While some foot traffic areas of downtown Seattle are recovering past pre-COVID numbers, such as Capitol Hill or Pike Place Market, other corridors are not. Pike-Pine and Pioneer square areas are still full of broken windows and are dealing with crime and public safety issues.
“That’s an unfortunate reality that makes it harder to operate right now,” Downtown Seattle Association President and CEO Jon Scholes said.
Earlier this month, Amazon announced it had temporarily closed its Amazon Go store near 4th Avenue and Pike Street due to safety concerns for its customers and employees. Businesses nearby had been vandalized.
The good news is that the Pike-Pine corridor will soon receive cosmetic upgrades, improved landscaping and street lighting. Blocks away, business is bustling near Pike Place Market. Established businesses are busy again as they benefit from the return of tourists, business travelers, and convention center visitors. Capitol Hill retail space has filled fast as well.
