02.07.2024

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Today’s Forecast

🏗️ Rock the blocks

Why the Garfield Super Block project means thinking big

A grassy playfield sits in the middle of an urban area in the Central District, Seattle with residences and other fields around it.

The plan has centered community engagement for two decades. | Photo via the Garfield Super Block

Now’s a good time to get acquainted with the Garfield Super Block. We’re talking about the eight-block area in the Central District that includes parks, athletic venues, historic buildings, and a gathering space for the community.

Recently, Seattle Parks & Recreation held a public meeting to go over new designs for the unfinished portion of the Super Block. Among the highlights will be the city’s first-ever parkour park, a comfort station with concessions, and a major arts installation.

Once construction starts for the renovations in 2025, you may be hearing the term Super Block even more around town — let’s take a closer look at the big idea.

🚧 What makes a block so super?

A Super Block refers to an urban area larger than a regular city block that’s closed to cars and generally features interconnected social + recreational facilities — but its look can vary.

Many cities have taken inspiration from Barcelona’s version (called Superilles) that have transformed the city with vibrant plazas. Studies show how similar Super Blocks could work in Tokyo, Mexico City, and elsewhere.

A design layout shows the Garfield Super Block and where various art installations and plantings would go. — The new 60% Garfield Super Block design shows where art, plantings, and other amenities would go.
|
Photo via Garfield Super Block

Seattle has been pondering Super Blocks for years, though our layout is less grid-like than other global locales. Besides Garfield, Occidental Square has elements of the concept, as do certain Waterfront developments. The city’s Healthy Streets initiative from the start of the pandemic may have also paved the way for Super-ish projects.

🔮 Block to the future?

Years ago, Seattle City Council floated the idea of a Super Block along the Pike/Pine corridor in Capitol Hill. There’s also been talk about closing off Pike Place to car traffic, which could create something like a Super Block. Funding and buy-in from businesses have presented challenges, though.

At the moment, the Garfield area is Seattle’s most prominent active project to watch for Super Block-heads. Keep an eye on updates at the website to learn more or schedule a tour.

Asked

In which neighborhood would you like to see a Super Block next?

A. Capitol Hill
B. Ballard
C. Beacon Hill
D. West Seattle

Map it out

Events

Wednesday, Feb. 7

Garage Community Event: Teens and the Environment | Wednesday, Feb. 7 | 6-7:30 p.m. | The Garage: A Teen Cafe, 235 First Ave. SE, Issaquah | Free | The monthly panel series features lively discussions with young people leading the way.
Tamara Payne: The Life and Legacy of Malcolm X | Wednesday, Feb. 7 | 7:30 p.m. | Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle | $5-$25 | The daughter of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Les Payne shares from a comprehensive biography of Malcom X that her dad started and she completed.

Thursday, Feb. 8

Shop for your Boo | Thursday, Feb. 8 | 5-7 p.m. | Lululemon at Alderwood Mall, 3000 184th St. SW, Lynnwood | Free | Peruse the latest Lululemon collections with booze and non-alcoholic beverages — the first 50 guests will receive a free gift with a purchase.
HONK! Fest West Fundraiser Show | Thursday, Feb. 8 | 8-11 p.m. | Jules Maes Saloon , 5919 Airport Way S., Seattle | $10-$15 | Enjoy brassy marching band covers of funk, soul, pop, and indie rock classics while raising funds for the big musical summer bash.

Friday, Feb. 9

Madame Mars’ Mystic Society: Mardi Gras Spectacular | Friday, Feb. 9-Saturday, Feb. 10 | Times vary | Emerald City Trapeze Arts, 2702 Sixth Ave. S., Seattle | $69-$109 | Celebrate the bead-flying season with this cabaret, trapeze, circus arts, drag, and dance act.
Valentine’s Concert | Friday, Feb. 9 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Highline Performing Arts Center, 401 South 152nd St., Burien | $15-$20 | Get into a romantic mood with a variety of classical works including “Fantasia on a Theme” by composer Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Saturday, Feb. 10

Lunar New Year Night Market | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 4-10 p.m. | Magnuson Park Hangar 30, 6310 NE 74th St., Seattle | $15-$25 | Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with 100+ local merchants, food trucks, live entertainment, and a boozy boba bar.
Family Magic Show | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 2:30-3:30 p.m. | Theater Puget Sound, 305 Harrison St., Seattle | Free | Hocus pocus — keep the kids entertained with a little sleight of hand and other slick tricks from Magician Raymond.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Sports

Adding to the WNBA free agent hoopla, the Seattle Storm signed eight-time All-Star and former league MVP Nneka Ogwumike. The power forward, who has played her entire career with the LA Sparks, joins recent signee Skylar Diggins-Smith on a reloaded Storm squad.

