By james art 
After years of fighting increasing crime, job vacancies and economic uncertainty, the Seattle Center shows signs of improvement. But while the crime rate decreases, businesses open, and workers are slowly returning, the main challenges remain, according to DSA) at the Center of Seattle Association (DSA) Center state reportS
“We have apparently turned the corner from where we were only a few years ago,” said DSA President and CEO John Scholes. “In order to be successful in the city center, you have to feel safe, you must feel welcome, I must be clean. And if you don’t get it right, nothing else really works. And a few years ago we didn’t get better. “
“I would say under the leadership of our mayor, our city lawyer, chairman of our council and a new district prosecutor, we also have a new police chief who has just joined the department here in the last month, we move in the right direction said Scoles.
The annual report, published this week, stresses a decline in the death of overdose and violence in the center of the center. From September to December last year, violence in key areas, including Third Avenue and Pine Street, dropped by 50 percent compared to two years ago. The observed activity of the drug also fell by 30 percent.
We have more employees who are applying for a job than we had more than a decade, “Scholes said. “For the first time in years, we have not lost officers last year and have observed a decrease in violent crime and the death of an overdose.”
The improvement comes after significant investments in law enforcement, changes in policy and increased coordination between urban officials and law enforcement agencies. Under the mayor Bruce Harel, the city focused on addressing street crime and visible drug use, which have deterred visitors and businesses to invest in the city center.
Related Mynorthwest: Visitors fill the streets in the center of Seattle near the levels before the pandemic
Third and pine, still challenge but improvement
While in the center of Seattle he sees signs of recovery, some areas remain a serious concern, especially Third Avenue and Pine Street, which has long been one of the most problematic intersections in the city.
“They are better than six months ago. Six months ago, these two blocks had more abuse and death of an overdose than almost every block in the city, “said John Scholes, president and executive director of the Seattle Center Association.
For years, the area has been struck by the use of outdoor drugs, violent crimes and incidents with high -profile incidents that have shaped the public perception of safety in the city center. But Skoules said the target efforts of the Seattle Police Department and the city leaders have helped reduce crime.
“With the support and actions of the Seattle Police Department and the management of our mayor and our own team there with improved cleaning services and other interventions, we saw a 50 percent reduction in violence between September and December to the place where we were two years ago and reduced At about 30 percent in the observed drug activity, “Skoules said.
However, the problems continue. Many showcases remain free and while crime is reduced, this is still a problem.
“Is it perfect? No. And there are still vacancies and empty showcases that we want to see, filled with great new small businesses. We are moving in the right direction again, “said Schools.
He said the city no longer took an approach to crime and public disorder, which helped to change the dynamics of the third and boron.
“For too long, we have not been able to distinguish those who need help and those who are just causing harm,” he said. “We really didn’t do much in Seattle and somehow allowed everything to happen. If you want to come to the city center and set a tent or break a window or harm someone, in many ways, you have been free to do so. Fortunately, this is no longer the case. “
Scholes credits an increase in coordination between urban departments, law enforcement agencies and local businesses to have a measurable impact at the intersection.
“There is a level of daily cooperation between the Seattle Police Department, the Ministry of Transport, our team, property owners, human service providers: call every few days, figuring out where we can unfold, where we can withdraw resources from other places, What is work, what is not, data tracking and indicators, “he said. “Do we make a difference? Do we see crime decrease? Do we see the use of drugs decreasing? This level of operational achievements is what is needed to divide this disorder that we have seen too long. “
Skoules said the focus should remain on ensuring that people in need of help get it, while being responsible for those who commit crimes.
“We must be able to provide help to those who hurt on our streets, but we also have to carry responsible those who are there, just hurt others,” he said. “We have new leaders and I think they send a clear message about what is acceptable and what is not. If you are here, you are just trying to hurt people, you will be liable and go to prison. This should happen. “
Third and Pine is a key entrance point for some of Seattle’s biggest attractions, including the Pike Place market and the soon-to-end coast. Skoules said it was crucial for the area to become a place where people feel comfortable again.
