Downtown Seattle Stories

Downtown Seattle Association•soundcloud.com

A podcast series about how Seattle came to be one of the most dynamic downtowns anywhere, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Downtown Seattle Association.

Last refreshed: July 11th, 2025 at 4:24 PM ⓘ

Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.

Follow on

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

RSS

Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app

Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

EPISODE SIX: Downtown Stories with Jon Scholes, Heidi Hughes and Liz Dunn

In the sixth and concluding episode of Downtown Stories from the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA), producer/host Feliks Banel sits down at Westlake Park with DSA President and CEO Jon Scholes to talk about the future of downtown Seattle. We also speak with Heidi Hughes, executive director of Friends of Seattle Waterfront, and developer Liz Dunn of Dunn & Hobbs. Downtown Stories is a podcast series exploring the past, present and future of downtown Seattle and commemorating the 60th anniver...

Sep 30, 2019•28 min

EPISODE FIVE: Downtown Stories with guest Kate Joncas

In Episode Five of Downtown Stories from the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA), producer/host Feliks Banel sits down at Occidental Park in Pioneer Square with Kate Joncas, who served as CEO of the DSA for 20 years beginning in 1994. During that time, the Metropolitan Improvement District (MID) was formed, and the city faced challenges like the WTO and the Nisqually Earthquake, and opportunities such as the emerging new waterfront and continued economic growth. Downtown Stories is a podcast seri...

Jul 06, 2019•26 min

EPISODE FOUR: Downtown Stories with guest Virginia Anderson

In Episode Four of Downtown Stories from the Downtown Seattle Association, producer/host Feliks Banel sits down at a coffee shop with Virginia Anderson, former director of Seattle Center, and one of the people most closely involved in DSA's efforts to create new housing in that era, and to launch the DSA initiative that became Bellwether Housing. Downtown Stories is a podcast series exploring the past, present and future of downtown Seattle and commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Downtown ...

Apr 02, 2019•24 min

EPISODE THREE: Downtown Stories with guest Norman B. Rice

In Episode Three of Downtown Stories from the Downtown Seattle Association, producer/host Feliks Banel sits down at Westlake Park with former mayor of Seattle Norm Rice. Rice was mayor during the 1990s, when Seattle's retail core was in transition, with Pine Street between 4th Avenue and 5th Avenue becoming the front line in a vigorous debate over the city's future. Downtown Stories is a podcast series exploring the past, present and future of downtown Seattle and commemorating the 60th annivers...

Nov 29, 2018•26 min

EPISODE TWO: Downtown Stories with guest John Gilmore

In Episode Two of Downtown Stories from the Downtown Seattle Association, we take a literal drive through some of the changes that came to the city from the 1960s to the 1990s. John Gilmore, who worked for the DSA from 1966 to 1994, joined producer/host Feliks Banel for a front-seat view of history -- as well as some thoughts about the future -- of the world's most dynamic downtown. Downtown Stories is a podcast series exploring the past, present and future of downtown Seattle and commemorating ...

Sep 03, 2018•27 min

EPISODE ONE: Downtown Stories with guest Leonard Garfield

In Episode One of Downtown Stories from the Downtown Seattle Association, we explore the roots of the modern city in its 19th and early 20th century history, from the 1850s to World War II. Leonard Garfield, Executive Director of the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI), joined producer/host Feliks Banel for a conversation at the foot of Yesler Way, and in the shadow of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Downtown Stories is a podcast series exploring the past, present and future of downtown Seattle an...

Aug 05, 2018•19 min

For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android