‘The heart of Seattle is open’: Video offers hopeful view of downtown after a year of pandemic pain

(YouTube screenshot via Downtown Seattle Association)

Washington State’s move on Monday into the third phase of its COVID-19 recovery plan is getting the Downtown Seattle Association on its toes. The group released a new video announcing that “the heart of Seattle is open and beating strong”.

The doors – and the roof of T-Mobile Park – fly open throughout the video as businesses are captured from Pike Place Market to Pioneer Square and everywhere in between awaiting customers to return.

Set on a dramatic score by violinist Tyler Kwak, the video offers enticing glimpses of the food and drink that is being served. The museums are open and the monorail is racing past MoPOP. A fish is ready to fly in the market and shoppers are seen entering Nordstrom.

Jon Scholes, President and CEO of DSA, can be seen at the end of the video on the Space Needle observation deck. Against the backdrop of the Seattle skyline, Scholes beckons people to join him in the city.

Sentiment is very optimistic as COVID-19 vaccines continue to be given, big tech companies discuss their office reoccupation plans and spring brings some hope after a year of pandemic battles.

The video looks very different from what DSA produced last April. It reads: “The heart of our city is calm.” This video, viewed nearly 500,000 times on YouTube, captured connected businesses and empty streets as Seattleites stayed home to help contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Meanwhile, downtown Seattle has suffered as offices emptied in favor of remote working and tourism and events stalled.

According to DSA, its own tracking has logged the closure of 265 permanent street-level business locations in Seattle since early 2020, including 183 in downtown. This was offset by a few new stores that were still opening or announcing intent to open during the pandemic, including 113 in the city center.

There are more than 300,000 jobs and more than 80,000 residents in downtown Seattle, according to the DSA. In its February 2021 Downtown State Economic Report, DSA said downtown lost 45,000 jobs in the second quarter of 2020 and ended the year with around 20,000 fewer jobs compared to the first quarter.

Phase 3 of Washington’s recovery includes new levels of indoor dining capacity, limited spectator spectators at sporting events, and more.