Jon Scholes Outlines Bold Vision to Revitalize and “Save” Downtown Seattle

In a recent appearance on KIRO Newsradio, Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) President Jon Scholes shared a candid assessment of the city’s core, arguing that Seattle is at a critical crossroads that requires immediate, decisive action to ensure its long-term survival.

The Hybrid Work Crisis Scholes emphasized that the “old” version of downtown, which relied almost exclusively on a five-day-a-week commuter population, is likely gone for good. With office vacancy rates remaining stubbornly high, he stressed that the city must pivot away from being a monoculture of office towers and toward a more diverse, “24/7” residential and entertainment hub.

Safety and Cleanliness as Foundation A recurring theme in Scholes’ vision is the “basics” of urban management. He argued that for any revitalization plan to work, the city must prioritize:

• Public Safety: Increasing the visible presence of law enforcement and crisis responders to address open-air drug use and retail theft.
• Environmental Standards: Ensuring streets are clean, well-lit, and welcoming for families and tourists. Scholes noted that while progress has been made, the “perception of safety” still lags behind reality for many suburbanites hesitant to return to the city.

Legislative and Tax Reform Scholes didn’t shy away from politics, criticizing recent tax proposals that he believes place an undue burden on struggling businesses. He called for a more “competitive” tax environment that incentivizes companies to keep their headquarters in Seattle rather than fleeing to neighboring cities like Bellevue or Redmond. He warned that if the city continues to see its tax base erode, it won’t have the revenue necessary to fund the social services it desperately needs.

The Path Forward: Conversions and Culture To fill the void left by vacant offices, Scholes is advocating for:

1. Office-to-Residential Conversions: Streamlining the permitting process to turn empty cubicles into much-needed housing.
2. Arts and Small Business Support: Filling storefronts with local galleries, pop-up shops, and restaurants to create a unique “destination” experience that cannot be replicated online or in the suburbs.

Scholes concluded by stating that “saving” downtown isn’t just about the economy—it’s about the soul of the city. He urged city leaders to move past “analysis paralysis” and begin implementing these structural changes before the current window of opportunity closes.