Waterfront Seattle | Includes the Piers, Pioneer Square + Pike/Pine 🌊

While this $728 million city project won’t be fully completed until 2024, a few key components like the Overlook Walk — an elevated public park with a scenic promenade — are scheduled for construction this spring. Others, like a transit-only lane on Alaskan Way + new Pioneer Square bus stops, are expected to debut even earlier in 2022.

Midtown Square | Central District 🏢

In a rapidly growing neighborhood, this major retail + residential complex is about to sprout. In addition to the 428 apartments for lease in 2022, popular Jamaican restaurant Jerk Shack and dive bar The Neighbor Lady will be moving in. Plus, it looks like the arts will be a big component, with colorful murals already up and nonprofit Arté Noir planning a creative space.

Harvest | Woodinville 🍷

Wine not take a trip to the Eastside? A 20-acre Woodinville “wine village” will begin construction in 2022, creating a mix of retail and residences in the Hollywood district. Visitors will find a four-star hotel + 4,200 sqft luxury spa, alongside a central gathering space called the Yard that promises to have restaurants, wine tasting rooms, a distillery, a brewery, boutique cheese and charcuterie shops, and outdoor seating with views of Mt. Rainier. Opening date still TBD.

Washington State Convention Center Addition | Downtown 🏗️

After securing the last bit of financing in 2021, the highly anticipated $1.9 billion addition (known as the Summit) is headed toward a 2022 opening. When finished, the expansion will more than double the convention center's capacity with 570,000 sqft of usable space. It will include 62 new meeting rooms, ballrooms + views of Pike Place Market.

Psst… This list isn’t meant to be comprehensive. If there is a construction project you’d like to share with us, send it our way. We love hearing about new developments + businesses.

THREE MORE BIG PROJECTS

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EVENTS

Monday

Cascade Symphony Orchestra: From the New World | Mon., Jan. 10 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Edmonds Center for the Arts | Mellow out with the orchestra’s takes on classics from Tchaikovsky and other master composers. 🎻
Bowl Turning with Carbide Tools | Mon., Jan. 10 | 2-5 p.m. | Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, 832 N.E. Northgate Way | $75 | Learn how to make your own wooden bowl using cutting + drilling tools.

Tuesday

Swannie's Pizza Pop-up | Tues., Jan. 11 | Fair Isle Brewing | 4-8 p.m. | Prices vary | There may be no more perfect food pairing for beer than pizza, particularly when it comes to Fair Isle's selections of saisons + farmhouse ales. 🍕
Scrambler Jam | Tues., Jan. 11 | Cafe Racer | 8 p.m. | Free | The stage is open at Cafe Racer's new Capitol Hill digs for local musicians to jam together + do their thing. 🎸

Wednesday

Seattle University Redhawks vs. Utah Valley Wolverines | Wed., Jan. 12 | 7 p.m. | Climate Pledge Arena | $14+ | Seattle U’s men’s basketball team hosts the Wolverines at home for a key matchup in a big venue.

Thursday

Avi Avital | Thurs., Jan. 13 | 7:30 p.m. | Benaroya Hall | $24+ | Those who love the sound of a mandolin may want to check out this talented performer as he plays gondolier songs + Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons.”
Art History Lectures from the Frye Museum: Beatrix Potter | Thurs., Jan. 13 | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Online | $5+ | Learn more about the English writer + illustrator, known for her “Peter Rabbit” tales. 📚

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

60+ MORE JANUARY EVENTS

Note: COVID-19 protocols are changing rapidly to curb the spread of the Omicron variant in Seattle. Please make sure to check event listing pages + venue websites for the most up-to-date information.

NEWS NOTES

Weather

43º | Showers | 90% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 7:55 a.m.
Set: 4:39 p.m.

Travel

Heads up Sea-Tac travelers. Due to staffing shortages during the current Omicron surge, Alaska Airlines has reduced its flight schedule by about 10 percent for the rest of January. The company said that canceling flights will give it “the flexibility and capacity needed to reset.” ✈️ (Q13)
After several days of closure because of heavy snowfall, Snoqualmie and Blewett passes reopened yesterday. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) prioritized freight traffic and advised non-commercial vehicles to delay travel, if possible. Stevens and White passes remain closed. (WSDOT Blog)

Trending

Home sales in King County dropped 41% from November to December. While seasonal slowdowns are typical, real estate agents point to severe weather and Omicron concerns as other factors for a recent price decline. 🏡 (Seattle Times)

Biz

Moving on up to the Eastside. According to a recent permit filing, Amazon has leased more office space in Redmond, continuing its area expansion. The company already has a large office in Redmond Town Center, but has also announced plans in 2021 to add 800 more locally-based positions. (GeekWire)

Eat

Fans of White Center’s popular Hawaiian breakfast spot Patrick’s Cafe & Bakery were a little concerned this week. The business announced that it would be “closing,” leading some to think that meant permanently. However, the restaurant owners told SEAtoday that Patrick’s will open back up no later than mid-February.

Community

Okay, party planners — it’s your time to shine. On Mon., Jan. 24, local officials and community members in West Seattle will meet online to discuss how to celebrate the reopening of the West Seattle Bridge later this summer. We think cake is always a good choice, FWIW. 🍰 (Westside Seattle)

Sports

It’s been a tough season for the Seahawks, but they ended on a high note. Seattle beat the Arizona Cardinals on the road yesterday, 38-30. This year was the first time the team has missed the playoffs since 2017 + many questions remain for the offseason. (ESPN)
It sounds like the Sounders are about to shift their practice facilities to Renton. After 13 years working out of Starfire Sports complex in Tukwila, the team is reportedly prepping to put down roots at Renton’s former Longacres Racetrack, a property that’s three times bigger. ⚽ (Sounders at Heart)

Announced

Get your towels ready — it’s about to go down. The Seattle Boat Show will sail into town on Fri., Feb 4 for a week of exhibitions as it celebrates its 75th anniversary. This year, the festivities at Lumen Field Event Center and Bell Harbor Marina will include a classic yacht display + a putt-putt golf course. 🛥️

DYK

Did you know 2022 marks a special canine birthday? It’s now been a full century since the University of Washington’s first official mascot, Husky 1, was assigned the prestigious role. Soon after he became top dawg, UW fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon adopted him.

Job

Love brand storytelling? Want to create paid content that’s actually worth reading? 6AM City is now hiring a West Coast-based Branded Content Editor. This remote role will generate creative campaign strategies and write content for clients across all soon-to-be 24 markets. See details + apply.

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📸 @sbird10

You asked, she answered. After months of retirement speculation, Seattle Storm icon Sue Bird announced in the coolest way on Instagram Friday that she would return to the WNBA in 2022. The first slide in her announcement post features a clip of fans chanting “One more year,” (linked above) to which Sue replies simply “Ok."

WNBA free agents like Bird aren't allowed to officially sign new contracts until Feb. 1, so technically the local legend isn’t back with Seattle yet — but it looks like it’s just a matter of time.

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