From bus schedules to emergency alerts – will offer visitors, residents a variety of on-demand information 

Today, the City Council approved by a 6-2 vote an ordinance granting the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) permission to install and operate interactive media kiosks in neighborhood business districts around Seattle. CB 120992 is sponsored by Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9), Chair of the Governance, Accountability & Economic Development committee. 

“This is a win for Seattle — these kiosks represent a near-term opportunity to enhance the pedestrian experience, improve public safety communications, and support downtown’s economic and cultural revitalization — in addition to multiple public benefits including free WiFi and multilingual wayfinding,” said Council President Nelson. “With the FIFA World Cup approaching in 2026, swift implementation will help ensure that visitors and residents alike can easily navigate and enjoy Seattle’s urban neighborhoods and small businesses. I’m proud of the coalition of partners including the Mayor’s Office, Downtown Seattle Association, IKE and our business community who were able to get this project across the finish line. I can’t wait to see them in use throughout the city.” 

Background  

The DSA has engaged IKE Smart City, a vendor of interactive media kiosks, to install 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 in the MID and 20 additional kiosks installed among 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 

CB 120992 will now go to the Mayor’s office for signature. Pending that approval, Phase 1 (30 kiosks) is intended to be installed prior to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. As proposed, Phase 2 deployment would be at the discretion of the Mayor’s Office and the participating BIAs. 
 

Additional quotes

“With these tools, residents and visitors will be able to better navigate our city, discover hidden gems, and stay up-to-date on events throughout the city—building a more connected, welcoming Seattle every single day. I want to thank Council President Nelson and the Council for their work on this effort. I’m also grateful to our teams at the Office of Economic Development and Seattle Department of Transportation whose work helped shape this idea, and to the Downtown Seattle Association for committing to keep these smart, interactive kiosks vibrant and well-maintained.” 
– Mayor Bruce Harrell 

“We appreciate Council President Nelson’s leadership and support in moving this legislation across the finish line. These kiosks are a smart, zero-cost solution that benefits everyone who visits, works or lives downtown.  IKE digital kiosks will be a tremendous public asset with a lot of public benefit. They’ll provide direct wayfinding, real-time transit information, public safety functions and local business support, and any revenue generated fuels services and programs that help us create a healthy and vibrant downtown for all.”  
– DSA President & CEO Jon Scholes 

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