Jessica Ivey Planning Commissioner

13/11/2025

It's been a week since election day, and while I'm still very much in my Hillary hiking in the woods phase, I'm still going to use this page for updates on city planning issues and topics I care about.

I have been an admirer and loyal listener of the Downtown Seattle Association's podcast, Seattle City Makers for years, and it's always a delight when people I am curious about and work I am interested in converge on the podcast. This episode features Amy Barden of CARES, and covers a lot of what I talked about at doors about having more tools in our toolbelt through evolving how we build programs to address public safety, homelessness, and addiction.

By rethinking diversion, intervention, public safety reform, and housing policy while continuing to be open to adaptation, she mentions that she's convinced that we have the money, it's just about working efficiently and collaboratively through the lens of compassionate accountability. Not exclusively punishment, or correction, but by using practicality and centering behavioral science to diversify how we dispatch public safety response.

We've been academically rigid in blue states to talk about how addiction weaves into the narrative, because of fear of stigma, but with new treatments like the long lasting injectable that reduces opioid use and relapse rates, it about saving lives. It's a great listen to hear her perspective from the front lines.

Seattle City Maker listeners, you now have the option to watch these conversations on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/downtownseattle. Kicking off this plat...

09/11/2025

I just got off the phone with Hugo to congratulate him on winning this race.

While I am disappointed in the outcome, looking back on this journey that started almost a year ago, I feel nothing but gratitude for the opportunity. I have experienced more personal growth than I could ever have expected, and I am proud that I stood strong in my values, that I showed up authentically, hopefully as an engaging and visionary leader.

Thank you for all of the messages I have received from across the city. I feel so connected to every neighborhood from walking your streets, admiring your gardens, waving at your doorbells, and petting your dogs. I have met you at the first day of trumpet lessons, coming back from softball practice, pruning your hedges, and getting ready to make dinner.

Over the past months, I’ve walked miles of neighborhoods, stood in the rain at farmers’ markets, and had countless kitchen-table conversations about what makes Burien special. Every single conversation — every doorstep, every park cleanup, every community event, and pretzel I sold at the Brat Trot 5K reminded me that our city’s strength lies in its people.

To my incredible campaign team and volunteers, thank you for your belief that local elections matter. Whether you knocked on doors, waved signs, or simply told a friend why this race mattered, you made this campaign what it was, and I appreciate your friendship and support.

To my wife, Maia. For bearing the extra load of household chores so I could pour my everything into this, and for gracefully navigating the colorful comments section of the B-town blog for me. Thank you for your patience, for every dinner I missed, and above all for believing in me.

This wasn’t just my campaign — it was our campaign. It was built by parents who care about safe parks, by artists and small-business owners dreaming of a thriving downtown, and by young people who believe that local government can actually make a difference. We’ve talked about planning smart growth - about investing in our parks and public spaces, supporting our creative economy, and making sure every resident feels heard. I heard you, and I still want these things for our city.

I don’t know what’s next for me, but please know I really enjoyed getting to know you better, Burien. I will continue my advocacy on the Burien Planning Commission to protect our community from exploitive development, champion affordable housing, and work to preserve our green spaces. On the Board of the Burien Creative District, I still hope to attract artists priced out of Seattle to set up shop in Burien, to grow foot traffic, and strengthen our small business economy. My capacity for volunteering and public service has grown as a result of this work, and my hope is that I can find new ways to make a positive impact.

For now, I'm looking forward to spending more time with my grandsons.

02/11/2025

Thanks for the honks and waves today, Burien! 👋
If you haven’t already, get out your ballot and get it to the ballot box tomorrow.

✅Local elections matter!
✅Your voice matters!
✅Vote like your city’s future depends on it, because it does! 🗳️

02/11/2025

With many more families facing food insecurity in our community consider supporting our local Highline Area Food Bank to help them weather this uncertainty and get them the help they need. I visited them last month with members of the Burien Human Services Commission, and they have a small but mighty team of volunteers that are extremely dedicated. Their Executive Director, Courtney Melberg and I volunteer for Burien Pride together, and I share her concerns about the scale of need coming our way in the coming months. Preventing hunger should be an urgent priority for our community, and I will work together on City Council towards actionable solutions.

