Seattle’s waterfront is facing many changes. In the face of these changes, we’re asking you to tell us what you think. Use the comment form below to tell us in words or images (please limit comments to one image) what you’d like to see Seattle’s waterfront become.
December 8th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
….as a salmon i would like to see a stream for me to swim directly through the city to lake washington. this stream could meander through your city and neighborhoods and reinforce your green image while improving your property values. how about a festival every year celebrating our mutual inter-dependence?
October 27th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Check out AIA Seattle’s Waterfront Guiding Principles here: http://www.aiaseattle.org/sites/default/files/2009%20AIA%20Seattle%20Waterfront%20Guiding%20Principles%20FINAL.pdf
August 24th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
As an architect who is reading this blog, I pretty much see a lot of preaching to the choir about how great the waterfront can be with our input as designers. I think that is great, and enjoy the conversation, but we need to get out there to everyone else. Therefore, I wanted to chime in with what I feel is a bit of a reality check on what we are trying to accomplish as a city and state in order to accomplish what we want and are describing.
We cannot forget that this is a TRANSPORTATION issue! We will be utterly ignored as part of the solution if we just try to have a dialog about the waterfront and how great we as architects, landscape architects and planners can make it. While that may be true, our approach must be holistic. And to be heard, we must join the conversation which has already been going on for years about transportation and movement of people and goods. I believe that approaching it from this perspective is the only way we can truly be effective on this matter. So in that regard I really hope this can inspire some people to action.
I commute on the existing viaduct every day. I never thought that would be the case, and in fact I always prided myself on a short commute. Previously I used to walk to work, take the bus, and I even commuted by the Monorail for a few years! But life happens, and due to a series of events both personal and professional, I now commute on the Viaduct every day. Therefore I think I can offer a unique perspective on what this road means to a lot of people in our city and our region.
Here’s what I see every day. There are a lot of people who use the Viaduct to get to and from downtown, and from my observation the exits are where the congestion on the Viaduct occurs. As there are only a few exits and onramps, the traffic must converge, merge and slow at those point. In my opinion, that is what a good street solution can help resolve. Slow the traffic down with timed lights and give drivers many options to get to the part of downtown they need to get to, instead of just at each end. By incorporating and connecting the street grid in more places, you spread the traffic into downtown out and calm it down. Think of it this way – instead of 25 people needing to turn off at one point, you can get 5 people at 5 different turning points. Not to mention adding public transportation and bike lanes to add even more options.
The tunnel is necessary as a bypass for the rest of the transportation solution that wants to bypass downtown. Oh sure, I will lose my view, but if I want to see the waterfront, I really should go slower and maybe even get out and experience it, right? We can’t forget this part of the solution in my opinion. We must remember that this is a transportation issue.
I must admit that the Mayoral primaries surprised me. I think with Nichol’s we would have been able to continue making progress. But now that we know who the 2 candidates will be I really see that the tunnel issue is back to being threatened and could have some serious consequences. The progress that has been made with the State, the Port of Seattle and the City could be seriously threatened which could result in the ultimate Seattle result of reversing a previously well devised decision. I really fear this will happen now. That is why it is even more vital at this point to be involved with this process.
Back to what we as designers need to do to play a role in this.
As architect’s we are trained to see the “big picture.” Therefore, we will lose our value if we end up being perceived as “just those guys who want a pretty waterfront.” We have to become the ones that help everyone in our community see how a working, functioning waterfront will result in a beautiful one. That’s how we are successful as architects.
Recently the DJC wrote about and posted 2 YouTube videos that supposedly show us what the new tunnel and waterfront will look like. If you haven’t seen them you need to. (http://www.djc.com/news/bu/12008980.html?query=youtube&searchtype=) What I saw was a serious lack of vision and quality space being created. Just read through this AIA blog and you can see that this is not the dream we are envisioning. We need to let the rest of our community see this problem also!
Sure the animation put people and vehicles in it, but most of us could tell you that those people probably wouldn’t actually walk in many of the places they were shown. There would be no reason for them to be at those places. We must help imagine and assure that the reason for a person to be there is included in the planning of the streets. It’s not worth doing unless the transportation solution includes a people solution too. Not to mention I didn’t see bicyclists or any trolley system in the video – I was always under the impression they were to be included.
The city will lose an opportunity of many lifetimes if we don’t get involved now to help with these early decisions. As architects, and planners we have the ability to help the powers-that-be and the general public, visualize the critical connections, diversity of activities, and mobility of all kinds that should be mixed into this solution as a whole.
One of the things I love about Seattle’s waterfront is that it connects literally and figuratively the workings of our city with the culture of Seattle. Within this small stretch, one is able to see the humanity, history, industry, environmental beauty, art and everything in between. The connection between Calder’s “Eagle,” which is painted orange, is an amazing comparison and contraction to the cranes at the Port of Seattle that are also painted the same orange color is a strikingly beautify thing. They flank our City where everything in between the two is a mixture of rich history and all that makes a first class city. The waterfront that spans the distance between those two points should tell that story and help define what Seattle is – a first class city looking towards a sustainable future.
