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.

Mark Reddington FAIA, Co-Chair of the Viaduct Task Force, relaxes in front of the AIA Seattle storefront window in July.

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?

I would LOVE to be a continuing part of the development for ideas for the Seattle waterfront. What else can we do?

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.

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.