The Why and How of Locating a School in Downtown Seattle

A Seattle writer makes the case for a new school to be located in Downtown Seattle.

1 minute read

May 21, 2016, 9:00 AM PDT

Nicola / Flickr

Amidst an ongoing boom, downtown Seattle is still missing one key component to a vibrant and sustainable urban revitalization, according to an article by Doug Trumm: a school.

After detailing the growth of Seattle's population, as well as growing school enrollment, Trumm states his argument: "Seattle certainly should seek to strengthen its schools to retain and attract more residents seeking to raise families."

Among the factors working against the Seattle Public Schools adding a school downtown: the perception that downtown residents don't want or have children and the price of downtown real estate. Along those latter lines, Trumm notes the example of the former Federal Reserve Bank in Seattle, which Seattle Public Schools had in its sights but didn't have the funds to acquire (SPS had budgeted $6 million for the land; the property eventually sold for $16 million).

FULL STORY: The Time Is Ripe To Build A School In Downtown Seattle

Wednesday, May 18, 2016 in The Urbanist

Community / Economic Development Urban Development Washington Seattle Schools downtown revitalization Population Growth View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.