Not every city gets to have what we do – a major shoreline and views of mountain ranges. With that comes a keen sense on how our environment effects and benefits us all. As architects, planners, and landscape architects, let’s help everyone envision new cafes on the presently abandoned side of buildings, plaza’s for buskers to perform within, pedestrian connections to and from downtown, and play spaces for people of all ages.
August 14th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Mark Reddington FAIA, Co-Chair of the Viaduct Task Force, relaxes in front of the AIA Seattle storefront window in July.
August 11th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
I will presume most if not all comments on this page are coming from the same crowd – the design community – and of COURSE we want to transform the waterfront to fulfill its tremendous potential! No doubt most of us are trained in envisioning great places. For people. And where else in the entire region is there so much potential unfulfilled as the central waterfront? All of us know this.
So while yes, let’s talk about “what we want” here, and yes, the details will matter, the design community must stay on-task to a much more important question: how can landscape/architects, planners and designers lead the way in communicating the visions expressed here, to not only decision-makers but also the people those decision-makers (sometimes) listen to?
Are we now, or will we be, prepared to donate our skills and imagination to “tell the story” to help greater Seattle see what we see so plainly? To translate: get your colored pencils, markers, keyboards, rendering software and so on ready. But also consider how to do more than the usual graphics and imagery. We should be thinking about other mediums and ways of capturing the popular imagination.
Instead of describing stuff, things, buildings, seawalls, parks, paving, shops, on and on, what about trying to express experiences? Direct, personal, experiences that occur daily at Greenlake, Alki, Madison, Leschi, Carkeek, etc could also happen one day on the central waterfront. But only with popular support. And I really think the sales job will be up to “us”. If not, who?
August 6th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Last year, in an environmental design class, other students and myself were challenged with envisioning a new waterfront. Proposals focused around a mixed-use space that encouraged third place community gathering of many demographics (i.e. a skate park next to an outdoor cafe area) that would facilitate citizen interaction, dialog, and the self-regulation of a diverse group. Most students worked city runoff water filtration into their designs, and some proposed connecting the Pike Market to the pier areas with beautiful, architectural bridges. Loitering areas with experiential spaces could be tailored to encourage positive interaction between strangers and thus develop community connections and personal connections between neighbors, or make connections between people who would not typically interact and thus encourage dialog and positive feelings toward differences in opinions and views (i.e. two tourists from different places with very different cultures). Also, practical use areas were added to encourage more locals to use the space (instead of it being primarily a tourist destination) such as having elements like a dog park, and a small library branch and more local busses running down the hill to the waterfront than just the 99. In my own proposal I used elements that interact with weather and water conditions to further integrate the space and peoples experience with the natural environment.
I would LOVE to be a continuing part of the development for ideas for the Seattle waterfront. What else can we do?
August 4th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
One specific example of something wonderful is the ferry terminal and waterfront park in Bremerton. Another is the tide sculpture in Port Townsend. Our aquarium should be world class.
Generally things that are for the use of people living here, yet are also welcoming and fun for tourists.
A terraced park, stairs, overpass from the waterfront to the Market area would be lovely. Perhaps something connecting with Steinbrenner Park after the viaduct is gone.
Also, let’s bring back the waterfront concerts on the pier. Bring back the trolley, create bike lanes in each direction & widen the sidewalks.
July 23rd, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Unlike most cities, the waterfront of Seattle’s downtown area extends from, and is inclusive to, a busy port operation to the south, and ship loading facilities to the north, anchoring our City’s maritime edge, with piers between that define the contours along Elliot Bay, layered by pedestrian-ways and road-ways, reaching back to the hillside, peppered with various housing, commercial and retail enterprises – all with an expansive view west to the majestic Olympic Mountain range.
Our City’s waterfront has become this elaborate mix, and should remain so, but with a greater emphasis on the pedestrian, and a de-emphasis on land-hogging motor vehicles – with care, and vision continued support must be provided our railway and maritime industry so they remain vital. The scale of buildings, from the foot of the hillside to the west, should remain low, keeping the land mostly open to the sky.
Partially bury Highway 99, and keep a raised pathway, for pedestrians, to allow for the magnificent views across Puget Sound, and link more openly our connections to Pike Place Market, and all street ends to the north and south. Broaden the landscape for use by people, and promote small business to serve Seattlelites throughout the year, and provide for our growing population of tourists.
July 23rd, 2009 at 3:30 pm
One of the biggest problems with the current situation is the noise generated from the viaduct traffic. As you walk along the waterfront it is very hard to carry on a conversation in a normal tone of voice, or to hear the sea birds or the water lapping against the shore. Just to eliminate so much background noise will an enormous improvement.
