12.18.2023

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Today’s Forecast

Time for a little metamorphosis?

Be the broker: Which vacant office spaces would you like to see become affordable housing?

There’s so much to sea in the Emerald City. | Photo via @viajes1941

Have you noticed some of the empty office space around town? As of October 2023, office vacancies in Seattle are at 21.8%, making our rate the third-highest in the West. Compare that number to the national office vacancy rate, which was 17.8% as of September 2023. One possible use for vacant offices? Affordable housing.

Recently, the White House released a new plan to convert commercial buildings into residential housing — affordable housing in particular. Resources will be made available from 20+ programs across multiple agencies, including the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

We’re talking below-market loans, grants, and tax credits... all available to help take advantage of preexisting buildings to make more affordable housing.

Projects currently underway

Over the summer, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced a design competition where he asked local design firms to envision how local business buildings might be transformed into apartments. Hybrid Architecture won with their plans to transform the Mutual Life building in Pioneer Square. While no real plans are moving ahead right now, the city plans to use the submissions as a way to inspire future plans.

Another study conducted by researchers at New York University and Columbia University found that, while an expensive endeavor, about 15% of downtown office spaces were suitable for conversion.

Which vacant spaces would you like to see converted?

Have you passed an empty office building that would be a sweet apartment? How about some empty warehouses near public transportation that would make for a quick commute?

Tell us which spaces you’d like to see remade into housing, and we may feature your picks in an upcoming newsletter.

Asked

What spaces would you like to see be turned into affordable housing?

Tell us

Events

Monday, Dec. 18

A Melanated Night Market | Monday, Dec. 18 | 5-9 p.m. | Communion Restaurant, 2350 E. Union St., Seattle | Free | Vibe out to sweet music while shopping and celebrating several local, Black-owned businesses.
Elevated Hors d’Oeuvres Cooking Class | Monday, Dec. 18-Friday, Jan. 5 | Times vary | Location provided after booking | $95 | Prep for your fancy holiday parties by learning how to make bites like lemon cocktail crackers, asparagus prosciutto rolls, and dessert toast.

Tuesday, Dec. 19

George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” | Tuesday, Dec. 19-Wednesday, Dec. 27 | Times vary | McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St., Seattle | $29-$213 | Enjoy a sensory-friendly version of the classic ballet that includes a guide for potentially overwhelming sound + light cues, designated quiet areas, and other modifications.
Astra Lumina: A Night Walk Amongst The Stars | Tuesday, Dec. 19-Sunday, Jan. 7 | 5:30-11 p.m. | Seattle Chinese Garden, 6000 16th Ave. SW, Seattle | $31-$41 | Get lost in the cosmos with this traveling light art installation that mixes celestial visual components with astral ambient music.

Wednesday, Dec. 20

Paint & Sip: Mushroom Cottage | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 6-8 p.m. | Friday Afternoon Tea, 4228 Stone Way N., Seattle | $50 | Have a delightfully whimsical evening sipping tea and painting a little cottage made for a gnome.
Tamas’ Table: Mulled Wine | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 6-7 p.m. | L’Atelier TR, 380 Winslow Way E., #Ste 102, Bainbridge Island | $35 | Learn how to make a juicy mulled wine to keep you warm through the winter (while snacking a bit, too).

Thursday, Dec. 21

Pioneer Square Ornament Scavenger Hunt | Thursday, Dec. 21, Thursday, Dec. 28 | 9 a.m. | Pioneer Square, Seattle | Free | Look out for hand-blown ornaments from Glass-house Studio at one of the businesses and galleries in the neighborhood — clues are posted each week on the Pioneer Square Instagram page.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Edu

The Seattle School Board has approved a plan to reduce its $105 million deficit in the 2024-25 school year. The plan recommends options like reducing central office staffing, changes to transportation, and leasing nonschool properties — no school closures were mentioned for this year. (Seattle Times)

Development

Construction on improvements to the Waterfront will expand to Pioneer Square on Tuesday, Jan. 2. Several neighborhood streets will see improvements like sidewalk widening, shorter street crossings for pedestrians, and the extension of a few one-way streets.

Closed

After opening less than a year ago, WNDR Museum’s Seattle location has closed effective immediately. No reason was given for the closure on the museum’s website. It opened in March 2023 with much fanfare for its highly Instagrammable interactive exhibits.

Eat

Oh my darling don’t cry — a Run The Jewels-themed dinner is coming to Elysian Brewing on Jan. 20. Organized by the same team as the 36 Courses: A Wu Tang Themed experience, this meal honoring the Brooklyn-based rap duo features five courses from chefs around the city. Tickets are on sale for the A Jewel Runner Supper.

Civic

A temporary shelter for unhoused Native people in Seattle is set to close in a few months. The 30+ residents of the Eagle Village will be moved to permanent housing and the city will turn the space into a parking lot. The Chief Seattle Club is on the search for a replacement to the Eagle Village. (Seattle Times)

Travel

Pee in peace. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has secured $500 million to improve the state’s rest stops. The upgrades will apply to all 47 rest areas and include changing tables in all restrooms + more space and stalls for families. (My Northwest)

Drink

Caffe Ladro is closing its downtown location at 108 Union Street, with its last day of service expected this weekend. A new restaurant called Musubi Kai, which specializes in Hawaiian musubi and poke bowls, will be taking its place in the 879-sqft space. (Puget Sound Business Journal)

Environment

Are you heron this? The local heron population at Commodore Park in Ballard is booming with more than 160 juveniles fledged. A volunteer with Heron Habitat Helpers said that there were 83 active nests recorded between Feb. 18 and Aug. 8 of this year. (My Ballard)

Eat

Sugary sweets dancing in our heads

Tell us your favorite holiday sweets from Seattle makers

A graphic that says "Local Holiday Treat" followed by the picture of a chocolate hazelnut piroshki

Wow, does this piroshki look tempting or what? | Photo via Piroshky Piroshky

A couple of weeks ago we asked you all to tell us about your favorite holiday treats so we could serve a virtual goodie box for you all this week.

We’d like to introduce you to Day One of our series.

You no doubt know the local puff pastry sensation Piroshky Piroshky for its flaky namesake treat. While we love us a good savory piroshki (like salmon or sausage) — those sugary ones are too wonderful to ignore.

Reader Miranda S. recommended the chocolate cream hazelnut piroshki that the shop always makes around this time of year. The filling is just the right amount of creamy sweetness without going overboard, while little bits of delightful hazelnuts gives it a seasonal panache.

Grab one at any of Piroshky Piroshky’s Seattle locations.

The Buy

The Buy 12.18.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

A great game you can break out with the family this holiday season. Learn the rules to “Ransom Notes” in under a minute and get ready for belly laughs.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Alina

From the editor

Those who go on frequent road trips understand the struggle of finding a decent bathroom to pull over at. Some of those gas stations are a bit iffy. It’s good to know that there may be more options soon.

In any case, if you’re planning on traveling for the holidays, we have some recs for making the most of your journey.

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