Community

Amazon is donating $250,000 to help keep the Chinatown-International District’s annual Night Market going for the next three years. Rising costs led to the cancellation of the 2023 Night Market, but the new funds will help bring it back starting this September.

Real Estate

The local housing market continues to pick up the pace. Pending home sales in King County increased by 38% from December to January and new listings more than doubled over that time frame. Year-over-year numbers for both categories were still lower, though. (Seattle Times)

Cause

Local nonprofit Mary’s Place named Dominique Alex as its permanent CEO. Alex had been in an interim role since last June after the organization’s longtime CEO Marty Hartman announced her departure. Mary’s Place runs five shelters, 700 beds, rental assistance, and outreach programs to families experiencing homelessness. (Puget Sound Business Journals)

Tech

Now hear this — UW researchers recently created a “smart earring” prototype capable of monitoring body temperature. The wearable tech device could be used to track ovulation, signs of stress, and eating habits. It can be customized with various styles. (GeekWire)

Trending

A report from the recent major industry event Seattle Bike Swap notes that prices are trending down for e-bikes and pedal-powered regular versions. You could get quality used non-electric pedal models at $350 versus price tags that had been ~$500 during the early days of the pandemic. (Seattle Bike Blog)

Civic

Bellevue has chosen a nonprofit to lead its safe parking initiative that sets aside city-owned property for people who live in vehicles. The Eastside youth- and Latino-focused organization 4 Tomorrow will lead the pilot program in 2024 with a plan to welcome folks to the lot this spring. (Seattle Times)

Outdoors

Magnolia Playfield may hit the grind and get a new skatepark. Early designs call for pouring concrete at the park to create features geared toward beginner and intermediate skaters. There will be meetings on Feb. 24 and March 23 at the Discovery Park Visitor Center to gather feedback. (My Ballard)

Finance

Get trusted financial advice with Money Pickle, the service that connects you directly with experienced financial advisors to help with your investment + retirement planning needs (all through a complimentary video meeting). Take control of your financial future in 2024 by scheduling a free consultation.*

Sports

🏈 Let’s go Bowl-ing

Where to party in Seattle for the Super Bowl

A sign on a wood-slatted bar storefront that says King Leroy (KL), SEA, WA in orange lettering

King Leroy is located across from the Amazon Spheres | Photo by SEAtoday staff

On Sunday Funday, the Kansas City Chiefs take on the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl.

Among the hyped commercials, Usher’s halftime show, and Taylor Swift discourse, Seahawks fans can channel their distaste for the rival Niners — or just have fun with locals.

Here’s where to kick things off:

King Leroy | The downtown gastropub offers $2 Jello-O shots + all-day happy hour.
Moss Bay Hall | Kirkland’s new Queen Anne Beer Hall sibling has smashboxes, big steins, and huge TVs.
Lariat Bar | Enjoy a free buffet with mac salad + wings — plus Bingo and halftime games.
Queer/Bar | If a drag brunch and bottomless mimosas are more your speed, “Super Bowl Sungay” is the place to be.
Supernova | Party with a 10-ft screen, beer pong, and bites from Smoke House BBQ.
Legion | Bellevue’s upscale sports bar from Seahawks legends Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman has bottle service + brunch.

Go Taylorrrrr... er, we mean Chiefs.

The Buy

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Gabe

From the editor

I kidded a bit about the Super Bowl rooting interest. Truth be told, if you’re a Niners fan, there are plenty of safe spaces you can go in the city to watch the game. And if you’re a KC fan, check out Stan’s B-B-Q in Issaquah, which stans the Chiefs — though it may be standing-room only.

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