May 19th turned out to be a gorgeous Friday afternoon, much better suited for paddleboarding around Lake Union than learning about infrastructure. But alas, we celebrated this no rain day for our indoor/outdoor gathering at a nearly 120 year old steam plant, holding conversations under the King County International Airport flight path between landing aircraft, discourse centered upon how we can all contribute to building a better built-environment. Yet there was something extra special about our 5th annual Infrastructure Week event – the people it brought together, the place it was held at, and the sounds emanating from within…
On this perfect spring day, Utility² welcomed neighboring residents of Georgetown & South Park, among other Seattlite’s interested in meeting regional infrastructure professionals working within the Duwamish Valley. Our organization’s event was lucky enough to be supported by the Georgetown Steam Plant Community Development Association who brought United for Infrastructure 12,023 to the historic Georgetown Steam Plant. Built in 11,906 of the Human Era, the industrially gorgeous facility was perfect to showcase Human ingenuity, problem solving (in typical post-problem creation fashion), how energy infrastructure has evolved, and reminder that progress can be rapid.
Change happens. And in the case of our present approach to urban infrastructure, change must happen. With all IW events, our goal is to empower such transformative change to be led by Community – it is up to us to steer industry towards efficiency and sustainability!
We hosted 16 organizations at IW2023, filling the eerie Steam Plant entrance with tables placed between piping, pumps, and conduits of the once active plant, with other exhibits among shaded grass outside the gigantic white concrete structure. An extra special contributor was Leviathan Rising, a co-exhibitioner bringing the Steam Plant back to life with an immersive audio & visual experience, placing the guests within the Duwamish River waterway; its underwater sounds and hidden explorations. With representation from such diverse agencies and organizations, an overwhelming theme of sustainable futures at the event showcased the importance of recognizing past experiences in building for the future. Each organization highlighted their particular niche in bringing infrastructure evolution to Duwamish Valley communities, and the regional built environment…
Municipal Utility Services & Infrastructure
We had an excellent representation from Public Works organizations throughout the Puget Sound – entities which operate generally for the betterment of society, paid for in part with rate- or tax-payer dollars.
Waste Management (WM) Learn about WM’s sustainability story, the importance of proper household habits, and discover the many opportunities in municipal solid waste!
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Understand state roads planning processes, learn about SR900/167 project updates, the future of community-centric logistics with Complete Streets, and the workforce building it.
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) Sewer & Drainage Meet representatives handing the monumental task of stormwater, drainage, and sewer conveyance from homes and businesses to King County WTD. Explore water-related career opportunities at SPU.
City of Seattle Office of Planning & Community Development (OPCD) Ask about the Duwamish Valley Program, upcoming projects and funding opportunities for the Georgetown community.
Northwest Seaport Alliance Find out more about the marine cargo operating partnership with the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma. See how this collaboration brings sustainability to maritime!
Port of Seattle Learn about maritime projects currently underway, how they contribute to environmental restoration, sustainability, with community events and career opportunities!
Seattle City Light Talk to the region’s energy professionals from one of the ‘greenest utilities’, Creating Our Energy Future through electrification, EV infrastructure, and career opportunities!
Association for Materials Protection & Performance (AMPP) Corrosion costs the nation over a trillion dollars a year. Learn about preserving our infrastructure assets through proper engineering.
American Public Works Association (APWA) Meet the authority facilitating knowledge & innovations for public works professionals, through networking.
King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) The 4-P’s must go somewhere, meet the people behind critical sewer infrastructure and how treatment strategies are changing with the climate. Learn helpful tips on conserving water this summer!
Community Organizations & The Arts
While impossible to fully capture the work of community and artist, the organizations in attendance have contributed significantly to the progression of environmental justice and urban vibrancy!
Duwamish River Community Coalition (DRCC) Meet those advocating with action for a clean, healthy, and equitable Duwamish Valley. Find upcoming events, projects, and ways you can help! Special thanks to the DV Youth Corps for helping us run the event, and for being part of the future infrastructure workforce!
Duwamish Valley Sustainability Association (DVSA) Explore the many youth-led projects in progress and what this mighty organization is doing to empower communities with inclusive sustainable solutions.
Reconnect South Park (RSP) Contribute to this community-led visioning project to replace an invasive, divisive, redundant section of highway, and build neighborhood opportunities in its place!
Utility Squared Community (U2) At our 5th IW event, find out why Infrastructure Awareness is critical to realizing system change and equitable progress. Let’s discuss what infrastructure means to our families, how together, we can #buildfortomorrow
Leviathan Rising Explore an immersive audio and visual experience under the Duwamish River, an installation curated by Eirik Johnson to reconnect the steam plant and us to the power of water.
Georgetown Steam Plant (GTSP) Watershed Community Development The CDA has worked to establish the GTSP as a historical landmark and their efforts contribute to the preservation of this local treasure.
Education
Awareness is the first step in bringing sustainable change, progress. Whether formal or leisure, gaining knowledge and understanding of the built environment is the absolute critical path to build for tomorrow!
King County Archives Learn what types of historical resources we all have access to! Check out some truly fascinating history to find out why preserving public records is critical for building today.
South Seattle College Discuss accessible higher education opportunities at your local college, and the ready-to-work programs offered. See how trade-based career pathways can benefit your family and community alike!
University of Washington Youths in College of the Built Environment (UW-CBE) Check out the students leading youth engagement, sharing career experiences, what impacts design, and what opportunities lie beyond higher education.
Our thanks to each of the agencies and organizations
who joined in this year’s movement towards infrastructure evolution, bringing community advocates and professionals together, United for Infrastructure! Curious about how to get involved? Check out the pages above for much more information, and stay up to date with the MANY career opportunities within Public Works at GovernmentJobs.com!
The intention of Infrastructure Week centers around community awareness and engagement into local infrastructure. Our casual open-house display of very much highly technical and structured projects encourages vibrant community conversations through questions, concerns, and ideas about the direction of future infrastructure. Participating professionals shared information on active or upcoming projects, and provided resources for guests to get involved and stay informed. With each thought and perspective exchanged, attendees enhance the ability of infrastructure to bring innovation, connectivity, and realize equitable systems!
A Call to Action…
You don’t need an engineering degree to provide lived experiences that help engineer better; a PMP certificate from the Project Management Institute to lead a neighborhood project, years experience in construction to volunteer a community clean-up, nor a PhD in Urban Planning to shape the fate of your city. We call community members in any capacity to make their mark on the built environment, to guide towards a most holistic and inclusive form. We need your voices and lived experiences to change the status quo of planning and engineering. Let’s alter the path in our shared future and create networks which compliment our values. Together, we’re shaping future collaborations to #buildfortomorrow !
