The Issue

people walking in the rainbow crosswalk on E Pike on a sunny day

Pike Street is for people – but it isn’t designed for us

Capitol Hill has been designated a Low Pollution Neighborhood. That creates an opportunity to tell SDOT what we want. Destination Pike hopes to amplify our neighborhood’s desire for Pike to be the most vibrant walkable destination in Seattle. Make sure to get involved!

Join Destination Pike this Sunday from 1-4 going to SDOT’s Low Pollution Neighborhood Open House. Details and RSVP on Eventbrite or Partiful.

The Need

Thousands flock from near and far to enjoy the core of Capitol Hill along Pike street. The streets are hostile for everybody and are struggling to support the people already using them and preventing us from drawing more into the neighborhood.

The sidewalks are full of trash, bikes, and lines
Crossing the street is dangerous and scary
Vehicles in every direction, yet nowhere to stop and make critical deliveries

No matter how you get here, you’re going to experience our inadequate, narrow, and overcrowded sidewalks. We need far better space for people and we need places to stop without blocking the path.

What we could have

The core of Capitol Hill, centered around Pike should be the most vibrant and walkable destination in Seattle.

We need better sidewalks and public space improvements for Pike and the intersecting streets, along with fun activations that delight people of all ages. With wider sidewalks we could separate the scooters and trash from the walking area. We could add more comfortable outdoor seating, and we could add some stages ready for a popup event or an outdoor show.

While we’re changing things we need to make sure delivery, loading, accessible parking, driveway access, and even uber eats pickups are all improved. These vital vehicle movements are currently difficult.

These streets are being asked to do everything

  • Car access
  • Parking
  • Loading/Pickup/Delivery
  • Public space
  • Business space
  • Garbage collection
  • Neighborhood identity
  • Business access

How should we balance these needs? See what we think the solution could include

All of these picnickers could be enjoying Pike if we made it a destination

Want to make Pike a destination?

📝Share your ideas
☁️How should we use the space?

We’ve made changes elsewhere successfully

In Kirkland, Park Lane has been made one way with street lighting, parking, and bollards to make it a safe and welcoming place to eat, walk and enjoy
Pike Place market has become a shared street with fewer cars allowed for most of the day
At First and Pike, half the block has been pedestrianized, making room for an outdoor seating area
In the University District, a block of 43rd Ave has turned into a busway, making space for outdoor dining
In Lake City, Little Brook Park has expanded into the street, adding a plaza with seating and space for basketball
In Ballard, the main street has been made one way, making room for more loading zones as well as parklets
In Bothell, one block of Main Street has been pedestrianized with bollards
In Bothell, their main street has abundant parking with these side roads which double as bike lanes
Bell Street Park in downtown has made space for activation and events

Other projects

  • Thomas Street Plaza
  • Barbara Bailey Way
  • Stevens Neighborhood (north-east part of Capitol Hill)

Seattle has grown a lot

It’s time to make Pike into a destination that draws people in to spend their time in the thriving heart of our neighborhood

“Magic happens when we create inviting, people-centered public spaces — a car-free Pioneer Square, Pike Place Market, our new Waterfront Park, Seattle Center — and give people reasons to gather and shop there. Let’s do more of this across neighborhoods citywide, including those that didn’t see the hoped-for boost from World Cup crowds.”
Mayor Katie Wilson in the Seattle Times

Help us make this happen