On Thursday March 2, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels hosts a Viaduct Open House, 5-7pm at Seattle Aquarium (Pier 59). On Saturday March 18, the focus continues with a tour of the Viaduct.
Readers of Seattle's daily newspapers may have seen highlighted articles in both papers on March 1, on actions in the Washington legislature affecting the options for the Seattle viaduct, cited below.
* Seattle P-I 3/1/06: "City could lose tunnel option for Viaduct"
* The Seattle Times 3/1/06: "Surprise move may bury tunnel"
With the legislative session winding down to adjournment 3/9 and the 3/3 deadline for billls to clear, those with expertise and passion on this issue can have an effect by contacting their legislators TODAY about HB 2871, sponsored by Reps. Ed Murray (Chair of the House Transportation Committee), Mary Lou Dickerson, Sherry Appleton, and Geoff Simpson.
AIA Washington Council President Peter David Greaves AIA and Executive Director Stan Bowman advise that the Council has carefully followed this bill through its complicated process, but has not given it high priority for Council action. You can review the Council's bill tracking by clicking HERE.
The Seattle Viaduct will figure in an AIA national Conference on Urban Sustainability, planned for mid-September here. Planners of the Conference urge those with urban design interests to stay informed and engaged, as urban design issues on this and other Puget Sound waterfronts take on increasing importance – and focus in AIA150 activities.
Thank you for your attention to opportunities for public engagement based on design expertise.
References:
* Clark Manus FAIA in AIA|J March 06: 'The Rebirth of the Embarcadero'
* Joel Connelly in Seattle P-I 3/3/06: 'Bury Nickel's vision of the 'Big Dig' in Seattle'
* AIA Seattle Urban Design Committee re the Viaduct 03/2002
