Seattle Local Pulse: Ballard Fire, Seattle Center Ballot Measure, Flow Fest Kicks Off

Good morning, this is Seattle Local Pulse for Friday, June 12, 2026. We start in Ballard, where Seattle Fire is still monitoring the aftermath of that three alarm warehouse fire near Northwest 42nd Street and Leary Way Northwest. Crews battle the flames at the Consolidated Supply Company building, and investigators work to determine the cause. We keep our windows closed if we live nearby, and we plan for lingering traffic delays around Leary and the Ballard Bridge through the morning. From City Hall, the big development is the Seattle City Council moving forward on a major Seattle Center infrastructure overhaul. The Daily Journal of Commerce reports the plan is headed toward a 2027 ballot measure, which could mean big changes to how we experience events around the Space Needle and Climate Pledge Arena, and possibly new taxes to pay for it. We watch closely, because this is our power bills, our parking, and our neighborhood festivals. Weather wise, we wake up to clouds and mild temps in the mid 50s, with clearing and sun breaks pushing us into the upper 60s by late afternoon. It is comfortable walking weather around Green Lake and along Alki. A light breeze off Elliott Bay may make it feel cooler on the waterfront. The weekend looks similar, with a gradual warm up and mostly dry skies for outdoor plans. In real estate, a recent Seattle housing market update from local broker Zach McDonald says the median home price in the city is now around one million dollars, up about four percent from this time last year. Many homes still sell 20 to 25 percent over asking. For those of us renting or trying to buy, that keeps pressure on budgets and commuting choices. On the cultural side, Flow Fest kicks off today. The Seattle Flow Arts Collective hosts a community fire jam tonight at Volunteer Park’s Dahlia Garden, then workshops and performances tomorrow and Sunday at Woodland Park near North 50th Street. Events are free, with optional paid workshops, and it is a chance for us to experience circus, dance, and light art after dark. For live music, School of Rock West Seattle brings a Motown and Stax showcase tonight at the Clock Out Lounge on Beacon Avenue South, an all ages show that highlights young local talent. In jobs, we continue to see steady hiring in tech and logistics, with many positions clustered around South Lake Union and the Duwamish industrial corridor, giving our region a bit of a buffer against broader national slowdowns. On schools, Seattle University is in final exam week, and their BFA Photography Exhibition is open today on campus, showcasing work from graduating students. Crime wise, aside from the Ballard fire response, Seattle Police report a few overnight car prowls in Capitol Hill and Belltown. We keep valuables out of sight and stay aware, especially on side streets off Pike and Pine. For a feel good note, neighbors in Rainier Beach come together this week to repaint a community mural near Rainier Avenue South, raising money for supplies and turning it into a block cleanup and barbecue, a reminder of how strong our neighborhood ties can be. Thank you for tuning in, and remember to subscribe so you never miss our local roundup. This has been Seattle Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai. For more http://www.quietplease.ai Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta