25 Feb Could we be getting a new waterfront sooner than we think?

The above image is a rendering of one of the eight viaduct/central waterfront scenarios released by WSDOT in 2008

There was an article in the DJC regarding waterfront plans last Friday that discusses the city’s desire to speed up the process of redesigning the waterfront.

“If all goes as planned [they] could issues an RFQ for design work this spring and hire a team in the fall.”

Seattle Planning Director Marshall Foster said that “the waterfront design needs to happen more quickly because of McGinn’s effort to put a $241 million property tax measure on the May ballot to fund a seawall replacement.”

In regards to the seawall design, the city is asking for three approaches to create a shoreline system that balances public safety and stability, public access, and nearshore ecology. The city would like to see the following:

1. A traditional approach
2. A “soft” approach (like the Olympic Sculpture Park)
3. A combination of traditional + soft

There are four community meetings coming up next month where members of the Committee for Central Waterfront Partnerships, and city staff will talk more about the following:

• What makes Seattle’s waterfront unique?
• What tools will we need to create a great central waterfront?
• How will we keep it active and inviting for generations to come?
• How can public and private partners wisely set the stage for future success?

For more information, here is a link to DPD’s Central Waterfront site.

Miller Community Center
330 19th Ave E
Thursday, March 4, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Northgate Community Center
10510 5th Ave NE
Saturday, March 6, 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.

High Point Community Center
6920 34th Ave SW
Saturday, March 13, 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.

Van Asselt Community Center
2820 South Myrtle Street
Saturday, March 20, 2:30 –4:00 p.m.