1. 

   Bryan Fiedorczyk
   August 8th, 2010 - 16:50

   Hi Katie,

   I’ve been interested in this topic for some time. I actually worked on the visual resource section for an environmental assessment of the seawall replacement project for the Corps about 4 or 5 years ago.

   What I’d like to see is an integrated waterfront that maintains much of the current maritime activities along piers and preserves the historical structures, but is much more tied into downtown. Some ideas of my vision include:

   A waterfront boulevard (perhaps divided) interspersed with public art, plazas and green space – along the lines of Lakeshore Drive in Chicago.

   Infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists to be able to easily access the waterfront (boulevard over/under passes, etc.)

   A complete separated waterfront recreational trail with higher than current capacity to encourage residents/visitors to travel to the waterfront by foot or bike from nearby Seattle neighborhoods.

   Pedestrian corridors with green infrastructure and open space along perpendicular streets (like University or Seneca) that invite people to the waterfront from downtown and also acts to naturally filter/treat stormwater from downtown streets (before entering the Sound)

   Local cultural events regularly scheduled in the plazas/green space (art walks, live music, food competitions, sporting events, etc.) to create an attractive active space that draws residents and tourists to be interactively involved in the waterfront.

   I think most of these are pretty obvious, but I appreciate the venue to share my opinions again – and hopefully others share at least some elements of my vision!

   Bryan

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2. 

   Stephanie
   August 9th, 2010 - 19:05

   Hi Katie –

   You asked, “Sustainably, what should its function really be?”

   Because it is a waterfront area, all the changes will have a critical ecological effect on sealife and marine life. While this is not something I know a lot about, I would be interested in finding out how the many proposals intend to mitigate the negative effects that construction has on marine life, while increasing the available habitat and creating a positive environment that allows space and environment for important marine life to flourish.

   Sustainably speaking, aside from the obvious (locally sourcing sustainable materials, sustainable on-site waste practices, etc), I would say a major ‘function’ should be to have a positive impact on the sea part of the seawall, leaving behind a better ecological environment than even currently exists.

   A good example of this is the Vancouver Convention Center habitat skirt. Since it’s completion, over 90 species have made homes on the skirt, of increasing diversity, and continue to exceed expectations. To me, this signals a functional sustainable component.

   Steph

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3. 

   Katie
   August 12th, 2010 - 12:29

   Hi Bryan and Steph,

   Thank you both for your thoughtful ideas! Bryan, I agree that most of the things you’d like to see on the waterfront are pretty obvious when they’re all in a nice list like yours. But it really helps to vocalize these ideas in one place. For example, I hadn’t really thought about the potential for both a separate recreational trail and a boulevard. The image conjured by your suggestions is a really pleasant one…. it’s something that would certainly draw me to the waterfront more often.

   Stephanie – We likely won’t know anything about the proposals until the Sept. 15 meeting where finalists (probably 3 out of the 30 urban design proposals) are presented to the public. I know that the environmental aspect of the waterfront is going to be an important point. But ultimately, this responsibility rests more in the seawall contract, already awarded to TetraTech (though the whole point of doing this waterfront work now is to give the waterfront team time to interact with the seawall team). I’d suggest you attend the meeting and voice your concerns as the idea of not just doing the minimum but actually improving the environmental aspects of the waterline (like your example) is really valid. Hope to see you there!

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4. 

   Matti
   August 14th, 2010 - 22:52

   The reason why cities such as Rhodes in Greece or Alanya in Turkey, or Nice in France or hundreds of more in Europe and on other continents, have great waterfronts is because they actually have residents living right there.

   So the solution for Seattle is new residential development mixed with pocket urban parks. If we want the new waterfront to be energetic and busy, we need to bring more residents Downtown. At the moment there’s just not enough density there to support a mile+ long park along the water with some tourist attractions. What about months outside the summer when there’s less tourists ? Who’s going to use the park ? People go to park for one reason: other people – be it for safety reasons or good’ol people watching.

   Residents is what makes great parks, not the size and we need more of them by the water. Get a mix of condos, apartments (~33% affordable) and some hotels. And then build pocket parks and bring bike lanes and transit. Voila, simple as that – everybody wins.

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