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

🏀👀 Seattle could be welcoming back our own NBA franchise! The NBA commissioner gave the go-ahead for expansion talks in the coming months, putting Seattle back in the conversation for a potential team. It’s the clearest signal in years that NBA basketball could make a long-awaited return: NBA votes to explore Seattle expansion, possible Sonics return – Seattle Times.

Credit: AP Photo / Lindsey Wasson

⚾🔱 It’s officially baseball season! The Mariners kicked off its 50th season Thursday against the Cleveland Guardians. Fans brought a lot of energy to T-Mobile Park and SODO, boosting nearby local businesses. Festivities included the unveiling of the M’s newest banner celebrating their 2025 AL West Championship: Seattle Mariners Opening Day: PHOTOS – King5.

⚽🥅 The 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup is expected to boost Seattle's economy. With matches hosted at Seattle Stadium, the city anticipates welcoming around 750,000 global fans. Local officials estimate the event could generate up to $845 million in revenue and support 19,000 jobs, highlighting Seattle's growing reputation as a hub for major international events: FIFA World Cup expected to generate $845 million for Seattle – FOX 13 Seattle.

📶👍 The Seattle Convention Center returned to profitability in 2025, generating $1.4 million in net operating income for the first time since the pandemic. The milestone reflects a strengthening visitor economy and continued recovery across Seattle’s convention and hospitality sectors: Seattle Convention Center edges back to profitability after major expansion – Puget Sound Business Journal.

Credit: Kilig

🍴😋 The New York Times updated its “25 Best Restaurants in Seattle Right Now” list. The series highlights favorites across Seattle, including three Downtown spots:

• Itsumono in the Chinatown-International District features a menu that is always changing, but be on the lookout for popular dishes like the Loco Moco Scotch Egg or the Piggy Parm Katsu Sando.
• Kilig, also in the C-ID, serves Filipino food amid kaleidoscopic décor. Menu highlights include dan dan noodles, pork adobo, and beef shank sabaw.
• Le Pichet in Pike Place Market features French bistro classics like steak frites and reasonably priced French wine.

🏈⚾ A new state law will direct existing stadium tax revenue to support Historic South Downtown’s work in the Chinatown-International District and Pioneer Square. Over the next decade, 30% of sales tax from Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park will fund this state entity’s work toward preservation, small businesses, and safety without creating new taxes: New law directs stadium tax revenue to CID, Pioneer Square preservation – NW Asian Weekly.

🎉⭐ Kin On, the Chinatown-International District’s longtime elder care and social services provider, named Ketty Hsieh as its new CEO. A current board member with more than 25 years of healthcare and finance experience, Hsieh steps into the role as Kin On continues to expand services for Asian seniors across the region: Kin On board announces Hsieh as next CEO – NW Asian Weekly.

Looking ahead

Credit: Japantown

🌸🌳 It's cherry blossom season! Stop by Japantown for Sakura Matsuri on Saturday, April 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy hanami 花見 (flower viewing) at Kobe Terrace and check out vendor pop-ups offering Sakura-themed food and other items.

☕🥐 Get a taste of Seattle’s coffee scene with DELICIOUSNESS, a pastry and coffee crawl running daily over the next few weeks. This two-hour walk takes you from the Pike Hill Climb to Pioneer Square, with stops for coffee, baked treats, and local history.

Credit: MOHAI

🎎🖼️ Experience a piece of Seattle history at Tadaima: “I’m Home!" at MOHAI. This installation, which opened this week, reunites traditional Boys’ and Girls’ Day dolls with the Japanese American community after more than 80 years, celebrating resilience, memory, and cultural traditions. The exhibit invites visitors of all ages to honor these treasured objects and their stories.