Latest Seattle waterfront plans unveiled

kingster said on October 28, 2011 at 5:14 PM

It's huge to everybody that enjoys the use of our taxes. It is at the heart of what the protests are about. The whole waterfront-viduct debacle is about a few people making a big score off taxpayers. The closing of state liquor control is about businesses making a killing. Protests are about people depending on the government, and others who don't want the governement to pay - they want the money for themselves. The protests are about the banks stealing peoples' money as much as wall street. In so many ways, businesses are out of control. It is not government out of control. It is greed out of control.

olddiver98121 said on October 28, 2011 at 1:29 PM

There is no question that there needs to be a comprehensive plan for what to do after the demise of the Viaduct. But did that plan truly require employing an out of area landscape architect? An architect devoid of local culture, local history, an understanding of our community and its needs? The mayor was correct in not attending last night’s presentation stateting that his interests are in the construction of the much needed sea wall. The questions that were allowed following the presentation involved what are we doing for the sightless in this visionary plan of future development? Will George Benson’s street car be revived and how did the concept of adding artificial fog to the landscape come about? The question that should have been asked was in these times of economic belt tightening and budget cuts, just how much is the current contract for the conceptual beautification of or waterfront?

Jake-518 said on October 28, 2011 at 12:59 PM

The mist seems like a ridiculous idea to me but I do think some of the ideas put out there seem nice.

alkinative said on October 28, 2011 at 10:42 AM

Note how the idyllic drawing shows almost no cars on Alaskan Way -- which is going to be WAY busier than it is now, once the three-lane Viaduct is replaced with a two-lane tunnel with no downtown exits. That's assuming the tunnel is ever completed -- I am still betting (hoping!) that they will run into so many problems and cost overruns when they try to dig through the glacial till and mudflat fill that they will end up just reinforcing/retrofitting the rest of the viaduct, thus preserving the most scenic drive in the city and the best alternative to I-5. They could still do a lot of park-like improvements along the waterfront, if the viaduct stays up. The only great views to be gained in either event would be from building out on a wharf, such as the greenspace in the forefront of the drawing -- otherwise you're just going to be getting the view from between the wharves, EXACTLY as you do NOW from the sidewalk along Alaskan Way.

sharon75 said on October 28, 2011 at 10:10 AM

Gates wanted to have income tax for the rich...have them get together to make some suggestions and pay for a substantial amount as a gift to the city. We could call it a seattle improvement tax for the rich. Why have more office space when the columbia building was half empty and couldn't make their mortgage payment on time. There are a lot of buildings downtown empty. McGone finally has it right, we do need to focus on the sea wall. It collapsed and someone fell into a big hole last year and was seriously hurt. But whatever you do please no more bike lanes. The nonbikers are paying way to much to subsidize the bike lanes. License the bicycles and use that money to improve bike lanes. Everyone needs to pay for the services and amenities they get.

rite2post said on October 28, 2011 at 10:10 AM

For those who complain about traffic and bad for business. Building lanes are not the solution. Metro area needs mass transit, such as, trains, buses, and light rails. Think outside the box or the car. Cars are not the future; bikes and mass transit are.

rlmiller007 said on October 28, 2011 at 9:34 AM

We should theme this as it was in the 1800's gold rush. Include some amusments/rides. This would make it a tourist destination like San Fransico's waterfront. The taxes alone will pay for the tunnel and seawall.

acejack33 said on October 28, 2011 at 9:16 AM

Seattleites want regression in the way of beauty, not progression. I say build a nice 8 lane tunnel, 4 lanes on each side, and a road on top lined with new office space to bring more jobs. Who cares about beauty, its about business and making your city flourish. But I guess when all these companies leave, boeing included, because all the highways and freeways are clogged, they will have their misters to wash away the misery. It mists everyday, take it from mother nature. Thats like building sun houses or indoor water parks in so. Cal, senseless

agarmy said on October 28, 2011 at 9:13 AM

Meh, it sounds good, but, this is Seattle. It will be run down in a few years, vandalized, the usual. Of course, before we even get to that point, this will end up being overbudget, and most likely waaaay behind schedule. At least if it is built, Seattle may have SOMEthing to bring in more tourism, aside from PPM.

whatsyurbeef said on October 28, 2011 at 6:09 AM

Wide stair cases with low tread risers to walk from downtown to water front, escalator or two for the people who may need them. Plenty of landscaping along the staircases with water features and plenty of lighting. When people approach the top of the staircase landings they should have a wide panoramic view of puget sound. The sooner it gets going the better. Create jobs for people who want to work and improve the area for future.

stonetrails said on October 28, 2011 at 5:55 AM

"From an artificial, misting cloud" - - - - I wonder how many children went to bed hungry in Seattle last night.

mr_conservative said on October 28, 2011 at 5:50 AM

Did anybody at KING pay attention in junior high English class? Un..."none of the ideas is final"

citzencane said on October 28, 2011 at 2:26 AM

More gradiose ideas and big plans,and not one dime to pay for it

queenanne said on October 27, 2011 at 11:13 PM

Yeah right. Where are they going to come up with the money for all of this? Oh yeah, tunnel tolls (already needed to pay for it, but I'm sure you'll all be glad to pay an extra few bucks for your waterfront promenade). You yahoos who voted for this tunnel are going to spend $10 a day to travel it forever (or suffer the packed city streets). Of course the misting cloud ought to be free. The whole place is under a misting cloud most of the time. Idiots.

tuleyo said on October 27, 2011 at 10:32 PM

I would like to see shipping facilities take up all the available space so we can ship all kinds of new ,"Made In America" products to the entire world.