“It has to be great. It has to be the best street in Seattle, “Skoles said. “It wasn’t for a long time. But it’s much better than it was. “
J and Ursula: The new Ben Bridge presenter in the center of Seattle is a sign of resumption?
Promise of an exhibition of retail and business growth
Despite the challenges, the report shows growth in the retail and hotel industry. Last year, 88 new ground -level businesses opened the city center, including new restaurants, shops and cafes.
“There are a number of long-term leasing contracts that have just been signed,” Scholes said. “The leather goods in Portland will open later this year to the fourth and Pike, and we have several restaurants that open at Pioneer Square.
But Scholes admits that while more businesses are opened than closing, which has been changed from previous years, retail has still had a long way.
“Covid left us very vacancies, without a doubt,” he said. “And many people had to close their doors, which were unable to open again. We have to do a lot of work to fill these spaces. “
According to the report, retail traffic is restored and visitors return to the city center. However, suburban centers and shopping centers continue to compete for customers, and safety perceptions remain a barrier.
“Earth’s experience in every center is what always matters,” Scholes said. “People want a lot of opportunities, want a choice and want to see life in these showcases.”
Office vacancies remain a major challenge
One of the largest obstacles facing the center of Seattle remains high rates of job vacancies. With the remote and hybrid work, still the norm for many companies, the once thriving office sector in the city center struggles to regain its pre-foreign workforce.
“If you now own an office building, you are likely to be in a difficult place compared to 3-4 years ago or even against the last decline during the big recession,” Schools said.
According to the report, the number of workers in the offices at least three days a week is constantly increasing. January has seen the highest visit to the office since February 2020, with Amazon now requires employees to return to the office five days a week. Other companies follow a suit, or apply existing requirements, or increase days in the office.
“We believe that the center is still really relevant to work and for creating a great culture, customer service and developing a great strategy,” Scholes said. “I think we will pass a two -third brand for office attendance sometime this year.”
While progress is made, DSA warns that vacancies can continue to weigh the center economy for years to come unless more companies return workers.
World Cup 2026: Changing the game for Seattle
A bright place on the horizon is the 2026 World Cup, which is expected to bring 750,000 visitors to Seattle for a six -week period in June and July.
“This is the biggest event, the biggest party on the planet, which will descend in Seattle,” Scholes said. “And this tournament will have more games and more teams than every tournament in history.”
Seattle will host at least one US national match, which Skoles says is a testament to the city’s strong football culture.
“They wanted to be part of the football culture and the atmosphere they knew existed in Seattle,” he said. “This speaks a lot about our city, our sports culture and enthusiasm for football.”
Skoles says that by 2026 the updated coast will be fully completed and the Seattle Center will host fans of fans and viewing areas that will allow locals and visitors to experience the games, even if they do not have a ticket to Lumen Field S
“I think fans from all over the world will have a phenomenal experience,” Scholes said. “The atmosphere in our city for these five or six weeks will be incredible.”
Watching forward: What needs to change?
While the city makes progress, Schools says it still has to do the job before the Center of Seattle can recover completely.
“If we have this conversation in a year, my hope is that we will continue to make a measurable progress, make the city center more fascinated, more healthy and more welcoming to everyone,” he said.
Scholes also emphasized the importance of filling in free showcases and facilitating the investment of small business.
“The retail center has never been an easy business in the US for the last 20 years,” he said. “Seattle is one of those places that hit Kovid hard, but also has the opportunity to bounce.”
Despite the failures over the last few years, Scholes remains optimistic for the future.
“We have a life center of world -class attractions: Pike Place Market, the coastline, our scene for arts and culture,” he said. “If we stay this path, I think we will talk about even more converted, more lifely and welcoming center of the city next year.”
Charlie Harger is the host of “Seattle’s Morning News”of Kiro Newsradio. You can read more of his stories and comments hereS Follow Charlie on x and send him an email hereS
