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Waterfront design workshops at Town Hall Seattle

A conceptual rendering of the view looking at Elliott Bay and Pier 62/63 from the proposed Overlook Fold, which would help reconnect the waterfront to downtown and the Pike Place Market.
Courtesy james corner field operations and City of Seattle
A conceptual rendering of the view looking at Elliott Bay and Pier 62/63 from the proposed Overlook Fold, which would help reconnect the waterfront to downtown and the Pike Place Market.

Should the Pike Place Market be connected to Elliot Bay with new walkways?

That’s one of many expensive questions on the minds of landscape designers in charge of rebuilding Seattle’s waterfront.

In less than a week, the city will once again convene stakeholders and the public for help shaping the future of the city’s  “front door” on Puget Sound.

The group Waterfront Seattle is calling on the public to join in discussions that will help determine what the new waterfront will look like, after the Alaskan Way Viaduct comes down.

A year ago, several big workshops with landscape designer James Corner took place in a big auditorium at Port of Seattle headquarters.

Small, thematic workshops

Next week, a  series of less-formal talks continues at Town Hall.

  • The first is on the environment: how the new waterfront can help restore the natural ecology of Elliott Bay.  
  • The second is called Setting the Stage and focuses on creating vibrant spaces for arts and culture.
  • The third is on uniqueness: how to make the rich history of the Seattle waterfront part of the new design.

There’s no funding to speak of yet for these ideas. But some observers are comparing the excitement about the planning process to the futuristic spirit of fifty years ago, just before the 1962 world’s fair.
A committee is crafting a strategic plan for the waterfront that they’ll deliver to the city council and Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, in June.

Bellamy Pailthorp covers the environment for KNKX with an emphasis on climate justice, human health and food sovereignty. She enjoys reporting about how we will power our future while maintaining healthy cultures and livable cities. Story tips can be sent to bpailthorp@knkx.org.