Pike Place Market Centennial

Plans for Change

The first suggestion of impending change for the Market came in 1950, when engineer Harlan Edwards recommended demolishing it in favor of a large parking garage. While this idea went nowhere, in 1963 the business-oriented Central Association of Seattle put forward a proposal that would replace the Market with high-rise office and hotel buildings, as well as a 7-story parking garage. This plan would use federal urban renewal funds and had the support of the Mayor and City Council.

Edwards plan

Report cover

Architectural model

Audio:
Mayor Braman speaking about proposed redevelopment, March 19, 1969 (1.3 mb)
CD 155, Recording ID 1
City Council Audio Tapes (Record Series 4601-03), Seattle Municipal Archives

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