Committee approves Downtown Seattle digital kiosk program after amendment directing city revenue

The Seattle City Council Governance, Accountability and Economic Development Committee voted 4-0 on June 12 to recommend passage of Council Bill 120992, an ordinance authorizing the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) to install interactive digital kiosks in the public right-of-way under a programmatic term permit and a city-DSA memorandum of understanding.

The ordinance authorizes a programmatic term permit for DSA and its vendor, Ike Smart City, to place up to 80 kiosks in two phases (30 in phase 1, a potential 50 in phase 2), establishes technical and siting standards, and sets reporting, maintenance and revenue-sharing requirements. Committee members adopted Amendment 1, moved by Councilmember Amelia Hollingsworth, to specify that excess city revenues from the kiosks be used for citywide business activation and business districts; the amendment and the bill were adopted by roll call, 4-0.

Supporters said the kiosks will provide multilingual wayfinding, free public Wi-Fi, safety features and a revenue stream for business districts. "We urge you to approve this measure and help to deliver a more connected, inclusive, and welcoming experience for every visitor," said Michael Woody of Visit Seattle, citing visitor numbers and tax revenue from tourism. John Scholes of the Downtown Seattle Association told the committee the program has broad support from arts, transit and business improvement organizations and urged passage: "I urge your...support and passage of the ordinance before you today."

SDOT Street Use Division Director Elise Nelson reviewed key operational safeguards in the ordinance and the attached memorandum of understanding. She told the committee the program followed a multi-year planning process and a SEPA determination of non-significance. Nelson said the term permit includes prohibitions on collecting personally identifiable information except when a user gives consent to connect to the free Wi‑Fi or retrieve a selfie, and that kiosks will be subject to brightness limits in the Seattle sign code. "The DSA or IKE will not be collecting any personal identifiable information," she said.

Opponents and commenters raised concerns about aesthetics, privacy and surveillance. Cynthia Spies said the kiosks will function largely as billboards and urged the council to disallow cameras and strengthen privacy protections. Alberto Alvarez warned that surveillance tools could be misused and urged denial; David Haines said kiosks should stream to CCTV to aid policing, arguing public safety concerns justify expanded monitoring.

The ordinance sets siting limits (no kiosks in landmark/special review districts, shoreline, waterfront, parks boulevards or residential zones), requires placement in the furniture zone on low-speed streets away from crosswalks and intersections, and bans removal of street trees to accommodate installations. Phase 1 would deploy 30 kiosks inside the Metropolitan Improvement District (MID); DSA would receive $1,100,000 in phase 1 revenue under the proposal with additional revenue directed to the city, and the MOU establishes revenue-sharing formulas (the committee memo noted a 32.5 percent gross revenue share to DSA compared with other cities). The term permit length is 16.5 years with one renewable 13.5-year term (total potential 30 years).

Committee members emphasized downtown activation and public safety as reasons for support. Chair Sarah Nelson said the program combines technological innovation with public benefits including cleaning, ambassador services and support for small businesses. Councilmember Kettle and Councilmember Rivera cited the program's potential to support BIAs and improve downtown safety and vibrancy.

Next steps listed by SDOT include site-specific installation permitting, additional SEPA review where required, public outreach and compliance inspections; committee members and SDOT said kiosks would not be installed without those subsequent approvals and that phase 2 would require additional executive approval. The committee record shows the ordinance and adopted amendment will proceed to full council for final action.