Today, City Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9), Chair of the Governance, Accountability & Economic Development (GAED) Committee, will hear a briefing on a resolution to permit the siting of digital kiosks in neighborhood business districts around the city, in partnership with the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA). The interactive kiosks will provide a variety of information for residents and tourists alike, such as local businesses, bus schedules, entertainment events, local art, city services, information during an emergency and more.
“I’ve been a strong supporter of these interactive kiosks since taking office and it’s thrilling to see them on the cusp of fruition,” exclaimed Council President Nelson. “They’ll provide public benefits like multilingual wayfinding, free Wi-Fi, and emergency public service announcements to all who work, live, and visit our neighborhood business districts across the city; elevate the arts and local small businesses that make our city so vibrant; and generate revenue for our Business Improvement Areas that provide essential services like trash clean up, streetscape improvements, and additional security that benefit the whole community. This is what activation looks like and it’s been a long time coming!”
“Enhancing our built environment is at the center of building a great downtown,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell. “The Downtown Seattle Association has been a strong partner in creating a safer, cleaner, and more vibrant city center, and this proposal to install new digital wayfinding kiosks will further enhance the experience for both residents and visitors. With smart infrastructure that supports navigation, public safety, and promotion of local businesses and events, we’re not just preparing for global moments like the 2026 World Cup – we’re building a more connected and welcoming Seattle for every person, every day.”
Background
The DSA has engaged IKE Smart City, a vendor of interactive media kiosks. The 8-foot, freestanding kiosks have digital displays on both sides that allow for information and/or advertising. This proposal would allow for up to 80 kiosks within Seattle’s Metropolitan Improvement District (MID) in two separate phases. Phase 1 would allow 30 kiosks to be installed prior to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Phase 2 would allow 30 more kiosks deployed in the MID and 20 additional kiosks installed among the Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) in Ballard, U District, SODO and West Seattle Junction.
Kiosks would not be allowed in shoreline districts, Historic Districts, Special Review Districts, Preservation Districts, the Seattle Center Overlay District, and Parks boulevards.
What the legislation does
The resolution would grant conceptual approval to the DSA to install and operate digital kiosks in the public right-of-way. This legislation is the first step in a term permit approval process by the Council.
What’s next
The Governance, Accountability & Economic Development (GAED) Committee takes up the resolution at its meeting today, Thursday, May 8, at 2 p.m. and at its May 22 committee meeting.
Additional quotes
“It’s exciting to see this vision come to life! These digital kiosks make it easier and safer for everyone to explore and enjoy our city. This is just one way we’re building a Downtown that works for residents, visitors, and tourists alike. These kiosks aren’t just about helping people find their way, they highlight all the amazing art, events, and opportunities that make Downtown so dynamic and special.”
-Markham McIntyre, Director of the Seattle Office of Economic Development
“IKE wayfinding kiosks are going to help people navigate their way around a downtown that’s constantly evolving and adding new things to experience. Our partners at City Hall and the Mayor’s office understand that downtown runs on people and that’s why this interactive and adaptable technology was included in the mayor’s Downtown Activation Plan. The ability to upgrade and update the kiosks will keep these pieces of infrastructure relevant and useful for everyone who works, visits or lives in downtown.”
– Jon Scholes, Downtown Seattle Association President & CEO
“Interactive media kiosks offer a smart, no-cost solution to delivering real-time wayfinding, transit information, and access to social services—while also generating revenue opportunities for our district. This innovative tool connects people to the incredible local businesses and cultural gems in SODO that often go unseen, boosting visibility and enhancing the overall experience for visitors and our businesses.”
-Erin Goodman, Executive Director, SODO BIA
“We are delighted to support the digital kiosk initiative. We know a third of visitors to Seattle spend less than a month planning their trip and one in ten visitors don’t have any plans aside from the destination and accommodations. In addition, international visitors often don’t have phone plans that encourage use of smart phones while they’re here, so anything we can do to reduce stress and confusion is helpful. The wayfinding resources available through the kiosks will help people to explore more and can serve to spread the tourism economic impact more broadly. We welcome the adoption of this smart and impactful program for Seattle.”
-Tammy Canavan, President & CEO, Visit Seattle
“IKE kiosks offer fun free and interactive wayfinding, a means for neighborhood organizations to communicate directly to community members about events, and they support our local clean and safe programs.”
-Christine Mackay, Executive Director, West Seattle Junction Association
“Interactive kiosks in neighborhood business districts like Ballard would be a game changer. I’ve had the opportunity to use IKE kiosks in other major U.S. cities and they provide an incredible experience for visitors and locals alike. Not only do they provide helpful functions such as transit information and wayfinding, interactive kiosks also activate public spaces and allow neighborhood business districts like the Ballard Alliance to promote events that support our local community and small businesses.”
-Mike Stewart, Executive Director, Ballard Alliance
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