Civic – Page 2 of 53

GM and Inrix work with City of Redmond to analyze road safety data from onboard systems

by Bryan Corliss on July 22, 2023July 25, 2023 at 11:29 am

City officials in Redmond, Wash., believe participating in a project with General Motors and Kirkland-based Inrix will help them target future spending on traffic safety projects. Redmond is one of… Read More

News Brief

Microsoft, Amazon, other tech companies make commitment with White House for responsible AI

by Taylor Soper on July 21, 2023July 21, 2023 at 7:50 am

A group of seven tech companies made a series of voluntary commitments with the White House to develop AI responsibly and manage the risks posed by the burgeoning technology.

Zillow releases tool to make rental costs more transparent, as White House targets ‘junk fees’

by Nate Bek on July 19, 2023July 19, 2023 at 2:08 pm

Housing platforms including Zillow now display “junk fees” on rental listings to provide renters with a more accurate picture of what they can expect to pay, as the White House… Read More

Video

Bellevue teams with electric transportation startup Circuit for free shuttle service

by Kurt Schlosser on July 19, 2023July 19, 2023 at 9:13 am

Circuit, an on-demand electric shuttle service, is coming to Bellevue, Wash., to provide free rides to people looking to move around the city’s downtown core. In partnership with Visit Bellevue… Read More

McKinsey report details how hybrid work is ‘here to stay’ and the ripple effects on real estate

by Nate Bek on July 18, 2023July 18, 2023 at 1:41 pm

A new report by consulting firm McKinsey & Co. highlights “substantial” challenges for cities and commercial real estate players due to the long-term impacts from hybrid work. The researchers studied… Read More

AI envisioned the future of downtown Seattle. Here’s where it fell short.

by Chuck Wolfe on July 18, 2023July 18, 2023 at 8:03 am

Can AI help the transform the future of downtown Seattle? In a recent update to its “Downtown Activation Plan” aimed at rejuvenating the city’s core, Seattle leaders released images created… Read More

Meet the new leader of Sea.citi, a nonprofit that aims to engage Seattle tech workers with civic life

by Taylor Soper on July 15, 2023July 14, 2023 at 10:29 am

Terrance Stevenson is bringing his passion for peace-building, community development, and innovation to the Seattle tech industry. Stevenson this week was named director of Sea.citi, a nonprofit that launched in… Read More

News Brief

Downtown Seattle worker traffic slowly increasing, but still lags behind most U.S. cities

by Taylor Soper on July 14, 2023July 14, 2023 at 1:46 pm

The Downtown Seattle Association released new monthly figures for worker traffic, with the percentage of returning workers (compared to 2019 levels) climbing 4% month-over-month in June, from 50% to 54%.

Tech CEOs and professors on how the Supreme Court affirmative action ruling could impact hiring

by Taylor Soper on July 13, 2023July 13, 2023 at 10:43 am

Last month’s Supreme Court ruling striking down affirmative action in college admissions may have ripple effects beyond education and into the corporate workplace. “At a minimum, it is going to… Read More

Seattle mayor expands tech tool built with Google to streamline benefit program application process

by Kurt Schlosser on July 12, 2023July 12, 2023 at 4:34 pm

Mayor Bruce Harrell announced the expansion Wednesday of CiviForm, a technology platform that helps residents apply to City of Seattle benefit and discount programs with greater ease. The move was… Read More

News Brief

Seattle lands $393K in federal funds to help residents get high-speed internet

by Taylor Soper on July 12, 2023July 12, 2023 at 1:59 pm

The City of Seattle received $393,200 as part of a federal grant program to help lower-income residents get free or heavily discounted internet access.

Podcast

What generative AI means for cities: Municipal tech leaders face unique workplace and policy issues

by Todd Bishop on July 8, 2023July 4, 2023 at 11:31 am

If the use of generative AI in the workplace didn’t seem complicated enough already, just consider what it means for big cities and other governmental agencies. The implications of common… Read More

City of Seattle awards $545k in grants to 18 nonprofits working to expand digital literacy

by Kurt Schlosser on June 28, 2023June 28, 2023 at 4:21 pm

The City of Seattle is awarding $545,000 in Technology Matching Fund grants to help support 18 nonprofit organizations and their projects to expand digital literacy and close the technology gap.… Read More

Seattle mayor unveils goals and timelines for plan to build a ‘downtown of the future’

by Kurt Schlosser on June 28, 2023June 28, 2023 at 2:35 pm

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell officially rolled out his “Downtown Activation Plan” on Wednesday, providing more details on a series of initiatives aimed at helping the city’s urban core bounce back… Read More

Video

From vacant storefronts to vibrant hubs: Revisiting ‘third places’ for urban resilience

by Chuck Wolfe on June 21, 2023June 21, 2023 at 2:20 pm

In Seattle, city government and the Downtown Seattle Association continue to build on the “Amazon Great Return” through a variety of strategies to reactivate downtown. While attempts to maintain safety and… Read More

