From Pandemic to Prosperity: Downtowns Reimagined

9:00 a.m. - 9:05 a.m. | Welcome by PSRC

9:05 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. | Opening Remarks - Importance of Downtowns
Speaker: Markam McIntyre, Seattle Director, Economic Development

9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Plenary Panel 1 - Health and Recovery of Downtowns
Panelists will share national and regional data that illustrated challenges and opportunities for downtown recovery. Moderated by Brian Lee, Ph.D., PSRC. Speakers: Karen Chapple, Ph.D., University of Toronto; Tracy Hadden Loh, Ph.D., Fellow, Brookings Metro; Cynthia Chen, Ph.D., University of Washington

10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. | Coffee/Discussion Break - Interactive Polling

10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. | Plenary Panel 2 - Reimagining Downtowns: Local Perspectives
Panelists will discuss how to make downtowns attractive for all groups of people, including office workers, residents, and visitors. Panelists will also discuss how the pandemic and recovery is reshaping city visions for downtowns and transit service. Moderated by Andrea Newton, ULI. Speakers: Lyle Bicknell, Urban Designer, City of Seattle; Mason Thompson, Mayor of Bothell; Michelle Allison, General Manager, Metro Transit;Brendan Nelson, Empowering People in Communities

11:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Closing Remarks

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Lunch at PSRC office
During lunch, Rep. Julia Reed (36^th District) will address the importance of our city centers as great places to live, work and visit. (in-person only)