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­Seattle Makes Strides as a Walkable City

This past week, WalkScore announced  Amercia’s Most Walkable Cities and Neighborhoods ranking Seattle number six from a field of 2,500 cities.  The organization based its rankings on proximity to nearby amenities such as grocery stores, schools, parks and public transit and promotes walkable neighborhoods for their economic, environmental and health benefits. According to Josh Herst, WalkScore CEO, “America’s most walkable cities and neighborhoods make it easy for residents to leave their cars at home more often.   The latest real estate trends show that homes and apartments in walkable areas are in high demand and are worth more than their less-walkable counterparts.”

WalkScore  rated the Denny Triangle area of Seattle as the city’s most walkable neighborhood; notably, SDOT’s McGraw Square, which was completed earlier this year. The Square is not only a hub for making streetcar and transit connections, but is designed as a gathering place in the heart of downtown Seattle.  

SDOT has many programs that promote walking, including the popular Summer Streets program which introduces citizens to a whole new way of enjoying  streets.  For information about upcoming Summer Streets events, please see our website.

There are several new sidewalk projects that are in design this year for installation next year as part of the Neighborhood Street Fund Program, and SDOT is making many other pedestrian improvements through the Bridging the Gap program, including building ten block faces of new sidewalk and 50 crossing and safety improvements. 

If you would like to take advantage of the benefits of walking, SDOT makes it easier for you to get started by providing a downloadable walking map of the City.