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Subject: Support for the Seattle Commons
I'm writing to ask the Council to support the Seattle Commons — converting the WSCC Arch at 7th & Pike into a year-round public commons operated by Seattle Center.
The building is publicly owned and sits empty 250 days a year. Activating it every day would anchor the Pike Street corridor and give Seattle a civic space it's been missing.
Please support this project. Thank you.
Want to add your story and write to the Mayor, Governor, and your state reps? Customize below ↓
Open the Arch
Tell Them You Want This
The WSCC board decides how the Arch is used. The Governor, the Mayor, and the King County Executive shape who sits on it. City Council controls the hotel assessment. Here’s who to reach — and what to say.
The Ask
Open the Arch
Getting the Arch open isn't a single decision. It runs through a WSCC board vote, Seattle Center leadership, existing contracts, city budget priorities, and conversations we can't fully map from here.
What we can predict: none of those conversations start without public demand. The officials listed here are the right people to hear from — not because they flip a switch, but because they shape what gets considered. Tell them you want this. That's how the table gets set.
The letters below are pre-written. Copy, personalize if you like, and send.
About you
Who’s writing?
Where do you live?
Your connection to this neighborhood
Your connection to SCC
What would bring you to the Commons?
Your personal paragraph
This will be inserted into your letters when you copy them. Feel free to edit after pasting.
Ask Your AI
Not sure where you stand? Copy this into ChatGPT, Claude, or any AI assistant. If it comes back with support — the action cards are right below.
Seattle City Council
All Nine Members
The Council has the authority to fund and support this project. The ask is simple: get behind it.
Subject: Support for the Seattle Commons
I’m writing to ask the Council to support the Seattle Commons — a proposal to convert the WSCC Arch into a year-round public commons operated by Seattle Center.
[YOUR STORY]
The Arch would provide a free, daily public space for convention visitors, tourists, and Seattle residents alike.
Please support this project.
Thank you.
The Mayor’s office shapes what gets championed and what gets built. This is worth championing.
Subject: Support for the Seattle Commons
Mayor Wilson,
I’m writing to ask you to champion the conversion of the WSCC Arch into a year-round public commons operated by Seattle Center.
[YOUR STORY]
The Arch is a publicly owned building that could become a free, daily civic space — the kind of great public space we both want for this city.
Thank you.
The county sits above both cities as Bellevue becomes a genuine convention competitor. The case here is about what kind of answer Seattle gives.
Subject: Support for the Seattle Commons proposal
Executive Zahilay,
I’m writing to express my support for converting the WSCC Arch into a year-round public commons.
[YOUR STORY]
Bellevue is on track toward parity with Seattle, with new hotels, new convention space, and a direct rail connection. Seattle’s response must be to play from its strengths — to offer the civic density and daily public life that a real urban center provides.
A public commons operated by Seattle Center at the Arch — open every day — would give Seattle residents and people from across King County real reasons to be there: to explore, to teach, to share, to showcase their work. This is a civic project with real benefits for the entire region.
Please support it.
Thank you.
The Governor shapes the WSCC board and can set the tone for how state-chartered public facilities are used.
Subject: Support for the Seattle Commons
Governor Ferguson,
I’m writing to ask for your support for converting the WSCC Arch into a year-round public commons — a free, daily civic space operated by Seattle Center.
[YOUR STORY]
Washington’s convention visitors arrive with time and money to spend. A Commons at the Arch gives them a gateway to the city and to the state — and gives all of us a public space that’s open and active every day.
The WSCC board is accountable to the state. Your support for this proposal would be meaningful.
Thank you.
State reps represent regions that benefit when convention visitors travel beyond Seattle. They’re also the path if RCW 35.101 needs clarification to permit a visitor facility as an eligible TPA use.
Subject: Support for the Seattle Commons
I’m writing to ask you to support the Seattle Commons — a proposal to convert the WSCC Arch at 7th and Pike into a year-round public commons operated by Seattle Center.
[YOUR STORY]
Washington built the Convention Center to capture the value of out-of-state visitors. A free, daily Commons at the Arch puts that investment to work: giving visitors a reason to stay, explore, and spend more time in Washington.
Please support this.
Thank you.