GNDT Jan. 14 – 20

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Hi all,

Sending our first Good News Downtown using our new format! These updates will help us continue to improve GNDT so that it showcases uplifting, interesting, positive stories about activities and people Downtown. 

If you have news or events to share or if you want to talk about the work being done to revitalize Downtown, send me an email.


Seattle parks FIFA

Photo Credit: Puget Sound Business Journal


⚽ The 2026 Men's World Cup ⚽

The world’s biggest sporting event will be here before you know it! The City and our partners see opportunities for the World Cup to be a catalyst for lasting improvements Downtown, from Westlake Park, to Occidental Square, to Third Avenue, and Seattle Center. Read more about upcoming improvements: Millions earmarked for downtown Seattle parks improvements ahead of 2026 World Cup – Puget Sound Business Journal.

Weekly digest

Metsker Maps

"World Beat Music Map" by Metsker Maps

🌎 Metsker Maps has been a staple of Pike Place Market since its founding in 1901. While smartphones may help people navigate Seattle, many appreciate the artistic nature of cartography and still frequent Metsker for all their unique maps including the “World Beat Music Map” picturing the world as sheet music: Metsker Maps in Pike Place Market helps Seattleites find their way – Seattle Times.

Soapbox project

Photo Credit: Seattle Times

The Soapbox Project helps people tackle loneliness, social anxiety, and climate change through their rotating venue of in-person Downtown Seattle events that focus on bringing people together to meet new friends and enact change in their community: Seattle group fights both climate anxiety and loneliness – Seattle Times.

👀 A mysterious new restaurant is coming to Downtown Seattle! A recent filling indicates a new restaurant named the 1928 Tap and Grill is planning to open Downtown , adding another dining option: Bar and grill eyed for vacant restaurant space in downtown Seattle – Puget Sound Business Journal.


Apple is moving in. The company is moving to fill a 193,000 square-foot lease in South Lake Union near Amazon’s headquarters, the largest new lease in Seattle since 2019: Apple inks Seattle’s biggest lease since 2019, takes over Meta office – Seattle Times.


Seattle is leading Portland, Chicago, and other peer cities in residential construction with over 4,000 new developments planned for Downtown and nearby neighborhoods: Downtown Seattle tops peer cities for residential construction — for now – Puget Sound Business Journal.

  • “The confidence investors have in our downtown is evident, and the steady growth in residential development and some continued investment in commercial projects shows the strength of our city as an economic and cultural hub,” DSA President and CEO Jon Scholes said in a news release.

🍽️ New restaurants are opening all the time in Downtown Seattle and Eater Seattle’s recent list helps highlight some of the hot new spots that opened recently:

  • Diamond Bay Seattle is a new Dim Sum spot with a big banquet room but be warned it fills up fast!
  • Karoo Café serves coffee by day and cocktails by night (including a host of mocktails for those participating in Dry January) located in the historic (and potentially haunted) Butterworth building. They also serve unique South African bar bites.
  • ShoMon Kappo Sushi serves delightful omakase out of a hole-in-the-wall storefront with a variety of unique courses.

Looking ahead

Axios Seattle kicked off the new year with a list of seven events happening in Seattle this month including:

  • Jan. 18: A Lunar New Year Fair at the Wing Luke Museum, including family-friendly art activities, outdoor Lion Dancing, and more.
  • Jan. 25 – 26: Ring in Lunar New Year at the Tết in Seattle festival at Seattle Center featuring art music, fashion, and food unique to Vietnam.

Looking to spice up your Downtown lunch break? Pioneer Park has free weekday serenades all week from Tuesday to Friday from 12 – 2 p.m. featuring local artists.


sculpture walk

Art credit: June Sekiguchi

Seattle Center includes a beautiful sculpture walk featuring art by a collection of spectacular artists, the sculptures rotate so make sure to see them before they are gone.