Pike Place Market Pedestrian Pilot to Scale Back for Winter Months in Seattle
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is proposing to scale back the pedestrian pilot program at Pike Place Market for the fall and winter months, specifically from October to March. Under the new proposal, 'soft closures' of Pike Place between Pike Street and Virginia Street would only be implemented from 11 am to 4 pm on Fridays through Sundays, with 'hard closures' for full barricades reserved for special events. On Mondays through Thursdays during this period, all vehicles would be permitted to use the corridor without restrictions, though new signage would instruct drivers to yield to pedestrians. This adjustment follows a successful summer pilot that saw increased business and visitor numbers, but also generated mixed feedback from merchants. The proposal, which will be presented to the Pike Place Market Historical Commission, aims to balance pedestrian safety and experience with the needs of businesses that rely on vehicular access, particularly local shoppers during the winter. 
