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On October 8, 2026, the Seattle Convention Center opened C-STAR, its storefront safety hub at 810 Pike, together with the Seattle Police Department. KING 5 has the story. The convention center posted its own announcement the next day.
The same day, its president and CEO, Jennifer LeMaster, wrote on LinkedIn: "In January 2025, C-STAR (Convention-Safety Technology Action Results) started with an idea."
Here is what the convention center said about C-STAR between then and opening day, as far as the Dispatch has found.
2025. No mention in the board's 2025 minutes. No mention in Convention Connection, the convention center's internal monthly newsletter, from January through October.
December 2025. The internal newsletter lists "the Pike Safety Hub" among the items in a $4.3 million 2026 capital budget.
January 2026. The CEO's letter in the internal newsletter: "This summer, we will open C-STAR, a first-of-its-kind integrated public safety and security resource center located at 810 Pike."
January 2026. The convention center advertises the construction bid, titled "C-STAR PROJECT" (Contract 550-0126-1): "a new safety hub at the Seattle Convention Center's facilities in downtown Seattle." Pre-bid meeting January 28; bids due February 10.
January 27, 2026. The convention center's board unanimously authorizes the CEO to sign the general contractor agreement. The minutes: "Mr. Houg [COO] provided an update on the C-STAR Safety Hub, to be developed at 810 Pike in a former retail space."
February 24, 2026. C-STAR is part of the Facility Committee update at the board meeting.
February–June 2026. No mention in the internal newsletter.
May 2026. A job posting for an executive director of emergency management describes the role as "strategic director for the Public Safety Hub (C-STAR)."
May 2026. A fourteen-page profile of the convention center in Business View Magazine, its information "provided by" the convention center, according to the publisher, mentions "an integrated operations and public safety center, created in partnership with local agencies," without naming it.
June 24, 2026. The convention center announces Jesse Anderson, formerly undersheriff of the King County Sheriff's Office, as executive director of emergency management, overseeing C-STAR, "scheduled to open in August."
June 30, 2026. A posting for a $24-an-hour public information specialist describes C-STAR as "approachable, service-oriented, and human-focused."
July 2026. A green CLEAN · SAFE · SECURE sign with a "CStar" logo goes up over the Pike Street sidewalk.
August 25, 2026. Anderson gives a C-STAR update at the board meeting: a Coffee with a Cop event and a Seattle Safe Place designation, a Seattle Police Department program for places where people can wait safely for police.
Jesse Anderson presents C-STAR's Seattle Safe Place designation, a Seattle Police Department program, at the board's August 25 meeting. Photo: Ivan Schneider.
September 9, 2026. After the first Coffee with a Cop, the CEO on LinkedIn: "our new public-facing C-STAR safety and visitor resource center."
September 15, 2026. The convention center's website adds a C-STAR page: "an innovative concept that reimagines public safety through a collaborative and hospitality-focused public-private partnership model," "Funded and staffed by SCC at 810 Pike Street." Hours: "Tuesday-Saturday, 7:30am-4:00pm."
At opening. Digital signage in the storefront window: "Together, we're building a safer and more welcoming downtown. Thank you to our project partners!" The partners listed are DM Pacific Construction, J. Graham & Co., Graham Baba Architects and McKinstry.
October 8, 2026. C-STAR opens.
The Dispatch's C-STAR coverage: What's Behind the Door at 810 Pike? (May 6) · Please Tell Me There's Nothing to Worry About (May 8) · "No Such Policy Has Been Adopted" (May 27) · C-STAR Will Open as a Storefront Safety Hub (May 29) · Clean, Safe, Secure — and Coming Soon (July 18)
Sources: Jennifer LeMaster, LinkedIn, September 9 and October 9, 2026; SCC Convention Connection (internal newsletter), January 2025 through June 2026; SCC PFD board minutes, 2025 and January 27, 2026; SCC PFD board meeting, February 24 and August 25, 2026; SCC Advertisement for Public Works Bids, "C-STAR PROJECT," Contract 550-0126-1 (listed on the state's WEBS portal); SCC Executive Director of Emergency Management job posting, May 2026; Business View Magazine, May 2026, p. 74; SCC, "Emergency Management Leadership Appointed," June 24, 2026; SCC Public Information Specialist job posting, June 30, 2026; C-STAR storefront window digital signage, photographed October 9, 2026; SCC, "C-Star" visitor page, published September 15, 2026; SCC, "C-STAR Opens on Pike Street," October 9, 2026; KING 5, October 8, 2026.
Ivan Schneider is the founding editor of the Convention City Dispatch.
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