Seattle seeking artist to create design elements for electric vehicle charging stations across city

by Kurt Schlosser on June 14, 2023June 14, 2023 at 9:52 am

The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) and Seattle City Light are looking for an artist to help add a creative look to electric vehicle charging parking lots and… Read More

Video

Seattle councilmember targets ‘top 1%’ with capital gains tax proposal mimicking new state law

by Taylor Soper on June 8, 2023June 8, 2023 at 7:13 am

Washington state’s controversial capital gains tax went into effect earlier this year. Now a similar tax could come to Seattle if one lawmaker gets his way. Seattle councilmember Alex Pedersen… Read More

Seattle mayor reveals top ideas in potential plan to convert some downtown office space to housing

by Kurt Schlosser on June 7, 2023June 7, 2023 at 1:30 pm

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell’s desire to potentially convert some of the city’s downtown office space into housing and other commercial uses moved a step forward with the selection of three… Read More

Downtown Seattle activity hits new high since pandemic, buoyed by Amazon office mandate

by Taylor Soper on June 6, 2023June 6, 2023 at 4:11 pm

Foot traffic in downtown Seattle and around Amazon’s headquarters hit record highs in May, as measured since March 2020 when the pandemic began. Amazon’s back-to-office mandate that kicked in May… Read More

Seattle Metro Chamber survey shows high adoption of hybrid work and most popular days in office

by Kurt Schlosser on May 30, 2023May 30, 2023 at 5:51 pm

A survey by the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce found that a hybrid work model is the most popular option among employers in downtown Seattle, and most companies are seeing… Read More

Car and foot traffic data show impact of Amazon’s return to office mandate on Seattle commutes

by Taylor Soper on May 24, 2023May 24, 2023 at 4:33 pm

Amazon workers are back. And so is the traffic. Data from transportation analytics provider Inrix shows average commute speeds dropping by as much as 35% on routes in and out… Read More

It’s not just about bringing workers back to the office: 10 indicators of a downtown resurgence

by Chuck Wolfe on May 22, 2023May 22, 2023 at 12:56 pm

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about significant transformations to cities worldwide. The road to recovery is complex and not always predictable. Some cities such as Salt Lake City or Bakersfield, Calif.,… Read More

Google to pay nearly $40M to Washington state after lawsuit over location tracking

by Kurt Schlosser on May 18, 2023May 18, 2023 at 9:00 am

Google will pay Washington state $39.9 million after a lawsuit brought by Attorney General Bob Ferguson accused the tech giant of deceptive practices in its location tracking. Ferguson’s office announced… Read More

New Washington state law is first in nation to give Uber and Lyft drivers paid family and medical leave

by Kurt Schlosser on May 17, 2023May 17, 2023 at 9:04 am

Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill this week that makes Washington state the first in the nation to ensure that Uber and Lyft rideshare drivers receive paid family and medical… Read More

Police near Seattle issue warning about AI phone scammers impersonating family members

by Nate Bek on May 15, 2023May 15, 2023 at 10:14 am

Law enforcement agencies are raising concerns about voice-cloning AI tools, warning consumers that scam callers are using the tech to mimic loved ones’ voices in elaborate phone call frauds. New… Read More

Gov. Inslee makes his climate pitch in bid to attract business from Nordic countries

by Lisa Stiffler on May 12, 2023May 12, 2023 at 9:54 am

Gov. Jay Inslee made his sales pitch Thursday for Washington as the state for Nordic enterprises to do business in the climate tech and clean energy economy. “This is what… Read More

‘Huge news for downtown’: Cinerama reopening in Seattle follows Amazon’s office return

by Taylor Soper on May 11, 2023May 12, 2023 at 10:58 am

Seattle civic leaders described the return of beloved movie theater Cinerama as another boost to downtown revitalization efforts. Nonprofit film organization SIFF announced Thursday that it acquired the Cinerama from the estate… Read More

Meet the ‘pragmatic progressive’ balancing tech and business interests with social issues

by Lisa Stiffler on May 8, 2023May 11, 2023 at 12:24 pm

Washington state Rep. Amy Walen went to the state’s capitol planning to work on gun violence and affordable housing. But when she arrived in Olympia, Walen discovered an additional important… Read More

Analysis: Amazon’s ‘Great Return’ to the office is just one aspect of a downtown Seattle comeback

by Chuck Wolfe on May 1, 2023May 23, 2023 at 10:17 am

One major harbinger of a post-pandemic swing to normal in downtown Seattle is Amazon’s much-heralded return to the office this week, which I like to call the “Amazon Great Return.” … Read More

Only 56% of Seattle voters are optimistic about city’s future – but opinions are improving

by Lisa Stiffler on April 25, 2023April 25, 2023 at 12:50 pm

A new survey of Seattle voters shows that public opinion about the city is slightly improving. The bad news for city leaders is that most people don’t have faith in… Read More