Downtown Seattle Association Focuses on Future

The Downtown Seattle Association regularly tracks the city’s slow march toward post-pandemic recovery but is increasingly excited about the future.

The DSA — a nonprofit organization that represents 1,100 members — held its annual meeting yesterday, an event featuring Gov. Bob Ferguson, Mayor Bruce Harrell and DSA President Jon Scholes.

Next year’s FIFA Men’s World Cup is a prime focus. The six matches in June and July 2026 are projected to generate up to $1 billion in economic impact in King County and create 21,000 jobs.

“This massive influx of visitors will be an economic driver for downtown Seattle and help boost the hospitality and service industries,” the group’s economic report notes. “Efforts are underway to ensure the benefits of the World Cup are shared throughout local businesses in surrounding neighborhoods, including Pioneer Square, the Chinatown-International District and SODO.”

The event also highlighted increased light rail service to downtown with the expansion of Sound Transit’s Link light rail network; the potential of the 20-acre Waterfront Park and soon-to-be completed Elliott Bay Connections project, an effort that will create a pedestrian and cyclist-friendly route from Pier 62 to Smith Cove (the northern part of Elliott Bay); the revitalization of Memorial Stadium at Seattle Center, a project expected to be completed in 2027; the new Cannonball Arts contemporary arts center at Third Avenue and Virginia Street; and the upcoming cruise season, which is anticipated to set passenger records with a projected 1.9 million visitors.

DSA also listed this demographic snapshot of downtown:

• Total population: 108,488.
• Median age: 34
• Median household income: $117,375.
• Education: 72.3% have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Only 4.2% are under age 18.
• About 50% of residents are nonwhite (compared to 36.4% across the entire city).
• About 80% are renters.

“Downtown is the heartbeat of our city,” said Harrell, who has launched his re-election campaign (the general election is Nov. 5). “Together, we are going beyond a Monday-to-Friday pitstop to create a dynamic Sunday-to-Sunday neighborhood.”