Planners behind a proposal to add digital wayfinding kiosks with news and information, wi-fi access, directions, and advertisements, to the streets of Seattle’s core aren’t just looking at downtown — they’re also planning for the installations in the midst of Capitol Hill’s Pike/Pine nightlife district.
Planners from IKE Smart City and the Downtown Seattle Association recently presented an update on the program to the Pike/Pine Urban Neighborhood Council. In the session, the group was presented with images showing what kiosks would like along the sidewalks near 10th and Pike and in front of the Neumos music club.
“Kiosk initiative is a strategy within the Mayor’s Downtown Activation Plan to increase promotion of local businesses, events and attractions, and enhance the pedestrian experience,” one slide reads.
“Kiosks will be installed in commercial areas within the city, with input on locations from the BIAs, community stakeholders, and community groups,” the presentation materials say.
The presentation came after a summer of pushback on the proposal backed by Mayor Bruce Harrell over clutter and turning over the city’s right of way to the advertising platform behind the technology. There would be no cost to the city for the installation and maintenance of the kiosks which backers say would generate around $1 million a year in advertising for the DSA, the city, and possibly neighborhood Business Improvement Areas.
In its presentation, the DSA touts “public safety, interactive wayfinding, public art, free wi-fi, economic development through promotion of local businesses, communication of key city messaging and emergency notifications, promotion of local arts, culture, and community events, community messaging” as benefits of the system.
For now, the proposal is being floated with community groups like PPUNC and there is no schedule for legislation on the program from the Seattle City Council. Proponents would like the system in place in time for Seattle’s part in hosting the 2026 World Cup.
The DSA has long promoted the platform having first put forward the plan in 2019.
Capitol Hill’s Pike/Pine core has increasingly been included in programs and initiatives focused on Seattle’s downtown including the work to change the lower segments of the streets to one-way routes as part of the city’s waterfront improvements last year. Deputy Mayor Tim Burgess said late last year the mayor’s office is also considering expanding Seattle Police Department surveillance program pilot that combines Closed-Circuit Television Camera systems above the city’s streets with “real-time crime center” software to Pike/Pine.
There are also smaller efforts. Burgess also said Harrell’s office was “in talks” with neighborhood businesses about stringing simple catenary lights from a program the city started in downtown in an attempt to brighten darker areas around the Pike/Pine core.
Learn more about the proposed kiosk program at seattlekioskoutreach.com.
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Quelle/Source: Capitol Hill Seattle, 04.02.2025
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