Studying editorial “Let’s keep rolling with a car-free Pike Place Market” (Aug. 28, Opinion) was a shock and disturbing. Selling persevering with a car-free Pike Place Market into 2026 fully misses the historical past and objective of the Market.
From its starting in 1907, it was meant to be a real farmers’ market the place native distributors and purveyors might promote produce, fish, seafood and different edibles on to native consumers and restaurateurs. The oldest constantly working public meals market the nation, the Market has survived a number of makes an attempt by city politics to wreck its existence. It was by no means meant to be a sightseeing Pacific Northwest meals Disneyland some misguided Seattleites now appear intent on making it change into by eliminating automobiles by its important roadway and supply path.
Has anybody selling this variation investigated the actual causes for the Market’s life? Or talked in depth with Market distributors for his or her assessments? From the start there’s loads of proof (and Museum of Historical past & Business images) of trolley automobiles, horse-drawn carriages, vans, automobiles and bustling consumers who all discovered their place within the coronary heart of a bustling metropolis — and nonetheless can and nonetheless will with continued entry on Pike Place.
Why are some individuals making an attempt to vary what isn’t damaged?
Judith H. Dern, Seattle, member of Mates of Pike Place Market
