CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION __________________
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A RESOLUTION endorsing the goals of the Downtown Seattle Association's Third Avenue Vision; and stating the intent of The City of Seattle to work collaboratively with the Downtown Seattle Association, King County Metro, and Sound Transit to pursue improvements to Third Avenue in Downtown Seattle.
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WHEREAS, Third Avenue is a critical transit corridor through Downtown Seattle, carrying approximately pre-pandemic 52,000 transit riders per day; and
WHEREAS, several characteristics are currently contributing to the pedestrian experience on Third Avenue, and indirectly, the viability of adjacent businesses, including but not limited to the high volume of transit, a lack of public open space, blank walls or facades facing the corridor, and a high volume of office towers with underutilized lobbies; and
WHEREAS, in 2019, the Downtown Seattle Association convened hundreds of stakeholders, engaged building owners, businesses, residents, elected leaders, and government agencies to develop a vision for Third Avenue that maintains transit capacity while serving the diverse needs of pedestrians, business owners, and residents; and
WHEREAS, the Downtown Seattle Association subsequently released the "Third Avenue Vision - A Road of Possibilities" report to explore options for reconfiguring transit use of Third Avenue and providing more opportunities for pedestrians, sidewalk cafes, retail, and other street uses; and
WHEREAS, the Third Avenue Vision can be a catalyst for a robust new transit, economic development, and open space plan for Third Avenue; and
WHEREAS, a vibrant Third Avenue is compatible with the City's vision for Pike Street, Pine Street, and improved connections to the Seattle Waterfront; and
WHEREAS, other cities, including Denver, Minneapolis, Portland, and Vancouver, British Columbia have shown that key transit streets can be improved for the benefit of pedestrians and transit; and
WHEREAS, making improveme...
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