Rebuilding the Waterfront

The Seattle P-I has posted an update of the process of planning the “new” waterfront to emerge when the viaduct is removed. This process will bear careful watching, not least because McGinn has demonstrated no interest in streetcars or rail transit upgrades- and how else are people supposed to get to the waterfront?

This is one of Seattle’s (literally) dirty little secrets- apparently it is assumed that because there is parking under the viaduct, and who goes there anyway?, that no real bus service is necessary for the waterfront. Nine acres of public space won’t go very far in providing parking and roads to substitute for real transit.

Don’t imagine someone is watching the store. The architects will produce their usual grandstanding idiocy, and it will be up to the public to get the train back on track. Stay alert for pubic meetings where you can raise the obvious questions.