Washington state’s move Monday to Phase 3 of its COVID-19 recovery plan has the Downtown Seattle Association buzzing for business. The group released a new video proclaiming that “the heart of Seattle is open and it’s beating strong.”
Doors — and the roof of T-Mobile Park — are flying open throughout the video as it captures businesses from Pike Place Market to Pioneer Square and everywhere in between anticipating the return of customers.
Set to a dramatic score by violinist Tyler Kwak, the video offers enticing glimpses of food and drinks being served. Museums are open and the Monorail speeds past MoPOP. A fish is ready to fly at the Market and shoppers are seen entering Nordstrom.
Jon Scholes, president and CEO of the DSA, is seen on the Space Needle observation deck near the end of the video. With the Seattle skyline as a backdrop, Scholes seemingly waves for people to join him in the city.
The mood is all very optimistic as COVID-19 vaccines continue to be administered, large tech companies discuss their plans to reoccupy offices and spring brings a bit of hope after a year of pandemic struggles.
The video is a much different look than what DSA produced last April with a message that read, “The heart of our city is quiet.” That video, viewed almost 500,000 times on YouTube, captured boarded-up businesses and empty roadways as Seattleites stayed home to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.
In the time since, downtown Seattle has suffered as offices emptied in favor of remote work and tourism and events ground to a halt.
UPCOMING EVENT: Join GeekWire Thursday for a virtual Civic Conversation: Tackling Public Policy Challenges During a COVID Economy
DSA says its own tracking has logged the closure of 265 permanent street-level business locations in Seattle since the start of 2020, including 183 downtown. This was offset by some new businesses that still opened or announced intention to open during the pandemic, including 113 downtown.
DSA says downtown Seattle is home to more than 300,000 jobs and more than 80,000 residents. In its State of Downtown 2021 economic report in February, DSA said downtown lost 45,000 jobs in the second quarter of 2020 and ended the year with approximately 20,000 fewer jobs compared to the first quarter.
Phase 3 of Washington’s recovery includes new capacity levels for indoor restaurant dining, a limited number of spectators at sporting events and more.
