DSA Access With Feliks Banel
A series focused on issues impacting downtown
State of Politics in Seattle
When:
Thursday, Nov. 13
4–6 p.m.
4:30–5:30 p.m. program with networking before and after
Where:
U.S. Bank Center
1420 Fifth Ave.
Level 2, The Arbor Room
Seattle, WA 98101
Cost:
$40 (includes drinks and appetizers)
The November general election is just a week away and its results will shape downtown’s future for years to come. There will be a new county executive for the first time since 2009. At the city level there are executive, legislative and city attorney positions on the ballot, and there’s a measure aimed at altering the B&O tax.
After the dust settles on this consequential election, our November DSA Access presented by DoorDash will provide members with post-election analysis. Join us for an expert panel to examine the results; what the outcomes say about voter priorities; what this election means for issues critical to downtown; prognostications for the months ahead for our elected leaders and much more.
Open to DSA members and MID ratepayers.
Presented by
Panelists
Ben Anderstone
Partner, Progressive Strategies NW
Born and raised in Tacoma, Wash., Ben cut his teeth on local politics at a young age. During college, he worked on a range of local campaigns, from state legislature to domestic partnerships. He graduated from the University of Puget Sound with a degree in Politics & Government and joined the PSNW team in March 2014. Ben is also a regular contributor of political analysis to television and print media outlets across the Puget Sound.
Sandeep Kaushik
Partner, Sound View Strategies
Sandeep has a deep history in political and public affairs consulting work in Seattle, with two decades of extensive public relations, political communications and strategic advisory work for elected officials and civic leaders, governments and nonprofits. He has also worked on multiple political campaigns in the Northwest, including numerous issue and ballot measure campaigns. Sandeep’s current practice includes dealing with complicated, high profile policy issues in Seattle, including affordable housing, issues around ridesharing services, short-term rental regulation, transit funding and universal pre-K.
Melissa Santos
Reporter, Axios
Melissa is a veteran reporter with 15+ years of experience covering news in Washington state, with a focus on state politics, the Legislature and the criminal justice system. Melissa covered the state government for the Tacoma News Tribune for five years, was an editorial writer at The Seattle Times for two years, covered state government at Cascade PBS for three years and helped launch Axios Seattle.
Moderator
Feliks Banel
Historian, broadcaster, host and moderator
Feliks Banel is a broadcaster and historian. The Murrow Award-winning podcast host and Emmy-winning TV producer has moderated DSA panel events since 2020. He was deputy director of Seattle’s Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) from 1999–2006.
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Past Events
State of Business in Seattle
Oct. 23, 2025
Members of Seattle’s business community gathered for an engaging discussion on the evolving downtown economy. The panel explored how local businesses — large and small — navigated challenges such as new tax proposals, public safety and federal policy impacts while contributing to downtown’s ongoing revitalization.
Moderator Feliks Banel guided a dynamic conversation featuring Markham McIntyre, director of the Seattle Office of Economic Development; Liz Sparacio, Portland Leather Goods’ Seattle flagship manager; and Howard Wright, founder, CEO and board chair of Seattle Hospitality Group. Panelists shared insights on entrepreneurship, city initiatives under the Downtown Activation Plan and the opportunities ahead as Seattle prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Future of Seattle Center
Sept. 30, 2025
DSA Access brought together key stakeholders and community members for an insightful conversation on the future of Seattle Center amid the renovation of Memorial Stadium. The state-of-the-art multi-purpose stadium will be home to athletics, arts & cultural events, education, entertainment and community events with a scheduled completion of fall 2027.
DSA Access attendees learned about upcoming plans and developments for the 63-year-old campus. From bipartisan legislation seeking to recognize MOPOP as a national museum of pop culture to the Space Needle’s new $100 million double-decker elevators, Seattle Center is taking big steps forward. The panel, moderated by Feliks Banel, featured Marshall Foster of Seattle Center, Ron Sevart of the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass, and Michele Smith of the Museum of Pop Culture.
A Focus on Downtown Retail
May 21, 2025
The spring DSA Access series wrapped up on May 21 with a conversation about downtown retail featuring three speakers with direct impact on that critical economic sector: BH Properties Managing Director of Retail Properties Janel Jensen; Downtown Works Founder Midge McCauley; and Seattle Office of Economic Development Director Markham McIntyre.
The panel discussed the current state of the retail market nationally and in downtown Seattle; local headwinds for retail recruitment and how the city is addressing those concerns; the body of work Midge has begun for DSA in bringing the right mix to the downtown core; and what Janel sees for the future of Pacific Place.
A Conversation With Seattle Chief of Police Shon Barnes
April 30, 2025
Seattle Chief of Police Shon Barnes was just eight months shy of retirement when opportunity came knocking. As he told DSA members, the chance to lead the Seattle Police Department was too great to pass up. Chief Barnes and DSA President & CEO Jon Scholes discussed the new chief’s perspective on downtown’s public safety challenges; the promising trend of higher applicant numbers; why perception of public safety is important; the work of the CARE department and more.
