Today the City Council approved 7-2 an amended resolution that paves the way for permitting the siting of digital kiosks in neighborhood business districts around the city, in partnership with the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA). Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9) has been the prime sponsor of the kiosk rollout which will provide an interactive public information source for residents and visitors.
“This is an exciting milestone! These interactive kiosks will be a tremendous asset for Seattle, providing essential wayfinding and transit information while supporting our local businesses and generating resources for community programs,” said Council President Nelson. “The kiosks also offer multiple public benefits by enhancing safety, activating public spaces, and creating better experiences for residents, workers, and visitors throughout our neighborhood business districts.”
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.
The kiosks would not be allowed in shoreline districts, Historic Districts, Special Review Districts, Preservation Districts, the Seattle Center Overlay District, and Parks boulevards.
What’s next
The Council is expected to consider and possibly vote on a detailed permit ordinance later this month.
Additional quotes
“We are excited to hear that the Seattle City Council approved the addition of IKE interactive kiosks in Seattle, including neighborhood business districts like Ballard. Already active in other major metro areas across the U.S., IKE kiosks 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
“The West Seattle Junction Association is thrilled the Council has approved having IKE Kiosks in Seattle. We welcome this new mode for us to speak directly to our community members about our many events as well as giving them a fun way to discover new local businesses. The welcomed revenue will go to increasing coverage of our clean and safe program.”
– Chris Mackay, Executive Director, The Junction Association
“Passing this resolution gets us one big step closer to installing IKE digital kiosks downtown. We appreciate the efforts of Mayor Harrell’s office and Council President Nelson in moving this forward. These kiosks will be a tremendous public asset – both in providing direct wayfinding, public safety functions and local business support and also in the resources generated to help us create a healthy and vibrant downtown for all.”
– DSA President & CEO Jon Scholes
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