Issues - Supporting Seattle’s Nighttime Economy

One of Seattle’s greatest advantages is its strong economic diversity. From technology to tourism, aerospace to retail, healthcare to biotech to manufacturing and beyond, the breadth of thriving industries in Seattle is an important part of what makes Seattle a great city.

One area that is often overlooked when government officials talk about the contribution that different industries make to the economic vitality of our city is music and the arts. Seattle’s thriving music and arts scene–sometimes called the “nighttime economy”–is an important part of our cultural identity and a catalyst for creating neighborhoods that are exciting and vibrant. It is one of the strongest reasons why we are able to attract such a talented and creative workforce to our city. And, it is an essential component of the engine of local economic growth and our ability to continue to provide good jobs for our citizens.

A recent economic impact study shows just how important the city’s music industry is as a source of jobs and economic activity. The study found that last year, the music industry directly created more than 11,000 jobs, with more than 2,000 Seattle businesses generating $1.2 billion in revenue. The city estimates that total indirect contribution by the music industry to Seattle’s economy is 22,000 jobs and $2.6 billion in total revenue.

Much of this revenue comes from people who live outside the city and who come here to take advantage of the rich opportunities Seattle offers to enjoy music, theater, dance, and the arts, and who spend money not just on performances but also at restaurants, shops, for services, and more.

Unfortunately, Seattle city leaders are doing far too little to support our nighttime economy. I believe Seattle should do more to encourage this important part of our city’s cultural and economic identity to thrive.

Here are just a few of the steps I think we should take to create an environment where the Seattle’s nighttime economy can flourish:

  • Improve our public safety and transportation infrastructure to meet the needs of the nighttime economy. Adding more police support on foot and bicycle during the evening and at night is great for nighttime businesses and for the neighborhoods where they operate. Providing more cabs, increased bus service, and private-public shuttles can provide people with an alternative to driving.

  • Continue support for city investments in music that are working, including the Vera Project, which receives funding from the city, and the Office of Film and Music, which is part of the mayor’s office. We should also move forward with the work of the Seattle Music Commission, which was created a year ago by the mayor to make Seattle a city of “musicians, live music, and music businesses . . . a city of live music.”

  • Explore opportunities to adjust land use policies and incentives to encourage the growth of music businesses and reduce unfair burdens.

  • Strengthen city support for changes to State Liquor Control Board regulations that restrict music businesses, including extending hours and changing lighting requirements.

  • Relax rules that restrict music and arts events in city parks and look into adding more stages in city parks where appropriate.

  • Expand the focus of Seattle’s community centers to include a greater emphasis on encouraging music and culture in Seattle.

    • I also support many of the recommendations of the city’s Cultural Overlay District Advisory Committee. The committee looked at efforts in other cities to use smart economic incentives to create urban cultural development zones that provide affordable space for designated arts and cultural uses. Their recommendation to apply existing city policies, regulatory tools, and financial incentives to create dynamic neighborhoods where the arts can thrive is a great way to strengthen the cultural fabric of the city and encourage long-term economic development.