America's Most Beloved Public Market is About to Get Better

Pike Place Market, one of Seattle's most visited tourist sites, and one of the prime models for the rediscovered allure of America's public markets, is primed for a significant expansion thanks to a recently approved agreement.

1 minute read

February 24, 2013, 9:00 AM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


With the Seattle City Council’s Central Waterfront Committee's approval of Council Bill 117699, an agreement to develop its last under-developed historic site (known as PC-1 North), Pike Place Market is poised for a new milestone, writes Seattle City Council member Jean Godden.

Architects Miller Hull have developed a design for the .75 acre site that "will provide additional market parking, added retail space and several stories of low-income and artist housing."

"The structure at PC1-North, designed to fit into its site with a low profile and preserve views toward the West, will create more room at the Market for booths and sellers, more room for the market’s fresh produce and organic specialties, all supplemented by increased parking and access," says Godden.

"But, more than that, the infill site will anchor a spectacular sloping walkway that will link the Market to the Waterfront, providing easy access for pedestrians between the two. The walkway will serve up matchless views of Elliott Bay all along the way.  There will be ample room on the promenade for public art and green outlooks."

"The change will present the Market with a fantastic opportunity," she adds. "But the opportunity is just as great or greater for Seattle’s emerging waterfront which will benefit from easy access to Seattle’s prime tourist attraction."

Tuesday, February 19, 2013 in Crosscut

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Hot air balloons rise over Downtown Boise with the State Capitol building visible amidst the high rises.

The Five Most-Changed American Cities

A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.

April 23, 2025 - GoodMigrations

People biking along beach path with moored ship in San Diego, California.

San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan

The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.

5 hours ago - SD News

Sleeping in Public

Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts

Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.

6 hours ago - KSL

Conductor walks down platform next to Amtrak train at station in San Jose, California.

Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement

An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.

7 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

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.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO