As part of our mission to bring focus, support, and momentum behind the Lid I-5 project, we regularly connect with candidates running for elected office in Seattle and King County. Our goal is to educate about the project and degree of public support, but also to listen as we seek out a diversity of perspectives and advice on how we move forward together with such a transformative vision for our city.
We focus on election districts near the I-5 lid study areas. We offered 24 candidates the chance to share their position on Lid I-5 with the public, and asked how they would advance the project if elected. We received completed questionnaires from ten candidates. In several races there was no response from either candidate. This year we contacted candidates running for:
- Seattle City Council (district 9)
- Washington House and Senate (districts 34, 36, 37, 43, 46)
- U.S. House of Representatives (districts 7 and 9)
- U.S. Senator
Lid I-5 has 501(c)(3) non-profit status through our fiscal sponsor, the Seattle Parks Foundation. We do not endorse any political candidates. We may exercise the right to endorse voter initiatives.
Note: Responses are unedited and uncorrected.
Seattle City Council, District 9
Alexis Mercedes Rinck
Do you support the Lid I-5 project in concept? Why or why not?
Yes! I’ve been encouraged by the material I’ve read about the Lid I-5 project because of the opportunities it presents to increase housing and green space while also reducing air and noise pollution.
What actions will you take on the Lid I-5 project when you are in office?
As I understand the current funding needs, the project could range between $966 million and $2.5 billion depending on which model would move forward. The level of resources would require a high-level of investment from the state and federal government; however, I’m committed to making the case for this investment to our state and federal delegations. Completing this project would create tremendous benefits to our communities. I’m excited to learn more details about the project so I can be a better advocate. I intend to go on one of the walking tours later this month to see and learn more.
Washington Legislature
District 34, Position 2: Joe Fitzgibbon
Do you support the Lid I-5 project in concept? Why or why not?
Yes, I think this would be a valuable way to activate space in the heart of Seattle and to connect dense and vibrant neighborhoods that are currently disconnected.
What actions will you take on the Lid I-5 project when you are in office?
I expect the state will need to secure new sources of transportation revenue in the years to come. I will advocate that the next state transportation package incorporate the resources needed to take the next steps on planning to Lid I-5.
District 36, Position 2: Liz Berry
Do you support the Lid I-5 project in concept? Why or why not?
Yes because I believe it provides excellent opportunities for connecting communities that have been split apart by I-5, building more green spaces and housing.
What actions will you take on the Lid I-5 project when you are in office?
I’ve already proven to be an enthusiastic supporter of the Lid I-5 project in the Legislature as I have requested funding for feasibility studies.
District 43, Position 1: Nicole Macri
Do you support the Lid I-5 project in concept? Why or why not?
Yes. Lidding I-5 will have multiple benefits to residents, workers and visitors in Seattle. It can reconnect communities, create opportunities for parks, affordable housing, community spaces and vibrant interconnected neighborhoods.
What actions will you take on the Lid I-5 project when you are in office?
I will continue to work to fund the work necessary to integrate lidding of I-5 into seismic and other improvements needed along the freeway in Seattle. I am also interested in working on revenue options (such as tax increment financing and/or tax incentives) that can help propel this effort. Lidding I-5 can be a part of a larger statewide effort to lid freeways that cut through dense urban communities.
District 43, Position 2: Shaun Scott
Do you support the Lid I-5 project in concept? Why or why not?
Yes! I support the Lid I-5 project in concept. This is an idea that has motivated Seattleites since practically the day Interstate 5 opened. In the mid-20th century, residents of First Hill took to Seattle to protest the fact that the coming freeway would cut neighborhoods off from valuable social services; later, civic visionary Jim Ellis built a resplendent freeway park and Convention Center over downtown sections of I-5. I believe that lidding I-5 at other junctures will yield great results for the people of Washington State – as such, I support the idea.
What actions will you take on the Lid I-5 project when you are in office?