29/10/2025

Have your kids outgrown a newish coat that could be donated? Have the means to purchase a coat from a thrift store? Here’s the local locations to drop off.
With SNAP benefits and other needed assistance being cut, more calls like this are going to require an all hands on deck approach from all of us to make up the gaps in our community.

‘Coats for Kids’ drive aims to keep Highline Public Schools students warm this winter, and here’s how to help:https://b-townblog.com/coats-for-kids-drive-aims-to-keep-highline-students-warm-this-winter-and-heres-how-to-help/

27/10/2025

Have you voted yet?
Vote early and schedule time this week to drop off at the ballot boxes at the libraries downtown or in Boulevard Park to make sure your vote is counted. 🗳️

26/10/2025

If you have been to a Discover Burien event, it’s likely you’ve seen me there. I’m always looking to get involved and help out in my community. I love to meet new people, make connections, and support our local small businesses. I’m running because that’s what I want in a candidate - someone who shows up consistently and authentically, and has vision and actionable ideas to drive our city forward. Today I supported the Tin Room (yes the theater is open again!) playing Poison Ivy for the hundreds of littles in their delightful costumes at Boo in Burien.

Don’t forget to sign up for the mimosa walk next month and come
out for free Santa photos!

25/10/2025

As a sports marketer, I am a member of the Seattle Sports Commission, and one of my favorite annual events is their Women in Leadership breakfast, which was held today with the theme of Cultivating Confidence across generations of female athletes and sports leaders. It's always an inspiring event, but this year was extra special because Governor Bob Ferguson, Mayor Bruce Harrell, and King County Executive Shannon Braddock made a proclamation that October is now Women in Sports month in Washington.
Side note: when I was CMO for Rat City Roller Derby, I crossed paths with Shellie Hart when she was with the Seattle Storm, but I didn't learn until today that she is a Burien native and Highline High School graduate! Today was a real day of intersectionality.

24/10/2025

To clarify my response from the LWV Panel, as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and a member of the Burien Pride Committee, I condemn transphobic or q***r bashing propaganda and stand firmly as an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. I did not consent to the Enough is Enough Campaign, and have not and will not accept money from this PAC. I am endorsed by LPAC, but have not received money from them either.

Instead of amplifying their videos, I'd rather share what we have to lose under the current administration, as the courts are considering rolling back marriage equality. Here's a story piece from 2020, when my wife and I got married by our friend, Jessi Bloom, in our backyard after having to cancel our wedding like many people did that year. We didn't let the pandemic stop us from getting married, and even though we still haven't seen each other in our wedding dresses still hanging in the closet, we will hopefully soon.

From weddings to quinceañeras and births, six families reflect on how they celebrated their biggest moments this year.

23/10/2025

Had a really informative ride along with the Burien Police Department and saw firsthand some of the resources available through the King County Sheriff's Office. Deputy Seeley's vehicle has a new technology called Starchase installed that has a GPS to track stolen vehicle suspects who might drive more dangerously and erratically in a traditional high-speed pursuit. It allows officers to disengage from a pursuit, triangulate around the vehicle from a distance, keeping other drivers in traffic safer. The collaboration between specialized units was very impressive, with Guardian One above, the backup from SeaTac Police, and the K9 Units. They were able to safely recover a stolen vehicle that had eluded them before and gather evidence that will hopefully get them closer to an arrest.

I know prowling and vehicle theft are concerns I've heard about at doors, and it was reassuring to see our officers on the front line testing new technology to make our police work more efficient and safe to deter auto theft in Burien.

21/10/2025

This one hit me hard. Antisemitism propaganda, harassment, violence, and threats to our Jewish community are on the rise, but I guess defending all marginalized groups is not that important to my opponent. Proud to be endorsed by The Kids Table in their Voter's Guide. Disappointed this list isn't longer.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6846397c5550a63d24142e07/t/68f1365d0bee182c0205599c/1760638557898/The+Kids+Table+Voter+Guide+2025.pdf