DSA Access With Feliks Banel
A series focused on issues impacting downtown
Held each spring and fall, this series focuses on issues impacting downtown. In a moderated panel format, leaders discuss a specific timely topic each session. Recent events have focused on public safety, downtown’s opioid crisis and insights from other peer cities.
Downtown’s 10-year Vision
When:
Thursday, March 19
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:
- Corporate member: $35
Members active through their company or organization - Downtown resident member: $25
Reach out to Giselle Ferrufino to access resident pricing: gisellef@downtownseattle.org.
Join us as we kick off our spring DSA Access series with a conversation about downtown Seattle’s opportunity and vision for the next decade.
As DSA embarks on the development of our 10-year strategic plan, we’re bringing together civic leaders and changemakers to explore what the future of downtown can, and should, look like. From economic vitality and public safety to arts, culture and public space, this is a pivotal moment to shape the next chapter of our city’s core.
Appetizers and drinks will be served. Open to DSA members and MID ratepayers.
Register TodayPanelists
Rob Johnson
Executive Director, Seattle Center Foundation
After a career as a transit advocate, Rob was elected as the first councilmember to represent District 4 on the Seattle City Council. During his time in office, he helped pass one of the largest zoning increases in Seattle’s history, led the Sound Transit 3 plan to create $54B in funding for light rail expansion and passed several Seattle ballot measures to raise millions for affordable housing, education and parks. Rob went on to work for the Seattle Kraken and Climate Pledge arena helping to stand up their fan facing transportation programs. As executive director of Seattle Center Foundation, Rob is responsible for oversight of their current programs, working with the SCF Board on the strategic vision for their future and fundraising to support the collaborative work with Seattle Center public sector and nonprofit partners.
Kate Joncas
Director of Urban Strategy and Development, MIG
Kate is currently the director of urban strategy and development for MIG. She leads strategic efforts for complex urban projects in downtowns, neighborhoods and urbanizing places. As Seattle deputy mayor from 2014-2017, she directed 32 departments, led waterfront redevelopment and Convention Center expansion, and developed a nationally recognized government performance initiative. Before that, she was the President & CEO of the Downtown Seattle Association, where for 20 years she led one of the most successful revitalization projects in the country.
Rico Quirindongo
Director at Office of Planning and Community Development, City of Seattle
Rico Quirindongo, AIA, has been working for 30 years to revitalize and reimagine Seattle historic landmarks and neighborhoods. Rico believes that through vision, authentic community engagement and multi-agency cross collaboration, opportunities for social change can be realized through community-invested civic projects. Rico was a mayoral appointee to the Historic Seattle Council for six years, was a founding member of the National Organization of Minority Architects Northwest Chapter and sat on the AIA+2030 national steering committee.
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 Politics in Seattle
Nov. 13, 2025
Following the Washington state general election, DSA members gathered to learn about what the results mean. Key races — including Seattle mayor, King County executive, legislative and city attorney positions and a proposed alteration to the B&O tax — were reviewed in depth. Our DSA Access, presented by DoorDash, offered attendees clear post-election analysis and context from an expert panel, moderated by Feliks Banel.
Panelists examined voter priorities, discussed implications for issues critical to downtown and shared their prognostications for the months ahead. Ben Anderstone, Sandeep Kaushik and Melissa Santos brought deep political, strategic and journalistic expertise to the conversation, offering nuanced insight into the region’s evolving landscape.
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.