Seattle City Makers

Summers in downtown Seattle are spectacular, attracting visitors from all over the world. As recent data indicates, the tourism sector is humming in downtown with record-breaking revenues and soaring visitor counts. Bringing people to our city (and building repeat visitors) is Visit Seattle President & CEO Tammy Canavan’s top priority. Jon and Tammy discuss the state of tourism in Seattle, our city’s position among its peers in a competitive environment, the future of business travel, Seattle’s new convention center and a lot more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Tammy Canavan.

Dani Cone got into the coffee business more than 30 years ago, “barista-ing” her way through high school and college. Three decades and three successful businesses later, Dani’s Cone & Steiner general store is doing brisk business in multiple locations, including Pioneer Square. On each leg of her journey, Dani has been guided by her grandma Molly’s advice: be good and do well. In this episode of Seattle City Makers, Jon and Dani dig into the challenges of steering her business through the pandemic, her current endeavors, advice for entrepreneurs and the impact of Taylor Swift’s record-breaking crowds.

What began as five beds at Fifth and Marion in downtown Seattle more than 100 years ago is now one of the nation’s leading children’s hospitals. At the helm of Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Seattle Children’s Research Institute is Dr. Jeff Sperring. Jon and Jeff discuss SCRI’s areas of focus, the mental and physical health of children coming out of the pandemic, the impact of artificial intelligence and more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Dr. Jeff Sperring.

Getting people off the streets and into housing is one of our city’s most pressing issues. Karen Lee took the reins at Plymouth Housing – one of the region’s largest providers of permanent supportive housing – a little more than a year ago. Jon and Karen discuss the crisis of homelessness, how fentanyl has impacted the community, her time at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and much more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Karen Lee.

There are few, if any, reporters in Seattle who have operated at the nexus of sports, politics and business quite like Chris Daniels. After cutting his teeth in smaller markets, KOMO 4’s senior reporter, Daniels spent nearly two decades at the local NBC affiliate (KING 5). Jon and Chris discuss his career in broadcast journalism; changes in the industry; the saga of the Seattle Supersonics and the odds of their return; the upcoming City Council elections; and much more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Chris Daniels.

EMC Research Senior Principal Andrew Thibault has been conducting public opinion research in Seattle since the mid-90s – he has his finger squarely on the pulse of our city’s electorate. DSA commissioned Andrew and his team to survey likely Seattle voters in May ahead of an extremely crowded City Council primary election with seven of nine seats on the ballot and more than 40 candidates in the field. Andrew and Jon discuss EMC’s recent findings, how Seattle voters feel about downtown, the importance people place on the health of downtown to the rest of the city, Seattle’s political landscape relative to peer cities and much more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Andrew Thibault.

Prior to running for Seattle City Attorney, Ann Davison called the position the “impact seat” – a role that can have a cascading effect on public safety in Seattle. From launching the High Utilizer Initiative to helping craft proposed legislation on public drug use, she’s had a busy first year in the impact seat. Ann and Jon discuss her path to the role of Seattle’s top prosecutor, the fentanyl crisis, her time spent working for the Seattle Supersonics and much more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Ann Davison.

He’s responsible for perhaps the greatest urban park renovation in the nation and he’s once again lending his considerable insights to downtown Seattle. The founder of the Bryant Park Corporation, Dan Biederman and his team transformed Manhattan’s Bryant Park from a drug-infested area to be avoided into what is now considered the gold standard of active, vibrant urban public spaces. Time Magazine called the renovation a “small miracle.” DSA took many of Dan’s best practices and applied them to the management of Westlake Park and Occidental Square, and will be working with him on additional downtown spaces. Jon and Dan discuss his impressions of Seattle’s urban parks, bringing people back to downtowns, his favorite cities and projects and more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Dan Biederman.

Dominique Davis changes lives. Drawing upon personal background and community relationships, Davis founded Community Passageways in 2017 with the goal of zero youth incarceration. Working on felony diversion and prevention has led to additional community-focused work, including a new effort to deliver safety, intervention and services to people in need along Third Avenue. Jon and Dominique dig into how his past has shaped his approach, the idea of defunding the police, what his team is seeing on Third Avenue and more. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Dominique Davis.

In a city with a worldwide reputation for great coffee, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better spot for espresso than the small but mighty Monorail Espresso. Aimee Peck started working at Monorail as a barista in 2008 and she took over the operation just a few years later. Aimee and Jon discussed Monorail Espresso’s origin story, the state of the industry, expansion plans and a truly perfect Sunday. What’s more, Aimee reveals a superpower – knowing someone’s preferred drink by seeing their picture. She nailed it. Join us for Seattle City Makers with Jon Scholes and guest Aimee Peck.