February 20, 2024
Gerry Johnson Co-Authors Op-Ed for The Seattle Times
Pacifica founding partner Gerry Johnson co-authored an op-ed published by The Seattle Times this past weekend. Gerry wrote the piece with his friend, frequent collaborator, fellow Seattle native, and Pacifica client Matt Griffin.
The piece urges concerned Seattleites to actively participate in revitalizing our struggling downtown by showing up—for an extra day in the office, or to take advantage of our myriad arts, culture, and entertainment opportunities. “Think about and act on ways in which you can simply use downtown,” they write.
Gerry and Matt also urge some perspective. “Just now, our beloved city is struggling, and not for the first time,” they write. As lifelong Seattle residents, they note that Seattle has faced several challenges in the past few decades that have threatened the city’s vitality. They have each participated in civic projects that have helped shape the city as we know it today. Gerry has focused both professionally and personally through his volunteer service on community-building projects including the redevelopment of Pike Place Market, the construction of T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field, the Seattle Art Museum’s expansion downtown, and the in-progress Waterfront Park and recently announced Elliot Bay Connections Project.
Seattle faces serious challenges “with social and economic equity, fentanyl, mental health access, homelessness, and perceived and real public safety concerns,” write Gerry and Matt. But they predict the city will grow and flourish once more with the help of concerned Seattle citizens, just as it has from previous struggles.
“We believe the best years for our downtown are ahead of us, but our work is never done,” they conclude.
