|
The Seattle Center Century 21 Master Plan was launched in November 2006 with the appointment of a 17-member citizens committee, aptly named Century 21 Committee in homage to the 1962 Seattle World's Fair.
The committee, appointed by Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, heard from Seattle citizens, community organizations, Seattle Center employees and resident organizations, commissions and elected officials in over 60 meetings.
They heard calls for more open space, more programs for young adults and children, more for the growing residential and employment populations neighboring Seattle Center, and more amenities that will make the Center a place to visit everyday in many ways.
Through it all, the committee worked to make Seattle Center whole - to unify the physical space and the Center's purpose as an arts, recreational and civic center at the core of our community. As they assessed various design alternatives, the C21 Committee members developed specific planning and design principles to guide the development of the Seattle Center Master Plan:
- The mission of Seattle Center is sound and the future is bright.
- The campus should be designed to draw people into the center of the grounds.
- Open spaces should be increased, preserved and accessible to all.
- The Center should be a leader in sustainable design and operations.
- Entrances and visual connections into and through the campus should be legible.
- A mix of activities and amenities should be inviting to the diversity of Seattle Center users.
- Pedestrian friendly planning should unify the campus.
- New design should emphasize flexibility, vibrancy, legibility and artistic expression.
- Transportation planning must be a central element.
- Future development should build on the tradition of being a good neighbor.
The committee compiled all these ideas into a Master Plan unveiled in a series of public meetings in March - a bold and fully integrated plan in terms of opening the campus from its center to its perimeters, architecturally unifying old and new spaces, and uniting the physical and programmatic elements that make Seattle Center one of the nation's best gathering places.
The proposed Master Plan then went to the Seattle City Council. The Parks and Seattle Center Committee, led by Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, further refined the plan and presented a final version to the full council; and on August 18, the Seattle Center Century 21 Master Plan was adopted by unanimous vote.
The $570 million, 20-year plan calls for substantial, long-term investment in Seattle Center. It allows for an innovative mix of commercial and community spaces, as well as improved opportunities for retail and dining amenities. The plan will be supported, as redevelopment has in the past, by a mix of private and public funding.
|
