A few weeks in the past, we requested you, readers, if an op-ed urging residents to return to downtown Seattle had any sway with you (“Tourists are coming back to downtown Seattle. But we need locals, too,” Dec. 5.) The highest causes for not visiting have been parking availability/price and public dysfunction, whereas others discovered their completely happy locations at Pike Place Market or the brand new waterfront park (can affirm, each of those are worthy). Solutions involving public transportation hit on acquainted themes: One individual’s fantastically handy journey is one other’s ache level.
Here’s a sampling of these responses. They’ve been calmly edited for house and readability.
— Melissa Davis, deputy opinion editor
First look introduced me again
My first have a look at Seattle was late summer season 1980 as I walked from the Greyhound bus terminal to the totem pole at Pike Place Market with my big backpack. I used to be on my manner from L.A. to upstate New York for my first yr of school. I nonetheless have that image in my thoughts of Elliott Bay and the Olympics. There was additionally an vitality downtown and across the Market.
Seven years later — 1987 — I used to be working in Detroit and was given three choices for relocation as a part of a promotion: Atlanta, Boston or Seattle. I picked Seattle.
There have been two extra strikes away from the Northwest, however 15 years in the past, after we have been in a position to choose the place we wished to dwell, we picked the Seattle space and ended up on Bainbridge. A giant a part of the draw was the straightforward entry to the town — Mariners/Sounders/Seahawks, Seattle Middle, the Market, procuring downtown, Seattle Symphony, Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Opera and fabulous eating places all inside strolling distance, or a brief journey on Hyperlink or a bus journey from the ferry.
I nonetheless love going to the town, and the brand new waterfront is beautiful, however the single largest obstacle coming from this facet of Elliott Bay is dependable, predictable, reasonably priced transportation. Between the ferry system and Hyperlink, there are too many occasions when my journey has been delayed 30 to 60 minutes-plus. When you’ve got a babysitter or must get a canine sitter in case of prolonged delay, that will get much more costly. I’ve heard from mates that extra are taking their automobiles as a result of they fear that they will’t depend on public transportation and should must drive round. The associated fee and lack of dependability dissuade many individuals from making the hassle.
Carolyn Burger, Bainbridge Island
Bikes and boats
I dwell in Bremerton, and now that we’ve got a two-boat ferry (quick ferry and Washington State Ferries vessel), I take advantage of the service to go to downtown Seattle.
I’m 75, and I like to bike on our tandem or my recumbent tricycle. Seattle is a way more bicycle-friendly metropolis than Bremerton. My husband and I come to Seattle to see household, for medical appointments and to go to museums and cultural occasions.
The downtown waterfront enhancements are superior. It’s stunning, and it seems safer than it was. The park on the pier is so family-friendly. I loved seeing folks on the swings near the ferry. All good things.
Bremerton and Seattle ought to companion. We want you, and I feel you want us. These of us who’re retired like to take the ferry to downtown Seattle for a day of actions, together with consuming, in fact. A partnership may benefit each of us. Our downtown is bettering, however oh-so-slowly. Now that we’ve got a two-boat ferry route, we should always see extra guests from Seattle in downtown Bremerton.
Dianne Iverson, vp, West Sound Biking Membership
From Nordstrom to the Needle
I used to be born and raised within the Seattle area. I reside close to Seattle College and recognize the convenience of journey and taking one bus to go to our beautiful downtown a few occasions a month.
I like strolling by Pike Place Market, going to MoPOP or the aquarium or Seattle Artwork Museum. I go to the Area Needle any time I really feel prefer it; I all the time really feel impressed and love the grins of everybody strolling on, or who’re afraid of, the clear flooring. (Thanks, Area Needle, for the $99 seven-month move for us locals!) I’ve a household move for the Pacific Science Middle, the place I take mates and their youngsters to go to the displays and the butterfly home. I do buy gadgets downtown as nicely. Lately, I shopped on the Nordstrom flagship retailer for items, Pressed Juicery on Queen Anne for wholesome drinks and Goal for a pillow.
This time of yr is all the time particular to me with lights and colour and alternatives for small joys, like visiting the Fairmont Olympic Resort Teddy Bear Suite and the Sheraton Grand Seattle Gingerbread Village. A stroll alongside the waterfront will invigorate your physique and soul this brisk time of yr. Take time to cease within the Marketplace for sizzling cider, sizzling chocolate or well-known Seattle espresso.
