Tag Archive for 'waterfront'

Walking the new waterfront with Sally Bagshaw

Many people who support walkability are opposed to the Alaskan Way deep bore tunnel, but there’s no question that removing the viaduct presents an opportunity to transform the waterfront. Sally Bagshaw shares her vision for the waterfront:

I can just taste what our Waterfront will become. Imagine walking with me – or your best friend – just a few short years from now, from Safeco Field up to the Olympic Sculpture Park. Satisfied with another Mariner’s victory…

Her post includes conceptual renderings of the waterfront and imagines what the waterfront could become for walkers. Grab your walking shoes and rose-tinted sunglasses and take a stroll to the future.

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West Thomas overpass construction to start in March

Work will begin in March to connect Lower Queen Anne with the Myrtle Edwards Park via a pedestrian and cyclist bridge over Elliott Ave and the railroad tracks. From Seattle Likes Bikes:

After years of work (and fears the project had stalled for good), SDOT has announced that it has the funding to move forward with a bicycle and pedestrian overpass connecting Lower Queen Anne and Myrtle Edwards Park. The bridge will be built in the middle of a 1.2 mile stretch where the park and the neighborhood currently have no crossings. The project will make the park and the Elliott Bay Trail much more usable for both recreation and transportation.

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Pedestrian hit by train

A train hit a pedestrian near the waterfront near midnight last night. A train was blocking the intersection of Elliott Ave Alaskan Way and Clay St and a 34-year-old man was struck by another train after crossing underneath the first.

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City selects lead waterfront designer

In a project that will impact our city’s waterfront and the pedestrian experience for generations to come, the city has selected its lead waterfront designer. There is some good coverage of this announcement at Publicola and Seattle Transit Blog.

Public reaction to the selection seems to be somewhat mixed. It sounds like there will be limited private development allowed, if any. Councilmember Sally Bagshaw says “I’ve heard many people ask, ‘Are you going to allow giant condominiums and hotels along the waterfront?’ The answer is, no.” There is some concern that this lack of development may result in a linear park that isn’t well used.

This editorial praises the city’s selection.

Hopefully the the right choice was made and we will see a waterfront that serves as a good public space and pedestrian environment, with the right balance of public space and private development.

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