The Seattle City Council voted Tuesday to pass a resolution that would change one of the grittiest and most unsafe parts of the downtown area, Third Avenue.
Right now, a large portion of the street is designated for bus and bicycle traffic but the new resolution will allow for more sidewalk cafes, pedestrian space and retail.
During a Seattle City Council meeting on Sept. 21, councilmember Teresa Mosqueda expressed interest in moving forward with the resolution. Jon Scholes is president of the Downtown Seattle Association. The DSA collaborated with other stakeholders along Third Avenue to create a nearly 100-page plan, which offers ideas for how to reimagine the space.
“Everybody wants to see Third Avenue be a better street, and a street we don’t avoid, but one we’re trying to walk down and linger on, go grab a cup of coffee and sit outside,” said Scholes. Councilmember Tammy Morales isn’t necessarily against change but questioned whether the city has the money to make it happen.