With more than 450 downtown businesses permanently closed, the City of Seattle is moving to temporarily relax its rules governing the use of storefront spaces. The hope is that this move will open these spaces up to non-profits, artists, museums, and a wider variety of businesses to bring needed vitality to downtown.

Read more: Get on the details of Mayor Durkan’s announcement regarding temporary storefront rules.

The City is also teaming up with the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) on a series of “Welcome Back Weeks.” These events are part of the city’s $9 million investment to clean up and bring back activity into its downtown. DSA is investing an additional $3.2 million in downtown cleanup, and revitalization efforts paid for in part through the Midtown Improvement District it operates.