Seattle Times, Seattle envisions new Civic Square:
In the latest design proposal, a curved tower of 22 stories of office space would rise on the Cherry Street side of the block and narrow into 17 stories of 155 condos. Lower stories would be used for retail.
The block they’re talking about is at 3rd and Cherry.
Bonus link: Nickels vs Steinbrueck over at Cosmo blog.
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1 Mark W // Dec 12, 2007 at 9:01 pm
On the one hand I like the idea of gov officials thinking of new ways to raise the money they need to pay for things. But with all the new development and plans for population growth in the downtown area, I don’t think it’s asking too much to add just one block of open space downtown – especially if this to be a Civic Plaza and not merely a bit of greenery. After all, they’re not likely to get another completely open downtown block any time soon.
2 seattle67 // Dec 13, 2007 at 8:46 am
The ‘Sustainability Cafe’ concept they have planned for the west side of the project is interesting. My understanding of ‘sustainability’ as far as restaurants go is that they focus on serving only locally sourced downtown ingredients – does this mean we can all look forward to Seattle’s first pigeon and rat tapas bar?
3 mhays // Dec 13, 2007 at 9:04 am
Though I’m a huge supporter of more Downtown Seattle parks, and even a former Seattle Commons volunteer then staffer, I prefer this project to a full-block park. A sizeable green park is just a block south right now. Either way, the biggest need that part of Downtown is market rate housing to help balance the current office and housing feel.
My guess is the plaza will get good use because it’ll make a great pass-through for pedestrians, it’ll have people overlooking it 24/7 from the offices and housing (the crucial “eyes on the street”), it has some retail, and it’s a key transit location.
(disclosure… I work for a general contractor.)
On the topic of mixed-use next to public plazas, I have similar hopes about the proposed barn/office/housing project proposed next to Occidental Park. The building will raise the activity level, bring eyes on the park, and stabilize the area.
4 happy renter // Dec 13, 2007 at 9:14 am
i wish it was slated to be a taller building, but i still love the design. Build it!
5 Dan C. // Dec 13, 2007 at 10:54 am
This may sound rather callous, but what has that parked turned into a few blocks away? A hang out for crackheads and a sleeping area for homeless people.
They can make the park as nice as they want…but will people actually go there…probably not.
6 mhays // Dec 13, 2007 at 12:21 pm
If so, that would reduce the number of street people at the other park.
Our parks have too many street people because we don’t have enough parks. Add some acres and you dilute the street people, making the parks more hospitable for others.
More low-income housing and a couple day centers wouldn’t hurt either.
7 marksparky // Dec 13, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Mmmmm….another lovely wind tunnel to catch the sea breezes and turn them into gales at ground level.
8 boston movers // Jun 3, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Great sketching..
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