Research and Engagement

In order to build a plan that represents the needs of the residents, workers, businesses and visitors, the City engaged the public through a variety of methods, including large-scale polling of Seattle residents and neighboring King County cities, neighborhood listening sessions, a community stakeholder survey, as well as many individual conversations.

What should the future look like?

A February 2023 poll gathered insights from 761 Seattle-area residents in order to understand their ideal vision of Downtown Seattle.

”[I would like to see] a city full of live, festivals, restaurants/bars. A city that is beautiful in the day and fun in the night.”

- 21, Female, Hispanic/Latina, Greenwood

“[I would like to see more for] increased safety, fewer homeless on the streets with local restaurants and parks for young families.”

- 32, Female, White, Renton

“[I would like to see] mixed-income multi-family dwellings with small parks located throughout, and also scattering of small, locally- owned shops, convenience stores, wireless providers' kiosks, sandwich shops, dog day care, WAY more parking available, some mandated to be built in as a condition of new construction of housing, pedestrian-only areas…”

- 56, Female, White, Magnolia

“My ideal downtown Seattle would include more accessible public entertainment spaces for events and vendors, as well as more public seating.”

- 29, Female, Multiracial, Shoreline

“[We need a] safe place for families for lots of things and to lower the prices. Lots of cafés, free parking lots, no drugs or homeless people. Lots of playgrounds for children safe to be.”

- 45, East Asian, Kent

“First I would work on sustainable housing for our homeless neighbors. That would be the first thing to help downtown Seattle.”

- 28, Female, White, Renton

“[Add] more business on 3rd Ave.”

- 60, Female, Black, Central District/Madrona

“[Add] lots of apartments, not the hotel type of apartments.”

- 43, Male, Black, Belltown

“I would put a park in the middle, things like Target and Walgreens near the middle with a few food options. I'd have small businesses on the outside bridging the gap between neighborhoods and downtown. I'd remove more buses and add more trains.”

- 34, Male, Black, Shoreline

“Vibrant and inclusive, sustainable and green, creative and innovative, connected and integrated.”

- 41, Male, White, Belltown/Downtown

“Better public transportation (more light rail all over), more safety, more dog parks.”

- 35, Female, White, Bellevue

“A safe, clean and diverse area with good restaurants, lots of shopping, more museums/galleries and lots of greenery/plants.”

- 36, Male, White, Beacon Hill/Mount Baker

What’s Not Working?

When asked specifically what they dislike about their experience Downtown currently, respondents offered key concerns.

“Ongoing construction work area [is my least favorite part].”

- 75, Male, Black, Westlake

“Driving and parking is horrible. Downtown is starting to become less walkable.”

- 23, Female, South Asian, Capitol Hill

“The fact you must pay for everything, parking, tolls, etc.”

- 31, Male, Multiracial, White Center

“It is really difficult to find parking and it's enough to deter me from going.”

- 31, Female, Hispanic/Latina, Queen Anne

“The fight it takes to get a parking spot and the ridiculous amount we have to pay to work there.

- 56, Male, White, Kent

“I always avoid downtown Seattle's 3rd Avenue, particularly between Pike and Pine, and James and Yesler.”

- 47, Male, White, Downtown (Pike/Pine)

“I don't go to Seattle anymore because I don't feel safe enough to bring my children.”

- 39, Female, Middle Eastern, Glendale/Georgetown

“After dark, the city changes dramatically to vibes of fear and caution. I refuse to walk alone in Seattle at night. Homeless are more forceful and arguments and fights rise as it gets to the time the bars begin to close.”

- 44, Female, White, Kent

“My least favorite thing about downtown is being faced with the homeless epidemic. It's so sad.”

- 54, Female, Multiracial, Issaquah

“I think that we could do a much better job of taking care of the homeless community in our area.”

- 28, Female, White, Renton/Maplewood

What challenges are you facing Downtown?

A February 2023 poll gathered insights from 761 Seattle-area residents in order to understand what challenges they are experiencing associated with Downtown Seattle.

“Ongoing construction work area [is my least favorite part].”

75, Male, Black, Westlake

“Driving and parking is horrible. Downtown is starting to become less walkable.”

- 23, Female, South Asian, Capitol Hill

“The fact you must pay for everything, parking, tolls, etc.”

- 31, Male, Multiracial, White Center

“It is really difficult to find parking and it's enough to deter me from going.”

- 31, Female, Hispanic/Latina, Queen Anne

“The fight it takes to get a parking spot and the ridiculous amount we have to pay to work there.

- 56, Male, White, Kent

“I always avoid downtown Seattle's 3rd Avenue, particularly between Pike and Pine, and James and Yesler.”

47, Male, White, Downtown (Pike/Pine)

“I don't go to Seattle anymore because I don't feel safe enough to bring my children.”

- 39, Female, Middle Eastern, Glendale/Georgetown

“After dark, the city changes dramatically to vibes of fear and caution. I refuse to walk alone in Seattle at night. Homeless are more forceful and arguments and fights rise as it gets to the time the bars begin to close.”

- 44, Female, White, Kent

“My least favorite thing about downtown is being faced with the homeless epidemic. It's so sad.”

- 54, Female, Multiracial, Issaquah

“I think that we could do a much better job of taking care of the homeless community in our area.”

- 28, Female, White, Renton/Maplewood

Who We Spoke to

A diverse and affordable Downtown that is literally accessible with improved parking, transit, and traffic conditions. Accessibility is a key theme residents reference when talking about how much time and resources they are willing to spend in Downtown. Seattle area residents emphasize the need for a more affordable Downtown, particularly for lower-income families while nearby King County residents reference parking, traffic and transit.

Residents of Seattle and
Nearby King County

Age

Race/Ethnicity

Gender

Parental Status

External Engagement

Following the February 2023 poll of Seattleites, the City engaged in efforts to get broad feedback from the community and external partners across Downtown. In total, over 800 individuals were invited to review and provide feedback on the Downtown Activation Plan.

Download External engagement Summary

Public Polling

Avalanche Insights gathered insights from 761 Seattle-area residents in order to understand their ideal vision of what Downtown Seattle promises in terms of environment, experience and opportunity. Seattle-area residents express a desire for a Downtown that is vibrant, beautiful, accessible and safe. Read more about highlights from their research here.

Download Survey Insights Summary