Last week, landscape architect James Corner presented a transformative vision for remaking Seattle's waterfront after the removal of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Lynn Thompson describes Corner's plan, and its accompanying funding challenges.
A heated saltwater swimming pool on a barge? A seasonal roller rink on a pier? A mist machine? Sign us up for a visit to Seattle's waterfront of the future, as presented last week in the latest iteration of a plan by James Corner Field Operations, refined after months of public consultation. Other elements of the plan include parks, pathways and public plazas intended to provide increased public access to the waterfront year-round.
Compared favorably to, "two of Seattle's major civic
undertakings - the 1962 World's Fair and the Forward Thrust initiative
in the late 1960s that built the Kingdome, cleaned up Lake Washington
and built dozens of public swimming pools and community centers," Corner's plan is being enthusiastically endorsed by the city's Central Waterfront Committee.
Now about that $420 million price tag, which the Waterfront Committee's finance subcommittee believes, "half of which would come from a local improvement district funded by
downtown property owners, with the rest from city taxpayers and private
donors," writes Thompson.
"Members of the finance committee said their funding plan is both realistic and achievable."
"We went into this worrying about the scale," said Gerry Johnson, a
Seattle attorney and co-chairman. "We've emerged being very confident
that this is something we can accomplish."
FULL STORY: After the Alaskan Way Viaduct, city sees 'a waterfront for all'

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

How Project Connect Would Change ‘The Drag’
A popular — and sometimes deadly — Austin road will exchange car lanes for light rail.

Milwaukee Road to Get Complete Streets Upgrades
The city will reduce vehicle lanes and build a protected multi-use trail including bioswales and other water retention features on its ‘secret highway.’

Tackling Soil Contamination With Nature-Based Solutions
Los Angeles County residents and experts are turning to nature-based methods like bioremediation to address long-standing and fire-exacerbated soil contamination without resorting to costly and disruptive removal.
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.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service