Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/1127356
P anoramic views of the city and Sound welcomed guests of our first-ever SBC Mixer, held on March 21 in the former PacMed building and presented by AAA KARTAK Glass & Closet Inc Seattle Builders Council members, elected officials, and guests enjoyed a delightful evening of lively dialogue and delicious food against the backdrop of a Northwest sunset over the Olympic Mountains MBAKS Executive Director Kat Sims welcomed guests and expressed the association's strong commitment to developing a more robust presence in Seattle She emphasized the need to advance collaborative and positive working relationships with the Mayor's office, elected councilmembers, and the full spectrum of city departments that builders work with daily Then real estate reporter Mike Rosenberg took to the stage and offered a perceptive presentation about housing market dynamics in Seattle, where it's been, and where it's now heading He also shared his own experience as a renter without an affordable path to homeownership Next, newly-appointed Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) Director Sam Zimbabwe shared his plans for SDOT after his first eventful months in the role—he started as the viaduct was closing permanently and during the biggest snowstorms Seattle has experienced in years Zimbabwe, who is relocating to Seattle from Washington, D C , also noted his house-hunting family's surprise at the sky-high prices, even when compared to the D C market! Both speakers fielded tough questions from homebuilders and other attendees Stay in the loop on Seattle industry issues at SBC breakfasts, held the first Thursday of each month at Ivar's Salmon House on Lake Union. Learn more at mbaks.com/sbc Events like these provide a great opportunity for members—both new and prospective—to network, meet, and mingle with both longtime friends and new acquaintances They also offer a timely update on the important work our association is doing to help builders navigate changing processes and connect with new players among senior city staff 27 SUMMER 2019 master builder