QUICK SUMMARY
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell conditionally endorsed a $56 million plan for a new Crisis Care Center at Broadway and Union, emphasizing the urgent need for behavioral health support. The mayor's support is contingent on safety assessments with the Seattle Police Department and community engagement. The center aims to provide same-day access to care for individuals in crisis.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has conditionally endorsed a $56 million plan for a new Crisis Care Center at Broadway and Union, amid a growing behavioral health crisis in the city. His endorsement requires safety assessments in collaboration with the Seattle Police Department and the formulation of a Good Neighbor Agreement to ensure community safety. The center aims to provide same-day access to care for individuals in crisis, addressing urgent needs for mental health support. King County Executive Shannon Braddock emphasized the importance of collaboration in expanding crisis services across the region. The facility is part of a $1.25 billion initiative funded by a voter-approved county levy to enhance mental health services. This levy is expected to raise funds over nine years, costing median-value homeowners approximately $121 annually. Local leaders, including Rep. Shaun Scott, have rallied behind the center's establishment, responding to earlier pushback from the business community. The county aims to create a robust network of five crisis care centers to improve access to essential mental health treatment.