City Hall will ultimately make the decision to approve or reject the recommendation, which Cienna just reported, to place a Chihuly exhibit in Seattle Center. I asked Mayor Mike McGinn last week what he would do? (McGinn's office will ultimately draft the ordinance and then hand it to the city council.) Would the panel's recommendation bind his decision? Would the museum's ability to spend more money than the alternatives for the site (such as this excellent proposal by KEXP and Open Platform), given the city's budget shortfall next year, predispose his decision?
"I am not predisposed to any option at Seattle Center," said McGinn. "As I said at the beginning, the public loves Seattle Center and we would do what meets the public's expectations. Whatever decision is made, I will take the criticism so it will ultimately be my decision."
So. The mayor wants to do whatever meets the public expectations. Do you expect a for-profit, artistically bankrupt enterprise on public land (in conflict with a previous design chosen by citizens to use that land as a park)? Or do you want something else on that site? Or does money trump everything?
Call the mayor and let him know: (206) 684-4000