On Wednesday, July 26, Mayor Nickels transmitted a resolution to City Council that would approve his recommended Concept Plan for the Central Waterfront. The plan illustrates the opportunities presented by the removal of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and its replacement with a tunnel. Implementation of this plan will provide an exciting new waterfront for Seattle—a waterfront for people rather than cars.

The plan proposes new locations for public open space, for environmental improvements along the shoreline, and for improved connections to the downtown core. It also proposes some regulatory changes, including the designation of Piers 54-59 as an historic district. With this plan, there will be increased public access to the water, including a 70-foot pedestrian promenade and a terraced connection to Pike Place Market. Nearly 19 acres of new public open space will be developed along the waterfront with this plan.

The Waterfront Concept Plan represents the culmination of three years of work by DPD staff and hundreds of citizens. The next phase of the planning work will involve a “Public Realm Plan”—a master plan for the public spaces including the surface streets, public parks and open spaces. Once Council has released the funds for the Public Realm Plan, it will take about one year to complete.