Janice Tufte, Seattle
Battle on automobiles
We moved to Issaquah from New York Metropolis in 1981. We selected it due to easy accessibility to downtown procuring, theaters, eating, museums, and so on. Due to Seattle’s battle on automobiles for the previous 10 years, we principally have stopped going to downtown, Capitol Hill, Chinatown Worldwide District and Pioneer Sq.. Bike and bus lanes trigger congestion, arbitrary lack of avenue parking makes short-term visits inconceivable, then there’s the high-priced business parking, and the hostile signage makes driving complicated and harmful. We’re in our 80s and the automotive is the one cheap mode of transportation.
Robert Fast, Bellevue
Whereas we’re speaking about automobiles …
I’ve visited downtown Seattle a couple of occasions this yr, for the “No Kings” marches and two birthday events for mates and family. I wouldn’t have gone if I hadn’t been in a position to park free at my cousin’s rental. An answer is clear and it doesn’t take a genius: Put in free parking! If downtown provided free parking (like Bellevue does), there could be many extra folks going there.
Louise Lewis, Seattle
I keep up north
I’m a local Seattleite and at present dwell in Shoreline. I hardly ever go downtown, which is a bit ironic, as for a few years I labored within the tourism business, each for Argosy and the previous Seattle Marine Aquarium on the finish of Pier 56. I miss the previous Seattle that was a mix of cafes, common shops (sure, even a ironmongery shop) and a waterfront that truly had a fisheries provide retailer. A lot of that’s gone. I like the waterfront makeover and the brand new aquarium. However I tire of individuals making an attempt to promote tacky T-shirts, pawn off CDs and ask me the place I’m from, as if I’m from out of state. Assuming I can navigate the maze of driving downtown, parking charges are by the roof.
For me, sadly, most of my venturing out consists of staying north of the ship canal. A number of issues to see up north: Ballard, Woodland Park Zoo, Golden Gardens, Richmond Seashore and Edmonds, the place parking is free and whose waterfront is a delight.
Sorry, Seattle. You ain’t what you was once.
Steve Dudley, Shoreline
A re-examination
The op-ed has piqued my curiosity and challenged me to take one other have a look at my metropolis. I’ve lived right here for a very long time and have seen a substantial amount of change through the years. I’m going to musicals at The fifth Avenue Theatre and typically go to the Seattle Artwork Museum. However when was the final time I strolled and browsed, a factor I simply beloved to do? I see issues opening up, and I’m glad for that. I’d like to see extra retail shops open. Possibly that may occur in time. Within the meantime, it is perhaps enjoyable to bundle up and take a stroll, simply to see what there may be.
Karen Bianchi, Seattle
‘Couldn’t get out quick sufficient’
I’ve not visited Seattle in eight years and don’t plan to go to within the foreseeable future. I labored in Belltown for 29 years and one other three in South Lake Union. I couldn’t get out of Seattle quick sufficient after retiring.
The explanations for leaving: homelessness, open drug use, prostitution, and use of metropolis sidewalks/alleys for urinating and defecating. Our constructing was continually being tagged with graffiti, and the town informed us we needed to clear it off or we’d be fined. I discovered two handguns stashed within the bushes in entrance of our workplace constructing. Folks used our landscaping as their private trash cans.
The explanations for not returning: The management has not discovered a method to cope with any of the problems that I famous above, and the political course they’ve taken isn’t one which I can assist. Leaders proceed to get extra progressive, wanting to herald extra tax income to resolve the famous issues, but we see the issues solely worsen. And I actually can’t stand the truth that when the town hosted the MLB All-Star Recreation, crews went out and cleaned the streets in order that the nation may see a clear Seattle. That’s like sweeping the mud beneath your carpet at residence as a result of friends are coming over. I’m certain they’re planning on doing the identical factor for the World Cup. How about cleansing it up for the residents and enterprise house owners? They’re there day-after-day.
I refuse to spend a dime in Seattle as a result of any tax cash the town collects beneath the progressive management shall be utterly wasted.
Steve Navarro, Oak Harbor
