The green C-STAR sign over the storefront at 810 Pike Street

What is…

C-STAR

The convention center's storefront safety hub at 810 Pike. What it is, what it is for, who runs it, and when you can go.

Updated November 6, 2026.

What is it?

A street-level space at 810 Pike Street, set into the convention center's Pike Street frontage, under a green "CStar · Clean · Safe · Secure" sign. It opened on October 8, 2026. The name stands for Convention – Safety Technology Action Result. C-STAR is funded and staffed by SCC.

The convention center describes it as "an innovative concept that reimagines public safety through a collaborative and hospitality-focused public-private partnership model."

The digital sign in the C-STAR window, to the left of the entrance
The digital sign in the window reads "Together, we're building a safer and more welcoming downtown. Thank you to our project partners!"

What is it for?

In the convention center's words, it "brings together hospitality, public-safety resources, information and technology in one accessible location," for convention guests and attendees and for people who live, work and visit downtown. Visitors can stop in for directions, report a concern, connect with community or social-service resources, or ask for help in an urgent situation.

The center also says the hub gives public-safety and community partners a place to coordinate, and that it has identified the Seattle Police Department, the Downtown Seattle Association and Visit Seattle among the downtown organizations supporting the initiative. It is designated as an SPD Safe Space, which the center describes as "an accessible place where people can seek support."

Who runs it?

The convention center, which is run by a public agency, the Washington State Convention Center Public Facilities District. Its nine-member board is appointed by the Governor, the King County Executive and the Mayor of Seattle, and authorized the construction contract on January 27, 2026. Jesse Anderson, formerly undersheriff of the King County Sheriff's Office, is the executive director of emergency management and oversees C-STAR.

The C-STAR storefront seen from across the street
The storefront from across the street.

When can you go?

The convention center's website lists C-STAR as staffed Tuesday through Saturday, 7:30am to 4:00pm, as of November 6, 2026, with plans to extend the hours. Check seattlecc.com for current hours.

Sources: SCC, "C-Star" page (seattlecc.com/c-star) and "C-STAR Opens on Pike Street," October 9, 2026, both read November 6, 2026; SCC, "Emergency Management Leadership Appointed," June 24, 2026; SCC, "Governance" page, read November 6, 2026 (the board and its appointing bodies); SCC PFD board minutes, January 27, 2026; C-STAR storefront signage, photographed October 9, 2026. Every date and quote above can be checked against them.

Ivan Schneider is the founding editor of the Convention City Dispatch.

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