From the Seattle Times:

To encourage people to drive less this summer, Seattle will close three streets to cars for several hours on three Sundays in Alki, Capitol Hill and Rainier Valley.

“Just for one day, just chill,” Mayor Greg Nickels said at a news conference today, encouraging people to bicycle, walk, jump rope and create chalk art instead.

Sunday, Aug. 31, 3 to 6 p.m. in Rainier Valley. Rainier Avenue South will close for three hours between South Orcas and South Alaska streets. Buses will use detour routes. Cars will be restricted on South Conover Way, part of 38th Avenue South and South Alaska Street between Genesee Park and Columbia City.

With as much gentrification as there is between South Orcas and South Alaska, a better idea would be to open the long strip of road between RB and Graham. Now that would be an interesting block party