Meet a Few of Downtown’s New Execs
March. 25, 2025
The spring DSA Access series kicked off on March 25 and featured three leaders recently named to head up major downtown institutions and attractions: Jennifer LeMaster, president & CEO of the Seattle Convention Center; Rachel Ligtenberg, executive director of Pike Place Market PDA; and Scott Stulen, director & CEO of the Seattle Art Museum.
Moderated by KIRO Newsradio host and historian Feliks Banel, the panel discussed what drew each of them to their roles, their upcoming plans for their organizations, the importance of returning downtown and more.
A Council Candidate Conversation
Sept. 26, 2024
It’s election season and ballots will arrive in your mailbox in a matter of weeks. Locally, Seattle voters will be asked to decide between two candidates for the City Council’s citywide Position 8, currently held by Tanya Woo.
Our first DSA Virtual Access of the fall season featured both candidates — Woo and Alexis Mercedes Rinck — for a moderated conversation about issues impacting downtown. Host Feliks Banel and the candidates discussed downtown revitalization; specific measures to address public safety; the city’s budget; voter concerns and more.
Transforming Third Avenue
June 20, 2024
Third Avenue is one of the busiest transit corridors in the country, but it falls well short of being the best pedestrian experience. DSA’s Third Avenue Vision and a recent Urban Land Institute Northwest report are generating renewed momentum for a reimagined corridor. Enhancing public safety, improving maintenance, upgrading infrastructure and creating a more welcoming environment are essential to transforming this critical north-south spine through downtown.
During the final event in our spring Virtual Access series, we heard Vice President of Planning & Community Impact Andrew Iltis from the Downtown Denver Partnership. He spoke about that city’s $172 million renovation of the 16th Street Mall, which has inspired conversations in Seattle. We were also joined by Seattle Deputy Mayor Tim Burgess and King County Metro Director of Mobility Chris O’Claire on needed public safety, infrastructure and transportation improvements.
City Council Update — New Council, New Leadership
May 16, 2024
New faces, fresh perspectives and a new president have produced a far different atmosphere, set of priorities and approaches in Seattle City Council chambers. At the second in our spring Virtual Access series presented by Amazon, heard from new Councilmembers about issues impacting downtown, including public safety; the fentanyl crisis; homelessness; the importance of a vibrant downtown for all of Seattle and more. Councilmembers Joy Hollingsworth (District 3), Maritza Rivera (District 4) and Tanya Woo (citywide Position 8) joined us for the discussion.
Peer Downtowns: Issues and Advancements
April 25, 2024
On Thursday, April 25 we kicked off our 2024 spring Virtual Access series presented by Amazon. After a brief winter hiatus, this popular DSA program returned with a discussion on revitalization in peer downtowns; namely, Denver, San Francisco and Philadelphia.
Like downtown Seattle, urban areas across the country are grappling with concurrent — and sometimes intertwined — issues that are impacting revitalization, including the fentanyl crisis, public safety concerns, and lagging office environments. Our panelists discussed those trends and also the positive developments happening in their communities, including growing residential populations, evolving political environments and changes to their retail cores.
Markham McIntyre, director of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development, kicked off the meeting with an update on the mayor’s Downtown Activation Plan.
The Transformation of Downtown’s Waterfront
Nov. 16, 2023
If you’ve been near Seattle’s waterfront recently, you’ve seen the amazing transformation taking shape. Our final fall Virtual Access event was a conversation with three of the people involved in achieving this new vision: Seattle Center Director Marshall Foster, Elliott Bay Connections Consultant Leslie Koch, and Friends of Waterfront Seattle President & CEO Joy Shigaki.
Watch the Webinar
Office and Commercial Space in Downtown Seattle
Oct. 26, 2023
Speculation around the potential use of urban commercial space is one of the most persistent post-pandemic issues. What is the potential for conversions to residential? What’s the state of the market? And how are workspaces being designed to further the value of in-person work and collaboration? Our October panel unpacked these questions and more with HKS Seattle Principal & Office Director Doug Demers, Skipstone President A-P Hurd, and Newmark’s Seattle Office Executive Managing Director Jesse Ottele.
Watch the Webinar
Fentanyl: Seattle’s Public Health Emergency
Sept. 21, 2023
King County is on pace for more than 1,000 overdose deaths this year, with most taking place in Seattle due to fentanyl. What’s the status of our community’s efforts to address this crisis? What can we learn from public health officials? The first event in our fall Virtual Access series dug into this difficult issue with UW Center for Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology and Research Director Caleb Banta-Green, Purpose. Dignity. Action. Medical Director Dr. Cyn Kotarski, and Downtown Emergency Services Center Executive Director Daniel Malone.
Watch the Webinar
Local and National Urban Recovery
May 18, 2023
Our second spring Virtual Access event dug into downtown revitalization — here and across the country. Attendees heard from the head of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development along with experienced urban leaders from across the country. Panelists included University Circle President Kate Borders, and Alliance for Downtown New York President Jessica Lappin.