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Small business owners in this historic South Seattle district benefit from walkability and access to light rail and bus lines
Small business owners in this historic South Seattle district benefit from walkability and access to light rail and bus lines
The Columbia City Landmark District is a historic business district in South Seattle. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and includes a central village green that used to be a ravine creek. Many buildings and facades built in the early 1900s still stand.
According to the Columbia City Business Association, Columbia City has about 16,000 people, 51% of whom are people of color. Columbia City residents speak 23 languages. The neighborhood has over 30 acres of greenspace and is highly walkable, with a walk score of 84 and a bike score of 64.
Columbia City’s Landmark District includes a vibrant variety of small businesses, including ethnic restaurants, bakeries, cafes, wine bars, taverns, cinemas, retro arcades, convenience stores, barbershops, and professional services. The historic downtown area centered on Rainier Avenue South has wide sidewalks and a diverse mix of newer and long-standing businesses. Although most businesses are small, some large companies, like insurance companies, have offices there. In the summers, Columbia City has a bustling weekly farmers market with fresh produce and local artisan goods. Columbia City has also hosted the Beatwalk, a summer-long live music festival, for over 30 years.
This neighborhood started as a mill and railroad town, sending lumber to Seattle up north and receiving processed goods in return. Fittingly, Columbia City was one of the first stations on the Sound Transit light rail route from downtown Seattle to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The light rail now takes people in and out of Columbia City, to and from local colleges like Seattle College and University of Washington, the airport, and other neighborhoods in Greater Seattle.
Additionally, Columbia City is served by King County Metro’s bus routes 7 and 50, taking riders to and from central downtown Seattle and West Seattle neighborhoods. While the area is well-connected to central transit throughways like the light rail, residents often need one or more transfers to get where they need to go.
“I utilize public transit daily here in Seattle, and the Link has become a major part of my commute to and from work. The Columbia City station is just a short, safe walk from the tattoo shop, making the shop easily accessible to clients from all across the city.”
– Dante Brooks, Owner of Dante Royal Tattoo
Surveying Small Business Owners
Surveying Small Business Owners
In July and August 2026, we reached out to a wide variety of small business owners along Columbia City's main street. Our respondents included restaurateurs, shop owners, dentists, artists, print and copy service people, and other skilled entrepreneurs. Full survey results are in the appendix.
Survey Results - Takeaways
Survey Results - Takeaways
Walkability
Walkability
For Columbia City small business owners, identified walkability was an important part of their business district's success, with all those surveyed indicating that walkability supports a thriving local business economy.
All but two surveyed business owners either strongly agreed or agreed that potential customers were more likely to enter their business if walking by rather than driving by. The remaining two owners were neutral.
While most agreed that walkability in the area is good (average 7.8 out of 10), all but one of them supported investing in walkability in the community.
Survey responses to the statement: "I support investments in walkability around my business"
Survey responses to the statement: "A robust public transit system would better support my customers who are aging or have disabilities access local business, community, and services."
Public Transit
Public Transit
97 % of those surveyed agreed or strongly agreed that a robust transit system makes it easier for people to visit their business. The one exception was neutral on the issue.
86% agreed or strongly agreed that a robust transit system supports recruiting and retaining employees.
When specifically asked about disabled customers, 63% of surveyed business owners strongly agreed and 30% agreed that a robust public transit system would better support customers who are aging or have disabilities to access local businesses, community, and services, while the remaining 7% were neutral or had no opinion.
58% of surveyed business owners strongly agreed and 31% agreed that robust public transit would make it easier to recruit and retain staff. The remaining 11% were neutral or had no opinion.
While most surveyed business owners believed that public transit in the area is already good (average of 7.4 out of 10), all but one respondent supported further investments in public transit.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The vast majority of small business owners who responded to our survey supported investments in walkability and public transit, both in their district and across the city. Respondents viewed both walkability and public transit favorably; some respondents noted that there was room for improvement in areas abutting the historic business district to improve bike infrastructure and walkability.
Regardless of their thoughts on current walkability and transit infrastructure, all surveyed business owners agreed that a robust transit system and a walkable community benefit their businesses and the local economy. They recognized that investments in reliability and frequency would make public transit more useful and accessible to people in the community.
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