On Monday, the Seattle City Council unanimously approved a long-term plan to renovate Seattle Center. The new plan, which was conceived over two years by the 17-person Century 21 Committee, includes a good deal of open park space, seasonal outdoor play areas like a summer splash pool and winter skating rink, as well as upgrades for existing facilities. The Center House will be completely renovated, and given a glass roof and walls to help visually integrate it with the surrounding environment. More than 10 acres will be converted to lawn space and amphitheaters for gatherings and performances. And the plan also emphasizes improving the pedestrian connections to other neighborhoods, as well as investing in improved public transit routes to get people to and from the center.
The cost of the 20-year plan – estimated at $567 million -- will be supported by a mix of public and private funding. According to this article by Amy Rolph at the P-I, it's still uncertain whether voters will be asked to approve a Seattle Center improvements levy in the fall, or whether private funding will be able to cover the majority of costs.
The costs for a new Seattle Center are high, but committing to an attractive, revitalized central public space is a solid investment in our quickly growing city. (Read our latest feature story on improved and walkable public spaces here.)
What do you think of the plan, and where else do you see great opportunity for improvement in public space? Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment!
Image credits: Seattle Center Century 21