I will continue to listen to stakeholdering groups, organizers, and advocates who are fighting to see I-5 lidded in the near future. I will identify progressive revenue sources that may be tapped to lid Interstate 5. I’m proud to be endorsed in this race by The Urbanist because of my campaign’s commitment to density and urban innovation, and believe we can martial state resources to Lid I-5.
District 43, Position 2: Andrea Suarez
Do you support the Lid I-5 project in concept? Why or why not?
I have lived, worked and played on Belltown/Downtown since 1997 and am overwhelmed by the city’s beauty and diverse offerings. I live like a tourist, enjoying every corner of our city, never taking for granted how lucky I am to live here. Lid I-5 project is something I will take time to delve deep in to and bring my personal expertise on how the project would help restore public safety to Seattle and address the addiction and homeless crisis.
What actions will you take on the Lid I-5 project when you are in office?
I would bring ground level expertise to the conversation to ensure the homeless, addicted, mentally ill and public safety crisis are addressed in the plan.
District 46, Position 1: Gerry Pollet
Do you support the Lid I-5 project in concept? Why or why not?
Yes I have championed moving forward on lidding I-5. I support funding the planning for lidding I-5 building off of the feasibility study and have a separate design funded for lidding I-5 in the U District. I have championed a U District lid which would add safe pedestrian and bike access between the University and Wallingford, add open space and might provide for affordable housing and/or a needed school. I believe that designing and funding for the U District lid will be easier to obtain than the downtown and Olive to 522 segments.
What actions will you take on the Lid I-5 project when you are in office?
I will continue to seek funding to move forward on design for a District lid as well as cosponsoring funding for the more extensive (and expensive) lid south of the Ship Canal to downtown.
District 46, Position 2: Simone Barron
Do you support the Lid I-5 project in concept? Why or why not?
In theory I support the project. I think we need creative ways to for more space for people to use. I am curious on how the lid would be connected to “affordable” housing, how it may or may not constrict car usage. I have a concern regarding earthquakes like this https://youtu.be/Ar6ayj3K628 and how we would make sure lives will not be lost in the event of a severe earthquake.
What actions will you take on the Lid I-5 project when you are in office?
I would like to meet with all sides of the lid project to deeply understand the positives of this project. If was assured that this project would be earthquake proof, I would support it.
District 46, Position 2: Darya Farivar
Do you support the Lid I-5 project in concept? Why or why not?
Yes, absolutely. The opportunity to create green space, mitigate highway pollution, and create affordable housing is critical to the success and health of the surrounding neighborhood.
What actions will you take on the Lid I-5 project when you are in office?
In this last biennium, I was proud to support budget requests to lid I-5 in downtown Seattle as well as in the 46th district between 45th and 50th. It is critical that we get this project started and completed for the health of our community.
U.S. House of Representatives, District 7
Pramila Jayapal
Do you support the Lid I-5 project in concept? Why or why not?
Yes, I do. I believe that highways that run through major urban areas can reduce green spaces, stifle economic growth, and cut-off entire communities from neighbors and business. I helped secure funding to allow the City of Seattle to continue planning and conducting community outreach on the I-5 lid project, which would transform our city’s downtown area and increase connectivity between different neighborhoods, businesses, and our local economy. It would lead to more opportunities for affordable housing, new jobs, and environmental improvements to an area that has been negatively impacted by I-5 for decades.
What actions will you take on the Lid I-5 project when you are in office?
I helped secure $2,000,000 in federal funding for the planning for the I-5 lid project in March 2024. These funds came from the Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Community Planning Grant program, which focuses on retrofitting or mitigating highways in underserved communities to improve community connectivity and economic development.
I was proud to support this funding and look forward to seeing this important project continue to move forward to reduce pollution, make our streets safer, and drive economic opportunity.
The funding will go toward helping the City of Seattle plan and conduct technical studies and community outreach for the proposed I-5 lid project, which aims to support the growing urban population. This will help city leadership get necessary feedback and input from residents on how the project can best serve the city and ensure that equitable and healthy community-driven improvements are made.
I will continue to work with the community to look for federal funding opportunities for this project.
Lid I-5 