Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels rallied the troops at the Top of the Market meeting space on August 20. The Mayor and supporters are waging a campaign to urge voters to pass a six-year levy promising $73 million for much-needed and long-overdue improvements to the Market’s crumbling infrastructure, heating and cooling systems, and additional public restrooms.  

In his short speech, Nickels emphasized that the November referendum is equally as important as the “Save the Market” campaign waged by Friends of the Market in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

“Back in 1971, Seattle voters brought the Market back from the brink of destruction,” Nickels said. “We saved it from the wrecking ball. Now we need to save it from the ravages of time so it can be around for another 100 years.”

The levy proposal includes:

$68.6 million for major repair, structural, and infrastructure and accessibility upgrades to all Public Development Authority (PDA)-owned Market buildings, as well as associated tenant space alteration costs.

$4.4 million in estimated financing costs. 

For more information, or to volunteer or make a donation, please visit Citizens for Pike Place Market.