GNDT Jan. 15 – 22

City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 01/22/2025 02:46 PM PST
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Hi all,

Sending another Good News Downtown, a communication to showcase 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.

🌎 Introducing the Seattle Climate Innovation Hub! 🌎

As the first Downtown space dedicated to advancing climate tech and clean energy solutions, this powerful collaboration between our office, CoMotion at the University of Washington, 9Zero Climate Innovation Hub, and Vertue Lab will foster innovation in clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and set the stage for Seattle to drive solutions to the global climate crisis.

My ussie with the crew at the launch:

SCIH ussie 2:3

📰 Read all about it:

Weekly digest

We’re not stopping at the climate hub! AI is a huge growth opportunity for the heart of the city as well. Our office is working closely with AI2 Incubator on the AI House, which will be a tremendous opportunity to help the City engage in this technology through responsible use. More to come! AI2 Incubator moving offices to Seattle waterfront at the former home of MTV’s ‘Real World’ show – GeekWire.

📈 New data from our friends at the Downtown Seattle Association shows foot traffic Downtown increasing every month in 2024 over 2023 numbers, including more than 2.4 million unique visitors visiting Downtown in December 2024, a 6% increase from 2023: Amazon Numbers Still Aren’t in, But Downtown is Again on the Upswing – Seattle Magazine.

🚤 Ridership on the King County Water Taxi between Vashon and Downtown Seattle jumped 55 percent during the last six months of 2024: Water Taxi surges as advocates plan for Legislative session | Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber.

New businesses opening Downtown!

“Retailers are beginning to have more confidence in the downtown market. This lease demonstrates the resilience of the city and the local business community.” Ghost Note Coffee plans to expand from its original location into Seattle Tower on Third Avenue: Capitol Hill coffee shop opens second location in downtown Seattle – Puget Sound Business Journal.

Columbia Food Co. is a new convenience and food store Downtown, courtesy of the founders of the Madison St. Market & Deli. It’s just one of the 88 new street-level businesses that opened within that area, according to the Downtown Seattle Association. Deli to fill ex-Starbucks space in downtown Seattle – Puget Sound Business Journal.

Seattle Times food writer Tan Vinh spotlights new eateries now open throughout Downtown in the piece, 45 new Seattle restaurants, coffee shops and bakeries to know about | The Seattle Times:

  • Based on its Yelp reviews, the all-you-can-eat hotpot and barbeque spot HowPot in the Chinatown-International District is the “newest hot spot in town.”
  • Not to be outdone by Ringo Curry, which Tan reports “has been driving foot traffic to the Chinatown-International District lately” thanks to its signature Japanese curry.
  • Vivienne’s Bistro is bringing its Asian fusion dishes and a few exclusive dishes such as lobster Rangoon and truffle soy hamachi to its new Downtown location in the Sheraton Grand. As their website teases, “be ready to be surprised by our specials.”
  • PLUS84 Coffee offers several tea and coffee varieties, as well as four different kinds of foam, at its new Belltown spot during its soft opening.
  • For traditional Mexican cuisine with a modern touch, La Llorona Taqueria is now open on 2nd Ave.
  • Order sushi by the pound at Nohm Sushi Bar in South Lake Union.
  • The Seattle Neapolitan pizza staple Tutta Bella is now firing up the pizza oven in the Denny Triangle REN building.
  • Bring on the butter 🧈 Pufftown Bakehouse serving innovative croissant varieties in Pike Place Market.
  • Down by the Waterfront, Café Remix has signature teas, coffees, Korean street cuisine and their unique “Souffle” dessert.
  • For a chicken sandwich at a lunch spot devoted to sustainably raised poultry practices, Joy is now taking orders at its South Lake Union location.

Looking ahead

CID lunar new year celebration

Credit: Seattle C-ID

SAVE-THE-DATE: The Chinatown-International District will celebrate the Lunar New Year at Hing Hay Park on Saturday, February 22. Interested in volunteering at this year’s event? See the available slots: CIDBIA 2025 Lunar New Year Event — Signup Sheet.

arts

Credit: ARTS

A new sculpture spanning three blocks along the Waterfront is officially opening on January 25 at 11 a.m. with a ceremony featuring civic and tribal leaders. The permanent artwork, created by artist Oscar Tuazon in consultation with the Suquamish Tribe and Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, invites visitors to learn from the longhouse and envision Indigenous futures on the Salish Sea. Light refreshments will be provided at this free event.

2025 is the 🐍 Year of the Snake 🐍 and the Downtown Seattle Association’s Lunar New Year Celebration on Sunday, January 26 at Westlake Park includes lion dance performances, red envelope giveaways, citrus-inspired specialty drinks and treats, and general fun for all ages.

🏀 The Harlem Globetrotters are coming to Seattle Center on January 26 at 3 p.m. The show will include trick-shots, complicated maneuvers, and new fun challenges to help spice up the show.

📸 Award-winning photojournalists and staff from the Seattle Times will tell the story of the year through photos at Seattle Central Library during the Pictures of the Year 2024 event on January 30 from 7 – 8:30 p.m.