We're slammed with putting out two papers at once, so I'll try to make this snappy:

Overall, the Seattle Center deal—Chihuly, KEXP, a time line for 12 new acres of planned open space—is a great compromise born out of a lot of hard work and bargaining. The new KEXP digs are arguably better suited for the radio station than the Arcade Pavilion. Once KEXP the building's wall of cement on 1st Avenue N is opened up with windows, KEXP will face out towards the Queen Anne neighborhood (rather than be buried in the belly of the Seattle Center). This location will give KEXP great street exposure and two access points—one on the Seattle Center campus, one off—depending on how the building is redesigned. And the Vera Project is right next door. Hurrah!

And the city's getting a better Chihuly exhibit. BUT: It could be better, still, by offering one free-admission night per month and a commitment to showcase other glass artists in the museum. Council member Nick Licata agrees: "The proposal is greatly improved from what was originally proposed," he said when reached by phone this afternoon. But "I'd like to see them show other glass artists—such as the glass art that the city has in its collection or artists that work with the city. They should do this a few times each year."

During a meeting last the summer, Ron Sevart, CEO of the Space Needle LLC, explained to me that the Wright family and the Chihuly family "see this museum as a chance to provide Seattle, and residents, with a really unique legacy. We view it as a real gift to the city."

But a temporary legacy with a $12 to $15 price tag is a shitty gift. Other museums—SAM, the Henry, the Asian in town offer one free night a month, so should the Chihuly exhibition. "I think the exhibit should allow for Seattle residents to have access once a month to the facility for free," Licata added, "and my understanding is they're looking at that very closely."

The for-profit Chihuly exhibit stands to spin glass into huge rainbows of cash once it opens. Here's hoping Seattle City council member Sally Bagshaw, chair of the council's parks and Seattle Center committee, puts her delicate foot down on these two issues before the lease agreements reach her committee next year.