Seattle Design Commission -- Workshops

What We Do: In Depth

Workshops
The Design Commission convenes workshops to foster the discussion of design issues and develop design guidelines for projects that have a citywide impact. Often, the Commission is asked to participate by project proponents or city officials.

Mapes Creek Walkway Workshop (Jun 2009)
Mapes Creek Workshop

How to improve the two-block Mapes Creek Walkway between Rainier Ave S. and S. Henderson St. in Rainier Beach? The walkway, largely unimproved, is heavily used by high school students and grocery shoppers, and leads to the commercial core as well as the Rainier Beach light rail station a quarter mile to the west. The Design Commission led numerous parties to develop three design concepts, all which addressed the walkway's most pressing problems: steep slopes, poorly draining swales, crime, unsuitable plantings, litter, and maintenance headaches.

Workshop contributors:

Southeast Effective Development
SDOT
SPU
Parks and Recreation
Seattle Design Commission
Lake Washington Apartments
Rainer Beach residents

Results:

developed three concept designs:
- narrow pathway area
- move path to east
- lower pathway

Download the Mapes Creek Walkway Recommendations.

Public Safety Building Site Workshop (Sep 2006)

How should the public spaces of the former Public Safety Building site, located next to the City's civic campus, be designed? The Design Commission led numerous parties to define the design parameters for the site, guided by its belief that the public/private partnership capitalize on the site's unique civic design potential.

Workshop contributors:

Mayor's Office
Seattle City Council
Department of Fleets and Facilities
Department of Planning and Development
Seattle Planning Commission
Seattle Design Commission
Staubach RE Consultants

Results:

developed recommedations for the site's design in these 4 areas:
- size/configuration
- context and adjacent uses
- programming
- character of public spaces

Download the Public Safety Building Workshop Report.

Alaskan Way Surface Design Workshops (Mar-May 2005)

What criteria should guide the design of the surface of the new Alaskan Way, waterfront promenade, and lid? The Design Commission held three workshops in early 2005 to examine the urban design implications of replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct and the Seawall with a tunnel, the City and State’s preferred alternative. The Design Commission provided direction on key design issues including the future surface street alignment, the redevelopment of Colman Dock, the future of Piers 62/63, and the configuration of a “lid” structure over the tunnel leading up to Pike Place Market.

Workshop contributors: