Today’s digest covers a dramatic downturn in Seattle’s office market, with nearly 37% vacancy and the emergence of “zombie towers”; a wave of excitement around the decisive 2026 World Cup match in the city; and a tragic fireworks incident in Kent, where three people were injured and hospitalized.
Seattle Faces Years of “Zombie Towers”: Record Office Vacancy Downtown
Downtown Seattle has hit an all-time low for empty office space: nearly 37% of properties sit vacant, and local analysts warn that the city may face years of “zombie towers”—high-rise buildings that no one wants to lease, yet remain in operation, losing value and creating tax gaps. The data, compiled by brokerage firm Cushman & Wakefield and published in The Seattle Times, paints a bleak picture: since 2020, the value of downtown office real estate has fallen by 46%, losing $15 billion, while annual property tax revenue has dropped by $128 million. The 44-story U.S. Bank Center at Fifth Avenue and Pike Street is nearly half empty and is being sold at bargain prices, and prominent developer Martin Selig has reportedly defaulted on a significant part of his portfolio.
This is not a typical downturn. As The Seattle Times notes, after the Great Recession in 2008, downtown vacancy reached 21%, but the market recovered over the following five years. Now those figures have long surpassed that level and continue to climb. If office demand were to suddenly return to pre-pandemic levels, it would take another eight years to fill the space that is already empty—and no one in the industry expects such a rebound. Companies are moving in large numbers to Bellevue, where vacancy is 25% (close to the national average of 23%), and the article’s authors argue that the real cause is not Seattle’s taxes or anti-business rhetoric, but a broader decline in the technology sector. However, employers repeatedly point to the opposite.
Earlier, the Seattle Red outlet reported that Seattle posted the worst office vacancy rate among all major cities in the United States, and the Downtown Seattle Association directly linked the collapse to new taxes on employers. The city introduced a new 9.9% income tax, which led to nearly a threefold increase in Washington companies planning to leave the state. The $128 million property-tax shortfall is not going away: according to King County’s assessor, the value of downtown skyscrapers fell by $3.7 billion in just one year. The burden will fall on tenants, homeowners, and small businesses—the very people, city officials claim, that their taxes protect. Mayor Cathy Wilson may propose a tax on vacant buildings, but these “zombie towers” are not a disease—they’re a symptom of bad policy.
The term “zombie towers” (zombie towers) refers to high-rise buildings that are not technically demolished or repaired, but are economically dead: they generate no income, do not attract tenants, yet continue to be taxed and require maintenance, becoming a drain on the city. In Seattle’s case, critics say it is the result of an oversupply of office space, reduced demand after the pandemic, and—according to critics—aggressive tax policies that have scared off business. By the calculations, even under the most optimistic scenario, the market could take nearly a decade to recover, and during all that time taxpayers will be subsidizing vacancy. A detailed analysis can be found in the original Seattle Red article, which includes both statistics and polarized views on the causes of the crisis.
Seattle’s Final 2026 World Cup Match Promises to Be the Biggest Event of the City
A few months ago, when Seattle learned it would host six men’s World Cup matches, no one expected that one of them would prove decisive for the United States national team. Now that the stakes include a quarterfinal berth, Monday’s match against Belgium threatens to become the biggest event of the tournament for this city. The soccer fever in Seattle has already reached its peak, but the news that Americans are returning to the pitch for a chance to keep the fight going sparked a real frenzy. The white-and-red striped jerseys of the U.S. team can be seen all over the city; there were even rumors the president would attend the game, but they were not confirmed. City officials announced that the pedestrian zone in Pioneer Square—the epicenter of street celebrations—would open earlier than usual. Transit workers, bar owners, and fans are preparing for a massive influx of people.
Zachary Fajardo, who works at Hometeam and Darkalino’s near Occidental Square, says it will be the biggest crowd of the entire tournament. “It’s insanely fun here—every day is a real party,” he told KUOW. Monday promises to be a true marathon. U.S. fans will gather at Pier 58 at 10:30 a.m., where they’ll find food, DJs, and a big screen. Belgium supporters will meet at Victory Hall near the stadium at 11 a.m. Then both groups will move toward the stadium with songs and chants, and the streets around Pioneer Square will be packed. To handle the flow, the pedestrian area will open at 12:30—30 minutes earlier than on previous match days. In addition to the official fan zones at Seattle Center, Pacific Place, and along the waterfront, officials announced another one for the weekend, in Chinatown at Hing Hay Park. Local businesses complained the championship didn’t bring the expected revenue, so the new venue could help turn things around.
A further boost of optimism for U.S. fans came from a Sunday announcement: a red card shown to Folarin Balogun in the previous match, which had threatened his absence against Belgium, was overturned by FIFA. That moment became the main topic of conversation. “I feel great—especially after FIFA overturned that ridiculous foul on Balogun,” said Eric Wilkins from Oakland, predicting a 2–1 win for the U.S. He believes the forward will score two goals to stick it to the organization. But not everyone shares the optimism. Laura Prato, who traveled from Belgium to support her team, also predicts 2–1, but in favor of the Europeans. “The match will be very difficult—definitely not easy—but I think Belgium will win. At least that’s my hope,” she admitted.
Based on the five previous matches held in Seattle, Monday will be the biggest day. During the most recent match involving the U.S. team on June 19, the region set records in public transportation ridership, pedestrian activity, store sales, and even the number of rides on Lime electric scooters. Now that the stakes for both teams are as high as possible, fans are getting ready for a game that millions of people around the world will watch. As noted in a KUOW article, this really is the high point of the city’s soccer celebration.
Fireworks in Kent: Three Hospitalized, Police and Firefighters Investigate
The Independence Day holiday hadn’t even ended when tragedy struck the Seattle suburb in a fireworks-related incident. The incident in the city of Kent sent three people to the hospital, and all of them suffered serious injuries. It’s a reminder that even legal fireworks can be dangerous if people lose their guard.
Reports say the call came in on July 5, shortly after 1 p.m. Puget Sound Fire and King County Medic One crews responded quickly and transported the injured to a Seattle hospital. In a press release posted on the social network X, it was emphasized that the circumstances of the incident are still under investigation. The probe is being handled by fire investigators as well as Kent police. More details, according to the Seattle Police Department, will be released on Monday, July 6.
Statistics are especially concerning: during the same period last year (the end of the article mentions 2025, which is likely a typo—most likely it refers to 2024 or 2023), Harborview Medical Center logged dozens of cases related to fireworks. Among them were 21 hand injuries, 14 eye injuries, 9 injuries to other body parts, and eight people were hurt in multiple areas—for example, eyes and hands at the same time. Even in just Central Pierce Fire and Rescue alone, firefighters responded to hundreds of calls during the holiday. Those figures show how easy it is to lose control over pyrotechnics. Every year, doctors remind people that no firework is worth a finger or eyesight—but, unfortunately, people keep taking risks.
According to the source FOX 13 Seattle, the situation in Kent is just one episode in a string of July celebrations. Authorities urge residents to be extremely careful and remind them that using unlicensed fireworks is often prohibited or restricted, and that careless handling can lead to irreversible consequences. Against the backdrop of other news—earthquakes in Oak Harbor, the World Cup, and wildfires—this case once again confirms: even the brightest fireworks can end with a hospital bed.
