Seattle Eyes Revival Beyond Taxes After 30,000 Job Losses and 36% Downtown Vacancy
Updated
Updated · MyNorthwest · Jun 28
Seattle Eyes Revival Beyond Taxes After 30,000 Job Losses and 36% Downtown Vacancy
1 articles · Updated · MyNorthwest · Jun 28
Summary
Beto Yarce, Seattle’s new economic development director, said the city may need non-tax measures to revive the local economy instead of expanding the JumpStart payroll tax.
The shift comes as downtown Seattle still faces a 36% vacancy rate and has lost roughly 30,000 jobs since 2020, straining restaurants and small businesses that depended on office workers.
Yarce also framed Bellevue’s gains as part of a regional economy rather than a zero-sum rivalry, while arguing Seattle still needs to market its own strengths more effectively.
Local commentators called the tone change refreshing, reflecting broader pressure on city leaders to show they can spur recovery without leaning on another tax increase.