December, the City of Seattle’s Department of Construction granted King County the permit. Over 60 community groups, many representing the communities of color disproportionately impacted by the jail building project, appealed the grant of the permit, and stand ready to argue why spending $210 million to build a new youth jail and courts fails King County’s youth.
On March 1, at King County’s request, the City of Seattle Hearing Examiner dismissed the appeal. The Hearing Examiner claimed that the city of Seattle’s own code does not require an appeal to be heard. City of Seattle Council Members O’Brien and Sawant agreed with vigorous community opposition to the hearing examiner’s decision, and are introducing an ordinance confirming that the appeal should have been allowed to move forward.
According to opponents, King County wants to stop youth jail opponents from speaking out against this project. However, opponents of the new jail vow to continue their fight until the project is shut down.
