SEATTLE — Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell is unveiling his long awaiting fentanyl and downtown activation plan, something he promised weeks ago during his State of the City address.

His new executive order talks about prioritizing effort to disrupt the distribution and sale of fentanyl and launch a pilot expansion of the Seattle Fire Department’s Health One program to include an overdose response unit.

"Downtown is the heart of Seattle and is powered by people – workers, neighbors, families, and visitors alike. Today’s actions are centered on immediate steps to make downtown safe, welcoming, and a destination for activities and experiences that bring people together," said Harrell.

The Public Health Seattle & King County dashboard recorded 23 fentanyl-related deaths a week near the end of 2022.

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The announcement comes just two days after a KOMO News town hall on “The Cost of Crime” and the impact of the fentanyl emergency on city streets. Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) President Jon Scholes has repeatedly pressed the mayor publicly to take action. Scholes called the mayor's plan an "important step forward." See his full statement below:

Mayor Harrell’s Downtown Activation Plan is an important step forward for downtown’s continued revitalization. The Mayor is focused on the right issues. It is critical that we address the fentanyl crisis and its impacts. We cannot recover as a community until we make substantial progress and treat this crisis like the emergency it has become. We also appreciate the mayor’s actions toward ensuring that downtown is clean and welcoming and the inclusion of additional investments in the Metropolitan Improvement District to enhance downtown’s vibrancy. The activation plan gets us going in the right direction.

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Harrell also suggested a pilot research program to offer low dollar gift cards to encourage people to accept treatment services, and also start a site exploration for a post overdoes diversion facility. The plan also calls for expanding access to treatment services and overdose reversal medications, particularly in high-overdose locations.

"Essential to any long-term neighborhood revitalization is safety and health: The fentanyl crisis on our streets is causing death and disorder – we have an obligation to do more for those suffering from substance use issues and for all neighbors," said Harrell.

As far as downtown activation, Harrell said City Hall Park will be reopened on June 15, with new programming, safety and lighting enhancement and 24/7 security. He’s also pitched legislation to expand the Metropolitan Improvement District and close downtown streets for things as diverse as pickleball competitions.

The mayor also wants to fill up to 20 vacant storefronts by early summer, increase opportunities for food truck operators and pop-up food vendors, and request the state's Liquor and Cannabis Board to issue "Sip 'n Stroll" permits for First Thursday Art Walks.