Preservation Planning and Public Policy

Historic preservation requires more than just brick and mortar. Historic Seattle influences policy through coordinated and sustained efforts to promote both public and private commitment to preserving historic places.

Historic Seattle aims to influence public policy in a variety of ways, including:

  • Meeting with decision makers to ensure broad commitment to preservation;
  • Attending meetings and providing public testimony on issues that affect Seattle’s historic places and neighborhoods;
  • Researching and analyzing environmental review documents;
  • Conducting City and County election surveys to gauge candidates’ knowledge of and sensitivity to preservation issues;
  • Collaborating with like-minded organizations to promote preservation awareness and best practices;
  • Providing technical assistance, site visits, and educational programs to convey the many values of preservation; and
  • Serving on local and state policy and planning committees to provide preservation expertise.

Historic Seattle regularly collaborates with local, state, and national organizations such as:

Government historic preservation departments or programs are also key players in helping protect our cultural resources. Examples include:

If there’s a preservation planning and public policy discussion at the neighborhood, city or regional level with which Historic Seattle could provide assistance, contact Director of Preservation Services Eugenia Woo at (206) 622-6952 x 245 or [email protected].

Photo: Members of a four-organization coalition (Historic Seattle, The Southwest Seattle Historical Society, 4Culture, and The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation) discussing strategy to save an important West Seattle landmark.