Local Improvement District Records (Series I)

Series

Identifier: 1804-A1

Scope and Contents Note

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Local Improvement Districts (LID) are formed to finance street and sidewalk improvements, sanitary and storm sewers, and other improvements for a particular area in the City. The improvements generally benefit only the particular district. They are funded by assessments against the property that benefits from the improvement. LIDs are initiated either by a Resolution of the City Council or by a petition of owners of property aggregating a majority of both the lineal frontage abutting the improvement and the area within the proposed district.

The Series I LIDs include a wide array of records: plans and specifications, maps and drawings, assessment rolls, majority petitions, correspondence (including protests against the LID), statements of cost, bids, claims for payment, City Council committee reports, affidavits of publication, and other financial and administrative documents.

The LID records in Series I predate later improvements arranged in a consecutive numbering system and that begin in 1891.

Dates

Creation: 1882-1900
Creation: 1882-1891

Creator

Seattle (Wash.). City Clerk (Organization)

Restrictions on Access

Records are open to the public.

Historical Note

The City Clerk maintains the City's legislative records, official filings, and the Seattle Municipal Archives; keeps the minutes of City Council meetings; and provides information services to City agencies and the public. Seattle's first City Charter allowed for a Clerk of the Common Council to be elected by the Council. In 1875 the position of City Clerk became elective and remained so until 1896 when the new Charter designated the Comptroller ex-officio City Clerk. The Comptroller served as City Clerk through 1992. A 1991 City Charter amendment transferred the Comptroller's function to the Department of Finance and the City Clerk's Office became a division of the Legislative Department effective in 1993.