This week Jon Scholes, President and CEO of the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA), joined us to discuss the state of downtown. He pointed to positive momentum towards economic recovery and the dream of a “24/7 city,” with so many people moving downtown, but also warned of challenges including the high office vacancy rate. Other topics included:  

• Jumpstart payroll tax: Debate over whether the outcome has been more positive or negative for Seattle.
• Residential Conversion: Why converting office buildings to apartments is complicated and expensive, and what can be done.  
• Job Market Outlook: Scholes highlighted the fact that downtown Seattle is losing jobs while Bellevue is growing employment.  
• Crime: Crime is significantly down in the commercial core but has increased in Belltown and the ID. 
• Commuting trends: Scholes said people are still choosing transit, rideshare, or walking over cars, mostly because employers have maintained or increased their investment in employee transit passes. 
• Transit: Light rail ridership has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, and train service is improving.
• Homeless Solutions: Scholes spoke about the need to scale up the "gold standard" model for dedicated outreach and enhanced shelters. 
• Overdose Rates: Fatal and recorded overdoses in the downtown area are trending downward. 
• City Spending: Should success be measured by increased spending or results? Not much debate about this.  
• Convention Center: Is it all one big boondoggle? 
• Police Cameras: More debate about the use of public safety cameras, only this time it’s Erica v Jon.

Our editor is Quinn Waller.

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