Downtown Seattle seeing signs of recovery, but challenges remain 

After years of struggling with rising crime, office vacancies, and economic uncertainty, downtown Seattle is showing signs of improvement. But while crime rates are dropping, businesses are opening, and workers are slowly returning, major challenges remain, according to the Downtown Seattle Association’s (DSA) latest State of Downtown report. 

“We’ve clearly turned the corner from where we were just a couple of years ago,” said DSA President and CEO Jon Scholes. “To be successful downtown, you have got to feel safe, you have to feel welcome, I t’s got to be clean. And if you don’t get that right, nothing else really works. And we weren’t getting that right a couple of years ago.” 

“I’d say under the leadership of our mayor, our city attorney, our council president, and new county prosecutor, we’ve also got a new police chief that’s just joined the department here in the last month, we’re moving in the right direction,” Scholes said. 

The annual report, released this week, highlights a decline in overdose deaths and violent crime in the downtown core. From September to December of last year, violent crime in key areas, including Third Avenue and Pine Street, dropped by 50 percent compared to two years ago. Observed drug activity also fell by 30 percent. 

We’ve got more officers applying for jobs than we’ve had in more than a decade,” Scholes said. “For the first time in years, we didn’t lose officers last year, and we’re seeing a reduction in violent crime and overdose deaths.” 

The improvement comes after significant investments in law enforcement, policy changes, and increased coordination between city officials and law enforcement agencies. Under Mayor Bruce Harrell, the city has focused on addressing street crime and visible drug use, which had deterred visitors and businesses from investing in downtown. 

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Third and Pine still a challenge, but improving 

While downtown Seattle is seeing signs of recovery, some areas remain a serious concern, especially Third Avenue and Pine Street, which has long been one of the most troubled intersections in the city. 

“They’re better than they were six months ago. Six months ago, those two blocks had more violent crime and overdose deaths than just about any block in the city,” said Jon Scholes, president and CEO of the Downtown Seattle Association. 

For years, the area has been plagued by open-air drug use, violent crime, and high-profile incidents that have shaped public perception of downtown safety. But Scholes said targeted efforts by the Seattle Police Department and city leaders have helped drive down crime. 

“With the support and action by the Seattle Police Department and leadership of our mayor and our own team out there with enhanced cleaning services and other interventions, we’ve seen a 50 percent reduction in violent crime between September and December relative to where we were two years ago and a reduction of about 30 percent in observed drug activity,” Scholes said. 

Still, problems persist. Many storefronts remain vacant, and while crime is down, it is still a concern. 

“Is it perfect? No. And there’s still vacancies and empty storefronts that we want to see filled up with great new small businesses. Again, we’re moving in the right direction,” Scholes said. 

He said the city is no longer taking a hands-off approach to crime and public disorder, which has helped change the dynamic at Third and Pine. 

“For too long, we weren’t able to distinguish between those who need help and those who are just out there causing harm,” he said. “We really didn’t do much in Seattle and sort of let it all happen. If you wanted to come downtown and set up a tent or break a window or harm somebody, in a lot of ways, you were free to do it. Thankfully, that’s not the case anymore.” 

Scholes credited an increase in coordination between city departments, law enforcement, and local businesses for making a measurable impact at the intersection. 

“There’s a level of daily collaboration between the Seattle Police Department, the Department of Transportation, our team, property owners, human service providers: calls every few days, figuring out where can we deploy, where can we pull resources from other places, what’s working, what’s not, tracking data and metrics,” he said. “Are we making a difference? Are we seeing crime go down? Are we seeing drug use go down? This level of operational excellence is what’s needed to break apart this disorder that we’ve seen for far too long.” 

Scholes said the focus must remain on ensuring that people who need help get it, while also holding accountable those who are committing crimes. 

“We need to be able to provide help to those that are hurting on our streets, but we also need to hold accountable those that are out there just hurting others,” he said. “We have new leaders in charge, and I think they’re sending a clear message of what’s acceptable and what’s not. If you’re out here just trying to hurt people, you’re going to be held accountable, and you’re going to go to jail. That’s what should happen.” 