July 20th, 2009 at 9:31 am
In Boston, along the Charles River, there is a grassy, tree-lined parkway, with bicycle paths, boat house for sailing, outdoor concert space, public swimming pool, pedestrian bridges to decorative park space – all of which goes on for miles. One can walk along the River from one end of town to the other. People stroll, ride their bikes, roller blade, sunbathe, skateboard, and so on. There are no cars. Commercial activity is limited to vendor carts (ice cream, hot dogs, balloons.) It is a very popular and well-patrolled public park kept clean and manicured by municipal service workers – in other words, people don’t go there to shoot up, trash gets removed, lawns get mowed.
I’d like Seattle’s waterfront to be a pedestrian-accessible park along similar lines, with public art, interesting landscaping, fountains, decorative tiles, benches, chess tables, picnic tables, public restrooms (!), and a way to connect downtown neighborhoods for pedestrians.
July 16th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Think of two words: Embarcadero Freeway. I lived in San Francisco while the ugly Embarcadero was still standing, and I have visited since it was torn down. The difference is amazing. People actually VISIT the waterfront now ! Imagine that.
We need to tear down the viaduct immediately, if not sooner. Less highways, more pubs !
Cheers,
Mike
July 15th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
I want our waterfront to be like no other. It will be authentic to this place, designed for the way Seattle lives. It will provide clear connections to our vibrant downtown and ample opportunities to touch the water and get out on the water. It shall celebrate our seasons, with opportunities for events and celebrations year round. And finally it will clearly demonstrate that we care deeply about the health of Puget Sound.
What I don’t want our waterfront to be is someone’s interpretation of what visitors to Seattle expect it to be.
July 14th, 2009 at 11:05 am
The development of Seattle’s waterfront is an opportunity only available once a century. In the 1800s it was a centre of industry. In the 1900s it was given over to car traffic and car parking. In the 2000s, it has the ability to be the heart and soul of the city.
Seattle’s position on Elliot Bay, overlooked by the Olympic and Cascade mountains, defines the city. The waterfront – with its oustanding views – therefore captures the essence of the city. The waterfront should be a place for people to enjoy this essence. The waterfront should be a place for people:
People gathering.
People celebrating.
People shopping.
People playing.
People eating.
People strolling.
People swimming.
People working.
The waterfront has been abandoned to the car too long. We must ensure that we do not squander this opportunity by continuing the status quo. The potential is far too great.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
I think it would be great if Seattle would take advantage of one of it’s many natural treasures and create a better waterfront. Various other cities have realized that their waterfront is a critical resource that needs to be reclaimed and preserved. Let’s bring our city to the level the natural beauty is around it.
July 13th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
The Central Waterfront in contrast to the wonderful variety of waterfront we have in Seattle, should be an urban quality environment, celebrating the position of this threshold connecting Elliott Bay to downtown Seattle. This environment should be predominately supportive of pedestrian circulation, along with bicycles, public transit and local accessible vehicular traffic. It is critical that the vehicular traffic not set the standard for the quality of this urban waterfront.
Connections to the waterfront from downtown are an important part of the concept for the waterfront. These include two aspects: One, improvements to east west streets from downtown to Elliott Bay and significant improvements to the connection from Steinbrueck Park and the Market down to the waterfront in the vicinity of the aquarium, essentially following the alignment of the viaduct. Two, improvements to properties which for generations have turned their back on the waterfront, the railroad and the viaduct, and new development on vacant sites such as the parking lot at the west end of University. Improvements and development of properties in this area will provide a rich variety of commercial, living and working to attract a diverse, urban population including residents and visitors.
The design of a pedestrian promenade and associated open space should have an element of continuity and variety. The variety of east west connections should influence a rich design as some have described as a string of pearls. The shoreline will continue to be highly structured in portions, retaining historic piers, but in selected areas a more natural shoreline may be achieved and where possible the built structure may be separated from the seawall by bridges to support fish migration.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
We now have a once in a lifetime opportunity to recapture recreational waterfront in a major metropolitan city – our Seattle Waterfront.
I would envision this area to be an expansive park with trees, greenway, social amenities, amphitheater, parking, music pavilion, arts center, and mixed low storied commercial.
As an example I point to (1) Chicago and Chicago Lakefront park, (2) New York’s Central Park, and (3) San Francisco Ghirardelli Square.
July 6th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
We have an incredible opportunity to make the waterfront a destination, not an eyesore. Seattle could be at the forefront of smart, sustainable urban design if we think how the water’s edge can be recreated to interact and educate the public. (pic: Malmo, Sweden)
July 6th, 2009 at 10:09 am
The waterfront should be a place to gather, for lively fun or quiet contemplation. The current viaduct noise hinders conversation and outdoor enjoyment. I look forward to the day when the waterfront is dedicated to peoples’ experiences, not cars.