Let’s step back a half dozen years……planning for the replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct…..might it be possible to integrate an elevated roadway into Seattle’s
waterfront
Visualize the ViaductMarch 22 Workshop
Kevin Peterson
University Street View Corridor
At Fourth AvenueAt Third AvenueAt Second Avenue
Pioneer Square Area
Celebrate and tie together the Aquarium and Pike Place Market. Make the resultant fusion of Seattle and Elliott Bay one of the most exciting urban contexts on this earth.
Respect the retail core’s perception of proximity to the waterfront. This linkage is now perceived as possible when the viaduct is removed. Inform this perception with strong pedestrian connections advantaging the view platform of an elevated park to associate the waterfront with the retail core.
Make the ferry terminal a world class transportation hub – a great place to step ashore into the urban core. Landscaped rooftop parks where people watch ferries, waters, urban context views is a wonderful way to celebrate Seattle’s relationship with Puget Sound. Consider extruding buildings east west to fuse the city fabric with the waterfront.
Historic Pioneer Square needs to rebind with the waterfront. This is best if the ground level is a rich historic setting. Let the solution speak to a time when Seattle was a walkable city just a couple steps from an active waterfront.
Industrial and sports areas to the south are poised to become a great area to live. This now awkward city edge can be an upscale and contemporary place to live - bringing people to the waterfront whose financial contribution helps sustain waterfront businesses, civic spaces and future generations.