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 had been parking availability/value and public dysfunction, whereas others discovered their completely satisfied locations at Pike Place Market or the brand new waterfront park (can verify, each of those are worthy). Solutions involving public transportation hit on acquainted themes: One particular person’s fantastically handy journey is one other’s ache level.
Here’s a sampling of these responses. They’ve been flippantly edited for house and readability.
— Melissa Davis, deputy opinion editor
First look introduced me again
My first take 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 large backpack. I used to be on my means from L.A. to upstate New York for my first 12 months of faculty. I nonetheless have that image in my thoughts of Elliott Bay and the Olympics. There was additionally an power 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, once we had been capable of decide the place we wished to stay, we picked the Seattle space and ended up on Bainbridge. An enormous a part of the draw was the straightforward entry to the town — Mariners/Sounders/Seahawks, Seattle Heart, the Market, purchasing downtown, Seattle Symphony, Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Opera and fabulous eating places all inside strolling distance, or a brief trip on Hyperlink or a bus trip from the ferry.
I nonetheless love going to the town, and the brand new waterfront is beautiful, however the single greatest obstacle coming from this aspect of Elliott Bay is dependable, predictable, reasonably priced transportation. Between the ferry system and Hyperlink, there are too many instances when my journey has been delayed 30 to 60 minutes-plus. If in case you have a babysitter or should get a canine sitter in case of prolonged delay, that will get much more costly. I’ve heard from associates that extra are taking their automobiles as a result of they fear that they will’t rely on public transportation and should should drive round. The fee and lack of dependability dissuade many individuals from making the hassle.
Carolyn Burger, Bainbridge Island
Bikes and boats
I stay in Bremerton, and now that we have now a two-boat ferry (quick ferry and Washington State Ferries vessel), I exploit 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 great things.
Bremerton and Seattle ought to accomplice. We’d like you, and I believe 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 have now a two-boat ferry route, we must always see extra guests from Seattle in downtown Bremerton.
Dianne Iverson, vice chairman, 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 instances a month.
I really like strolling by means of 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 ground. (Thanks, Area Needle, for the $99 seven-month go for us locals!) I’ve a household go for the Pacific Science Heart, the place I take associates and their kids to go to the reveals and the butterfly home. I do buy objects downtown as nicely. Just 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 12 months is all the time particular to me with lights and shade 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 12 months. Take time to cease within the Marketplace for sizzling cider, sizzling chocolate or well-known Seattle espresso.
Janice Tufte, Seattle
Conflict on automobiles
We moved to Issaquah from New York Metropolis in 1981. We selected it due to easy accessibility to downtown purchasing, theaters, eating, museums, and so on. Due to Seattle’s warfare on automobiles for the previous 10 years, we mainly 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 unattainable, then there’s the high-priced industrial parking, and the hostile signage makes driving complicated and harmful. We’re in our 80s and the automobile is the one affordable mode of transportation.
Robert Fast, Bellevue
Whereas we’re speaking about automobiles …
I’ve visited downtown Seattle just a few instances this 12 months, for the “No Kings” marches and two birthday events for associates and kinfolk. I wouldn’t have gone if I hadn’t been capable of 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 stay in Shoreline. I not often go downtown, which is a bit ironic, as for a few years I labored within the tourism business, each for Argosy and the outdated Seattle Marine Aquarium on the finish of Pier 56. I miss the outdated Seattle that was a combination 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 really like the waterfront makeover and the brand new aquarium. However I tire of individuals attempting 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 means of 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 Seaside and Edmonds, the place parking is free and whose waterfront is a delight.
Sorry, Seattle. You ain’t what you was.
Steve Dudley, Shoreline
A re-assessment
The op-ed has piqued my curiosity and challenged me to take one other take a look at my metropolis. I’ve lived right here for a very long time and have seen a substantial amount of change over time. I am 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 might 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’s.
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 consistently being tagged with graffiti, and the town advised 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. Individuals used our landscaping as their private trash cans.
The explanations for not returning: The management has not discovered a strategy to take care of any of the problems that I famous above, and the political course they’ve taken shouldn’t be one which I can help. Leaders proceed to get extra progressive, wanting to usher in 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 might see a clear Seattle. That’s like sweeping the mud below your carpet at dwelling as a result of company are coming over. I’m positive they’re planning on doing the identical factor for the World Cup. How about cleansing it up for the residents and enterprise homeowners? They’re there each day.
I refuse to spend a dime in Seattle as a result of any tax cash the town collects below the progressive management can be fully wasted.
Steve Navarro, Oak Harbor
