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The problem with DTLA is it is so spotty in its revitalization. There are some areas where I'd be comfortable saying it ranks just below Philadelphia or Seattle, and then other places where it appears to be completely dead.
It also depends on what time it is. When I have been during the day it was just as busy as what I experienced in Boston.
In the evening the discrepancy I mentioned above becomes more apparent. South Park / Spring Street Corridor / Little Tokyo / 7th and Fig all seemed lively to me, but going through the areas between these places can be pretty quiet. Grand / Olive / Hill / Main around 8th St. were all pretty dead the last time I was there on a week night (after 11 PM on a Tuesday) but then getting to Broadway there was a lot more activity, particularly around the new Umamicatessan (sp?) building.
The problem with DTLA is it is so spotty in its revitalization. There are some areas where I'd be comfortable saying it ranks just below Philadelphia or Seattle, and then other places where it appears to be completely dead.
It also depends on what time it is. When I have been during the day it was just as busy as what I experienced in Boston.
Isn't every city like this? I've never experienced any city that was consistently vibrant throughout downtown...there are some areas that are busy at certain times of the day and some areas that are busy at other times - and there are some areas that aren't busy at all. Boston was like that and NYC too...
Isn't every city like this? I've never experienced any city that was consistently vibrant throughout downtown...there are some areas that are busy at certain times of the day and some areas that are busy at other times - and there are some areas that aren't busy at all. Boston was like that and NYC too...
True Downtown Crossing is pretty dead at night, as was the Financial District (worked in a coffee shop there, closed at 5 and on the weekends because there was no point in being open then).
With regards to Seattle, weather matters a ton for foot traffic - more than anywhere else I've seen. On a warm summer day, foot traffic is awesome not just throughout downtown but most adjacent neighborhoods as well. On a very cold, rainy winter day foot traffic is pretty lackluster outside of a few central areas. Usually, it falls somewhere in the middle
In general, people are exaggerating about Downtown Seattle in both directions. No, it is not up there with NYC, SF, Chicago, Philly, or Boston. Yes, it is far more than just "a few blocks" of heavy foot traffic. Westlake Center and the area around Pike Place do have the most foot traffic, but Belltown, Pioneer Square, the Waterfront, West Edge, and South Lake Union - as well as the areas in between - all have a good amount of foot traffic too. South Lake Union has changed a ton even in the last year. The interesection of Denny and Westlake (which was a ghost town 4 years ago, as evidenced by Google maps) is now busy with pedestrians during much of the day. There is also a lot of infill development happening in downtown and it is on its way to becoming much more cohesive and vibrant throughout. Nearby neighborhoods like Capitol Hill and Queen Anne have very solid night time foot traffic.
So, in summary, Seattle is not a top tier downtown in terms of foot traffic. But, while a dropoff still exists given how packed the central areas are, other parts of downtown are becoming increasingly bustling and it is the busiest of the second tier downtowns (Minneapolis, Denver, Pittsburgh, etc.), no doubt.
It really is and it's the 4th largest city in the U.S.
Not sure if you were responding to me, but Denver is far from the 4th largest city in the nation, which is why I think the foot traffic is impressive for its size.
I agree - DT Seattle foot traffic is great but it is clearly below NYC, Chicago, SF, Philly, and Boston, and slightly below DC.
However, of the tier below these cities, I'd say Seattle is head and shoulders above the others (Minneapolis, Denver, Portland, Baltimore, etc.)
I agree. The thing that strikes me with Seattle is that you see the same pictures of the same walk near where some of the designer stores are like Nordstrom and J-Crew. Every picture I see of Seattle where it is bustling is in that same area. This is why I don't think it compares to Philly or Boston or on the same level. San Fran and NYC aren't even in the same conversation. If you start telling me Seattle is like San Fran and Manhattan then I vote we give drug screens to C-der's...Kidding! I hope! Sometimes I wonder about me. lol
SF
Boston
NYC
Philadelphia
Washington
Miami (hit or miss, seems to be very dense, they have a density of 12,000 there)
Seattle
Chicago
Now for cities i think are pretty high up
Atlanta
Cleveland
Portland
San Diego
LA (has to be equivalent to these cities)
Dallas Texas( yes i said dallas)
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