Painted decorations keep part of Ninth Avenue closed
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A block of Ninth Avenue in downtown Seattle remains closed because of painted decorations that just won't come off.
Why it matters: The colorful circles and white lines on the pavement have outlived the summer event they were meant to enhance — and the block won't reopen until the paint is covered or removed.
Catch up quick: The lines and circles were painted by the Seattle Convention Center to accompany an event called Market at the Marquee, which took place on Thursday nights in August.
- The road was supposed to reopen Sept. 4, but the Seattle Department of Transportation won't allow traffic to return until the paint is dealt with, KIRO reports.
What they're saying: "The temporary pavement markings applied as part of an art installation have proven more difficult to remove than anticipated," Loni Syltebo, a Convention Center spokesperson, wrote in an email to the Seattle Times.
- "We are working closely with SDOT and our contractors on a solution and remain in regular communication with affected neighbors and businesses."
Zoom in: The block between Pike and Pine streets is used by drivers to reach the Interstate 5 express lane onramp, KIRO reports.
- Drivers can still access the freeway from Pike Street, but the closure is forcing some to detour or drive around to get there, causing traffic delays, according to the radio station.
The convention center has tried using Taginator graffiti remover and heated pressure washers to get the paint off, but to little avail, Syltebo told the Times.
- Portions of the road surface began to lift during removal, creating another obstacle to reopening the street, the convention center says.
- The city isn't imposing fines over the lingering street paint because the convention center has been working to address the issue, SDOT told the Times.
What's next: It's not clear when the street will reopen.
- The painted lines and green, red, blue and yellow dots remained brightly colored — and very much stuck — when Axios stopped by Friday morning.
- SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson told Axios the artwork will be covered up — most likely with paint — as a temporary fix, with lane markings applied on top so the street can reopen. The agency expects to provide another progress update next week.
- Longer term, the artwork will likely be ground off and the road repaired and restriped, Bergerson said.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to add new information from the Seattle Department of Transportation and the convention center.