Photo Essay

RTH Does Northwest Part 1: Seattle, Washington

A successful urban environment like Seattle offers lessons for Hamilton on how cities can grow, develop and thrive.

By Jason Leach
Published April 12, 2009

Extensive use of cobblestone through the old downtown and market district make Seattle a pleasure to walk around.
Extensive use of cobblestone through the old downtown and market district make Seattle a pleasure to walk around.

It's early morning on a Saturday, yet the hustle and bustle is already beginning. Note the woonerf sidewalks and brickwork creating a pedestrian-oriented design across the roadway.
It's early morning on a Saturday, yet the hustle and bustle is already beginning. Note the woonerf sidewalks and brickwork creating a pedestrian-oriented design across the roadway.

Historic buildings are restored and re-used.
Historic buildings are restored and re-used.

A modern streetcar winds its way through downtown Seattle.
A modern streetcar winds its way through downtown Seattle.

A gorgeous old building with an electric articulated bus. How I long for electric buses in Hamilton - they are so quiet when passing by.
A gorgeous old building with an electric articulated bus. How I long for electric buses in Hamilton - they are so quiet when passing by.

The Emerald City from Kerry Park.
The Emerald City from Kerry Park.

The historic Pike Place Market.
The historic Pike Place Market.

A market alleyway lined with cafes, shops and restaurants.
A market alleyway lined with cafes, shops and restaurants.

Steep market hill.
Steep market hill.

Public art
Public art

The market interior is wonderful. I truly hope that our own Hamilton Farmers Market doesn't try to develop a uniform signage and 'upscale' yuppy feel to it.
The market interior is wonderful. I truly hope that our own Hamilton Farmers Market doesn't try to develop a uniform signage and 'upscale' yuppy feel to it.

Neon abounds in the Seattle Market. Hamilton would be wise to learn from this fabulous marketplace before completing changes to ours.
Neon abounds in the Seattle Market. Hamilton would be wise to learn from this fabulous marketplace before completing changes to ours.

Jason Leach was born and raised in the Hammer and currently lives downtown with his wife and children. You can follow him on twitter.

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By Train Lane (anonymous) | Posted April 16, 2009 at 12:33:49

It's no Portland.

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[ - ]

By Turning Lane (anonymous) | Posted April 16, 2009 at 22:43:31


It's no Hamilton.

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By Wait a Minute (anonymous) | Posted April 17, 2009 at 15:53:02

Everything's perfect here in Hamilton. Our market is the best in the world and everyone knows it but is afraid to admit it because then nobody would go to Toronto to shop. So there.

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