Third and Pine is a key entry point to some of Seattle’s biggest attractions, including Pike Place Market and the soon-to-be completed waterfront. Scholes said it is critical for the area to become a place where people feel comfortable again. 

“It’s got to be great. It’s got to be the best street in Seattle,” Scholes said. “For a long time, it hasn’t been. But it’s much better than it’s been.” 

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Retail and business growth show promise 

Despite challenges, the report shows growth in the retail and hospitality industries. Last year, 88 new ground-level businesses opened downtown, including new restaurants, shops, and cafes. 

“There’s a number of long-term leases that were just signed,” Scholes said. “Portland Leather Goods will open later this year at Fourth and Pike, and we’ve got several restaurants opening in Pioneer Square.” 

But Scholes acknowledges that while more businesses are opening than closing, which is a shift from previous years, retail still has a long way to go. 

“COVID left us with a lot of vacancies, no doubt,” he said. “And a lot of folks had to close their doors that weren’t able to reopen. We have a lot of work to do to fill those spaces.” 

According to the report, retail foot traffic is recovering, and visitors are returning downtown. However, suburban malls and shopping centers continue to compete for customers, and perceptions of safety remain a barrier. 

“The ground-level experience in any downtown is what always matters,” Scholes said. “People want lots of options, they want choices, and they want to see life in those storefronts.” 

Office vacancies remain a major challenge 

One of the biggest hurdles facing downtown Seattle remains high office vacancy rates. With remote and hybrid work still the norm for many companies, downtown’s once-thriving office sector has struggled to regain its pre-pandemic workforce. 

“If you own an office building now, chances are you’re in a tough spot relative to 3-4 years ago, or even relative to the last downturn during the Great Recession,” Scholes said. 

According to the report, the number of workers in offices at least three days a week has steadily increased. January saw the highest office attendance since February 2020, with Amazon now requiring employees to return to the office five days a week. Other companies are following suit, either enforcing existing requirements or increasing in-office days. 

“We think downtown is still really relevant to work and to creating great culture, serving clients, and developing great strategy,” Scholes said. “I think we will cross the two-thirds mark for office attendance sometime this year.” 

While progress is being made, the DSA warns that vacant office space could continue to weigh on the downtown economy for years to come unless more companies bring workers back. 

The 2026 World Cup: A game-changer for Seattle 

One bright spot on the horizon is the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is expected to bring 750,000 visitors to Seattle over a six-week period in June and July. 

“This is the biggest event, biggest party on the planet that will descend on Seattle,” Scholes said. “And this tournament will have more games and more teams than any tournament in history.” 

Seattle will host at least one U.S. Men’s National Team match, which Scholes says is a testament to the city’s strong soccer culture. 

“They wanted to be part of the soccer culture and atmosphere that they know exists in Seattle,” he said. “That says a lot about our city, our sports culture, and the enthusiasm around soccer.” 

Scholes says by 2026, the revamped waterfront will be fully completed, and Seattle Center will host Fan Fest and viewing zones, allowing locals and visitors to experience the games, even if they don’t have a ticket to Lumen Field. 

“I think fans from around the world are going to have a phenomenal experience,” Scholes said. “The atmosphere in our city for those five or six weeks is going to be incredible.” 

Looking ahead: what needs to change? 

While the city is making strides, Scholes says there’s still work to do before Seattle’s downtown can fully recover. 

“If we’re having this conversation a year from now, my hope is that we will have continued to make measurable progress, to make downtown safer, healthier, and more welcoming to everybody,” he said. 

Scholes also emphasized the importance of filling vacant storefronts and making it easier for small businesses to invest. 

“Downtown retail has never been an easy business across the U.S. for the last 20 years,” he said. “Seattle has been one of those places that got hit hard by COVID but also has an opportunity to rebound.” 

Despite the setbacks of the past few years, Scholes remains optimistic about the future. 

“We have a vibrant downtown with world-class attractions: Pike Place Market, the waterfront, our arts and culture scene,” he said. “If we stay on this path, I think we’ll be talking about an even safer, more vibrant, and welcoming downtown next year.” 

Charlie Harger is the host of “Seattle’s Morning News”on KIRO Newsradio. You can read more of his stories and commentaries here. Follow Charlie on X and email him here. 

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