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Monday, February 1, 2010

Architecture The Return of Street Vendors

Posted by Charles Mudede on Mon, Feb 1, 2010 at 3:56 PM

In Jerry Garcia's excellent little piece about the hole on 2nd and Pine, we find this statement:

It's somehow fitting that our very own Seattle City Hall is a viewing perch onto an even larger hole occupying an entire city block. From there it is apparent: We are in the midst of a period where little big will happen soon.

That particular hole, which is nothing at the moment but a city for rats, was supposed to become this:

A tower and plaza is designed by Norman Foster, the man behind this famous ugly building and this marvelous one. And what drew Norman Foster to this project, and exactly the reason why it was so important for it to be completed? The light rail station. If the plaza had been built (I suspect the project went the way of the 1), it would've offered in 2011 the only decent stop for people entering downtown from the airport. At present, none of the train stops do anything for the airport people. Walk out on Third and James—nothing to eat, nothing to sit on, nothing to drink. Walk out on Pine and Third—the underworld of Mickey D's. Walk out on Fifth and Pine—the Nordstrom overlords. This city is just not prepared for the new race—the luggage-pulling airport people. Our only hope is that the "collection of independent vendors" mentioned in the Garcia's article migrate to and settle on these vacant and unfriendly spaces.

Comments (9) RSS

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And poor Triad Development, to whom the Council sold the parcel back when everyone was so optimistic and ambitious. I hope that Triad's longstanding close relationship with the new mayor helps them come out okay somehow.

Posted by gloomy gus on February 1, 2010 at 4:29 PM

Me, I kind of like the building.

It reminds me of the new store that just opened in Dubai.

Posted by Will in Seattle

on February 1, 2010 at 4:32 PM

Aren't those suitcase-wielders heading for hotels, or home? What do they need cafes for? How often do you see people downtown carrying suitcases who aren't headed straight to or from hotels?

The people downtown who need cafes and food carts and so on are in those buildings, those offices and hotels.

Posted by Fnarf

on February 1, 2010 at 4:45 PM

Shit, I think you mixed up the "marvelous" and the "ugly".

Posted by Timmytee on February 1, 2010 at 5:52 PM

that site should be a civic space, a public square - the whole fucking block. its the last chance we have for one.

Posted by Max Solomon on February 1, 2010 at 7:57 PM

So wait... you're saying that this building/ plaza would've been the ONLY thing worth visiting in the ID, Pioneer Square, or downtown? And since it wasn't built there's nothing worth going to for visitors? Seems like a pretty big claim to just toss out there with absolutely nothing to support it. What was going to be so special about this plaza compared to Westlake Plaza?

Posted by dalbright

on February 1, 2010 at 8:34 PM

I'm in agreement w/ #4. The round spire looks much better.

Posted by brendan on February 2, 2010 at 12:56 AM

@6: westlake is subpar leftover space with a road through it (and the road should go through it). a traditional, formal square, bounded by streets, large enough for civic events, would be an asset. versus another office building which we don't really need.

Posted by Max Solomon on February 2, 2010 at 7:06 AM