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 us an email.

Weekly digest

Credit: Erik Holsather / Friends of Waterfront Park

🌊😎 In an incredible 2025 season, Waterfront Park welcomed 3.2 million visitors, with 1.9 million coming from Washington state alone, making it a top Downtown destination for locals and visitors alike. The park hosted 309 free public events, engaging over 90,000 participants in various programs and establishing itself as a lively gathering place for everyone: Waterfront Park’s Grand Opening Season: By the Numbers – Friends of Waterfront Park.

Downtown’s culinary scene is expanding with the arrival of Cinder + Salt, a coastal-inspired restaurant set to open this April on the ground floor of The Charter Hotel. The new 2,790 square-foot space highlights Pacific Northwest seafood with dishes like Dungeness crab rolls and wood-grilled octopus alongside steaks and bold coastal flavors: Coastal-inspired restaurant to debut near Pike Place Market – Puget Sound Business Journal.

Credit: Stephanie Russell / Stone Photography

📕💘 Beguiled Books is attracting book lovers to Pioneer Square. Since opening in December, the indie shop draws readers with its colorful pink decor, a cozy rom-com-ready reading nook, themed merchandise, and its popular “Blind Date with a Book” wall. Owners say the strong, early turnout reflects both a thriving romance community and growing support for independent bookstores: Beguiled Books in Pioneer Square lives up to its name – The Seattle Times.

🏙️⚖️ Two global law firms, Morrison Foerster and McGuireWoods, are opening new offices in Downtown, adding fresh demand to the office market. Their move reflects confidence in the region’s economy and underscores Downtown’s role as a hub for legal, corporate, and technology clients: Law firms expand into Seattle in promising sign for Downtown office market – CoStar.

Looking ahead

🎬📽️ Explore the World of Wong Kar Wai at SIFF Cinema Downtown. Starting this Friday, SIFF is presenting an eight-film retrospective of the famed director's work. Catch 4k restorations of films like “In the Mood for Love,” “Chungking Express,” and other classics February 20 through March 4.

⚽🥅 Get ready for game day! Seattle Sounders FC kicks off the 2026 season this Sunday, February 22, with a home opener at Lumen Field against the Colorado Rapids. The match starts at 6:15 p.m.

Credit: Seattle Jazz Fellowship and Alliance for Pioneer Square

🎺🎷 Cold nights meet hot jazz! Jazz Night in Pioneer Square returns Tuesday, February 24. Hosted by the Seattle Jazz Fellowship and the Alliance for Pioneer Square, enjoy an evening of free live jazz from 5:30 – 10 p.m. across 15 neighborhood venues.

🎶✨ Charley Crockett is bringing his signature blend of Americana, blues, and country to the Moore Theatre on Thursday, March 5. Known for his soulful vocals and vintage-infused sound, Crockett is set to deliver a high-energy night of live music that will draw fans from across the region into Downtown.