Want to get involved with AIA Seattle’s efforts on the Viaduct? The AIA Seattle Viaduct Task Force meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 8AM at AIA Seattle, 1911 First Avenue. Contact Stephanie Pure at (206) 448-4938 ext. 103 for information.

CHAIRS
Mark Reddington FAIA 206-682-3460
Bradley Khouri AIA 206-297-1284

STAFF
Stephanie Pure 206-448-4938 x103

AIA SEATTLE POSITION
February 17, 2009
With the January 13th announcement and agreement by key state, county and local elected leaders of a replacement plan for SR-99 Alaskan Way Viaduct, AIA Seattle is greatly encouraged by the progress that has been made in reaching a broad consensus toward a more holistic solution that integrates land use with urban mobility strategies to reduce our auto dependency. As part of the hybrid solution combining surface street and transit improvements with a deep bore tunnel, AIA Seattle supports the continued study and possible development of a deep bore four-lane bypass tunnel though downtown, provided that further analysis demonstrates convincingly that it be proved be cost-effective, environmentally responsible, and necessary to advancing regional mobility for the long term.

AIA Seattle urges continued adherence to the Guiding Principles agreed to by the three governmental partners, WSDOT, SDOT and King County, that puts public safety as the highest goal, and mobility over car capacity as crucial to the success of this project and achieving the civic vision for reclaiming Seattle’s central waterfront.
The AIA Seattle Viaduct Task Force analyzed all of the scenarios developed by WSDOT through the Stakeholder Process and, in particular, those identified by our membership survey as most favored. AIA Seattle’s Board of Directors and membership strongly oppose any elevated solution for replacing the Viaduct. To accommodate future growth, advance mobility through the downtown corridor and reclaim the central waterfront for broader public benefit, AIA Seattle supports as a high priority public investment in the following “Building Blocks” of a surface transit/bypass tunnel hybrid solution:
• I-5 Managed and HOV lanes
• Peak hour traffic revisions of Seattle’s city streets
• Regional Bus Rapid Transit Network
• Alaskan Way and First Avenue Streetcars
• Increased downtown neighborhood peak transit service

The environmental stewardship of our region, including the Governor’s Green Jobs and Climate Action legislative package and the City of Seattle's Climate Action Plan, call for measures that address global climate change and sustain the environment by protecting natural habitats, reducing driving, and making cities more livable. Most importantly, the current consensus plan avoids the construction of a new highway on the waterfront and offers the best opportunity to date to realize the following broad goals:
• Reduce dependency on automobiles for the transportation of people and goods
• Foster compact growth by creating public open space that urban density requires
• Restore near shore habitat and improve the health of the Puget Sound ecosystem

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to re-think how our region integrates the movement of people and goods and restore a sense of place and connectedness to Seattle’s central waterfront. We are grateful for the Governor Gregoire’s, Mayor Nickels’, and County executive Ron Sims’ firm commitment to a holistic solution that combines improvements to city streets, the waterfront and transit with a four-lane bored tunnel. AIA Seattle urges the three executives to hold fast to their pledge made on January 13, 2009 and seek legislative approval and new funding sources for the entire project. The time to act is now.

LINKS
Developing a Central Waterfront Solution
Alaskan Way Viaduct Guiding Principles
Alaskan Way Viaduct Public Meetings
Stakeholder Advisory Committee Meeting Materials