Public Seating Pilot Program
Program Overview
As reccomended in the Pedestiran Master Plan, the Seattle Department of Transportation is conducting a Public Seating Pilot Study to better understand community preferences, furnishing durability, and overall performance in the public realm to inform the long-term feasibility of a City public seating program.
Program Objectives:
The goal of the Public Seating Pilot Study is to foster a more inviting and comfortable walking and transit experience to meet overarching transportation goals. Specifically,
- Provide resting opportunities at a predictable frequency and locations so all walking journeys can be reliably supported.
- Provide universally accessible seating solutions that people of all ages and abilities can comfortably use.
- Foster positive public life and social interaction through strategic placement and design of seating.
- Promote a city identity through a design solution which is coordinated with other city street furniture.
- Support the economy by creating a welcoming public realm
What’s Happening Now?
- This pilot will be installed at various downtown locations, including nine seats in the Westlake area, eight benches in Pioneer Square, three benches in the Chinatown International District, as well as two benches and a seating structure at the 1st & Battery Portal Porch.
- Pilot Goals
- Confirm seating design and location criteria to meet program goals
- Identify maintenance needs by monitoring the pilot phase installation
- Evaluate design solutions to refine and finalize standards
- Evaluate public support for wider roll out
- Once installed, we will evaluate the pilot a combination of methods such as,
- public life observations
- tracking maintenance needs and concerns
- online survey
- conversations with adjacent businesses
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