The notion of fully capping I-5 as it runs through central Seattle has been gaining steam. The city could stand to gain hundreds of acres of urban land.
An ambitious idea is gaining traction in Seattle, following in the footsteps of the city's waterfront remake. With the Lid I-5 campaign in the lead, advocates are exploring what it would take to fully lid I-5. "During construction in the early to mid 1960s," Knute Berger writes, "it had destroyed some 6,000 homes, slashed through the International District as it cut a concrete canyon through the heart of the city."
But times have changed. Recently, "a city grant has helped come up with concepts for how the new 'land' of a lid — a concrete cover to I-5 strong enough to hold buildings, parks, roads and people — could be used."
I-5 is already partially lidded in several places, like Freeway Park and the Washington State Convention Center. "As part of the package to expand the Washington State Convention Center, $1.5 million has been allocated to the city for an upcoming study of the feasibility of lidding which will be undertaken in 2019."
The project is bound to be expensive, complex, and will likely take many years to complete. But given downtown land prices, Berger writes, much of the cost "could well pencil out." In the meantime, the idea has sparked lively discussion about what might be done with all that new land, and a more cohesive downtown.
See also: A Closer Look at the Ambitious Plans to Cap I-5 in Downtown Seattle
FULL STORY: How capping I-5 could redeem Seattle’s past
Seattle Releases RFP for Lid I-5 Study
The plan to top I-5 in Seattle with a cap park—what writer Natalie Bicknell calls "the most ambitious effort in our region"—is moving ahead with a $1.5 million feasibility study.
I-5 Freeway Lid Plans Take Step Forward
A plan to build a cap over Interstate 5 in Downtown Seattle has taken a small but significant step forward.
New Marketing Campaign: Pushing People to Drive More in Seattle
Now that Seattle has proven they don't need the new Highway 99 tunnel that will replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct, will enough people use it in the future to cover the costs of construction, operation, and maintenance?
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie