Madison Overpass Pedestrian Improvements - Concept Design
Restoring neighborhood connections and civic functions from the east and west sides of the I-5 freeway has long been a goal of the city of Seattle. While most dramatically exhibited in Freeway Park, the opportunity exists to forge better connections at all of the existing overpasses crossing over I-5. This study focuses on the Madison Street overpass. The design concepts attempt to provide an improved sidewalk and pedestrian experience bridging the I-5 cut to tie Downtown and First Hill together.

Read the Madison Overpass Pedestrian Improvements - Concept Design (4.8 MB)

Denny Way Streetscape Concept Plan
The Denny Way Streetscape Concept Plan was conducted between April and December of 2008. The Study considers the Denny Way corridor from Western Avenue to Melrose Avenue. The Streetscape Concept Plan provides an urban design strategy for improving the Denny Way corridor. It is intended for adoption into the City of Seattle Right of Way Improvement Manual, as a pre-considered voluntary guide for streetscape upgrades in the corridor with new development or by direct capital investment.

Read the draft Denny Way Streetscape Concept Plan (6.9 MB)

Third Avenue Streetscape Conceptual Design Plan
CityDesign prepared a plan for Third Avenue to address the seven blocks in downtown Seattle spanning from Blanchard Street to University Street. The plan provides a comprehensive inventory and offers recommendations to establish a long term vision for Third Avenue, including improvements to the roadway, sidewalks, intersections, pedestrian amenities, transit facilities, landscape, signage, and lighting. Design plans and block by block recommendations are included.

Read the Third Ave Streetscape Conceptual Design Plan (7 MB)

Pike and Pine Streetscape Conceptual Design Plan
CityDesign prepared the plan, which represents a vision for Pike and Pine Streets from First through Fourth Avenues. Portions of the plan will be implemented by individual property owners as parcels are redeveloped. Projects will be reviewed in the context of these guidelines. It also provides a menu of options for applicants who are not redeveloping property, but wish to beautify the streetscape abutting their property within the area covered by the plan.

Read the Pike and Pine Streetscape Conceptual Design Plan (35 MB)

Central Waterfront Concept Plan
Since 2002, CityDesign has brought together dozens of community, business and environmental groups as well as governmental agencies to develop the plan. It led a visioning charrette with over 300 people to develop ideas -- and it now leads a 50-person Waterfront Partners Group to develop those ideas into a plan that will turn the waterfront into Seattle's next great place.

Visit the Central Waterfront Concept Plan website.

Blue Ring
Since 1999, CityDesign has been leading the development of the Blue Ring, Seattle’s open space strategy for the Center City. Conceived as a companion to Olmstead's green ring of parks and parkways that encircle Seattle outside of the Center City, the Blue Ring will connect the Center City's assets and amenities, such as the waterfront, the Seattle Center, and Occidental Park.

Read the two reports: Blue Ring, the Next Decade (6.1 MB) and Blue Ring, the Next 100 Years.

Westlake Avenue Street Design Concept
CityDesign is facilitating development of an open space and public realm plan along Westlake Avenue between the downtown retail core and South Lake Union.  It calls for pedestrian improvements and the novel use of storm water in the right-of-way to structure new open spaces.

See the Westlake Avenue Street Design Concept.

Green Streets
Began in 1997 by the Seattle Department of Transportation, CityDesign assumed responsibility for the planning of green streets in 2004. Green streets:

• incorporate a system of stormwater treatment within the right-of-way
• minimize the quantity of water that is piped to streams and rivers
• make visible a system of “green” infrastructure
• maximize street tree coverage to intercept stormwater, mitigate temperatures, and improve air quality
• require a broad-based alliance for planning, funding, maintenance and monitoring

Download the Green Streets presentation. Also, see CityDesign's application of green streets in the Denny Triangle Neighborhood Green Street Guidelines (2001).