GNDT March 26 – April 1

City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 04/01/2025 02:45 PM PDT

Hi all,

Sending another Good News Downtown, a communication to showcase uplifting, interesting, positive stories about activities and people Downtown.

A lot has happened in the last month, including the launch of AI House at Seattle’s historic Pier 70! The launch event drew partners from across industries to help celebrate the opening of the Seattle’s “AI Town Hall.” You have heard me say it before: big things happen when we are able to find excellent partners to get great work done. AI House is a testament to these kinds of partnerships.

As Mayor Harrell said in the State of the City address, our Downtown Activation Plan sees Downtown as “a city center that goes beyond a Monday-to-Friday pitstop and instead serves as a dynamic Sunday-to-Sunday neighborhood.” In other words – Downtown runs on people. As you’ll see below, there are some incredible activities for individuals and families to enjoy that take place right in heart of our city. From art, museums, and concerts, to retail, dining, and doughnut tours, there is so much to see and do. If you haven’t visited Downtown in a while, I encourage you to make a trip – it will be worth your while.

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.

- Markham

AI House event launch group picture with key stakeholders

AI House opens to propel next generation of entrepreneurs

🏠 AI House, which focuses on building the next era of AI in Downtown Seattle, officially opened March 26 with an event featuring Mayor Harrell.

“Our region is where thinkers, builders, and innovators come to bring big ideas to life, and this investment reflects our effort to make Seattle the best place for AI and tech to set up shop,” said Mayor Harrell.

Located at the historic Pier 70 on the 🚢 Waterfront, this new space will serve as an “AI Town Hall,” forming an ecosystem that brings together the talent creating the next wave of technology and research. Launched through a public-private partnership between our office, Washington State Department of Commerce, AI2 Incubator, and Ada Developers Academy, this hub provides co-working space, event space, and collaborative tools for founders creating AI-focused companies.

📰 Read all about it:

Weekly digest

Seattle Arts and Culture Director Gulgun Kayim speaking

Credit: Marcus Donner

Over 200 arts and culture leaders gathered at ARTS at King Street Station to connect, celebrate, and learn about how the City is partnering with the community to weave arts and culture into the revitalization of Downtown Seattle and the city as a whole. Seattle Office of Arts and Culture leads the arts and culture portion of the Downtown Activation Plan: 🎨 Downtown is Vibrant: The Path Forward with Arts and Culture - Art Beat.

STG 🤝 5th Ave. Theater and concert goers rejoice: two of the biggest names in Seattle arts are joining forces. Downtown icons like the Moore and Paramount join the cast of STG setting the stage for a strong theater season: 5th Avenue Theatre and Seattle Theatre Group form alliance - The Seattle Times.

People are enjoying the new attractions and amenities at the Seattle Waterfront. A new restroom facility, managed by the Seattle Center, makes it easier and more welcoming to spend the day on the piers: Seattle's Waterfront Park opens new all-gender public restrooms with full-time attendants - KOMO News.

Speaking of summer days on the Waterfront… 🌊🍦Molly Moon’s is bringing its homemade ice cream to the south end of the park. It is scheduled to open next month at the Washington Street Boat Landing Pergola.

“We’re incredibly excited to operate out of this historic Seattle location. It’s so beautiful and we feel confident that lots of happy moments are going to take place under the Pergola at the boat landing! Engagements at sunset. First-time visitors to Seattle watching the ferries sail in and out. Local families walking down from Pike Place Market and taking in the sights. There are endless opportunities to make memories and we hope it includes a scoop of our ice cream to make it that much sweeter." – Molly Moon’s CEO and founder Molly Moon Neitzel

New Molly Moon's location to open at Seattle waterfront. Here's when - king5.com.

Looking for a tour that kids will enjoy? Check out three Downtown options: Seattle Guided Tours: Explore hidden gems and iconic landmarks - Seattle's Child.

Doughnut trivia and tastes from four famous spots on the Underground Donut Tour.
A tour Beneath the Streets of Pioneer Square, Seattle’s first neighborhood.
The Wing Luke Museum Historic Hotel Tour takes visitors back to 1910 to explore the early Asian American experience in the Chinatown-International District.

⚾ Baseball season is in full swing. Seattle Met compiled a list of the best restaurants and bars to check out in Pioneer Square, SoDo, and the Chinatown-International District. Whether you're looking for a 🌭 pre-game meal or a 🍧quick snack to bring along, these spots are perfect for fueling up before the first pitch: Best Restaurants and Bars Near Seattle's Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park - Seattle Met.

Looking ahead

Photo of Civic Poet Dujie Tahat on the left a photo of Jahnvi Madan's playing piano on the right

Photo of Dujie Tahat by Troy Osaki (left) and Jahnvi Madan (right)

April’s First Thursday Art Walk in Pioneer Square will take place Thursday, April 3, with free parking available, featuring:

Greg Kucera Gallery is presenting an exhibition of twelve Jacob Lawrence prints depicting scenes from the life of the 18^th century Haitian general Toussain L’Ouverture, from 6 – 8 p.m.
From 5 – 9 p.m., Long Brothers Fine and Rare Books will showcase “WEIRDO TIMES: Early Seattle Punk Posters,” a rare selection of show posters from the late 1970s to early 1980s.
In celebration of National Poetry Month, King Street Station will host a Poetry Potluck with Civic Poet Dujie Tahat set to the backdrop of Jahnvi Madan’s final installment of Live Jazz Nights from 6 – 8 p.m. First Thursday: Poetry Potluck + Live Jazz Nights at King Street Station - seattle.gov.

An event at Central Library on Sunday, April 6, will honor the life and poetry of Colleen J. McElroy, a celebrated poet known for her deeply personal and global perspectives. Event starts at 3:30 p.m. and registration is required: Travelling Music: Honoring the Life of Colleen J. McElroy - The Seattle Public Library.

Vietnamese author Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai and photographer Peter Steinhauer will lead a discussion at Central Library on Tuesday, April 15 at 7 p.m. on how art bridges cultural and political divides. This event is part of the 50th commemoration of the Vietnam War and is free with required registration. Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai and Peter Steinhauer: "Enduring Spirit of Vietnam" - The Seattle Public Library.