Seattle Design Commission -- Project Review Handbook

Project Review Handbook

The Design Commission's Project Review Handbook is written for project managers and designers of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) and other public facilities or for those requesting a modification to the right-of-way in Seattle who present their projects for review by the Seattle Design Commission.

It is also written for citizens, students and those from other municipalities who want to learn more about Seattle's design review process for public facilities and right-of-way projects.

Also see the 2006 Hourly Project Billing Letter, which explains the fees the Design Commission charges for its reviews.

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Project Review Handbook

Download the Project Review Handbook (1.78 mb pdf).

Table of Contents

Overview
Mission
Capital Improvement Projects
- consultant selections
- pre-design
- concept design
- schematic design
- design development
- construction documents
Right-of-Way Projects
- street use permits
- skybridge permits
- street and alley vacations
- objects in the right-of-way
- sign permit special exceptions
Major Projects
- Transportation Infrastructure
- Master Plans
More Information

From the Design Commission archive: download the first edition of the Project Review Handbook (11mb pdf), which was used from 2001-2005.

Last Updated: June 2, 2006

News
Council Briefing
On August 10, 2009 the Seattle Design Commission briefed the City Council on its work over the past year, including fifty-five projects reviews, an annual retreat, a 40th anniversary event, one construction site visit and two workshops. Read the Council report and watch the video presentation on the Seattle Channel.

Next Meeting
See the agenda.

Recommendations
The Seattle Design Commission writes recommendations to public officials about the urban design merits of the largest projects impacting the city, such as:

Portal, Street and Tunnel Visual Guidelines
The Design Commission identifies opportunities and constraints regarding the portal and vent building design and the larger urban framework surrounding the north and south tunnel portals of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement project. Read the letter (11/2009).

Stormwater Code
The Design Commission supports updating the Seattle Stormwater Code to incorporate, define and encourage the use of green stormwater infrastructure throughout the City on both public and private projects. Read the letter urging revisions to the stormwater code (9/2009)

SR 520 Bridge Replacement
The Design Commission supports Option K, with modifications, and finds Option A a viable alternative, with modifications. Read the letter (12/2008).

See more recommendations. Also, read the minutes of the commission's project reviews.

Visual Resume

The Grass Blades
See the AIA award-winning The Grass Blades at the Seattle Center and how the Design Commission's review made a difference in the development of this project. Open the Visual Resume.

photo by Benjamin Benschneider

Annual Report
2008 annual report thumbnail
2008 Report
In 2008, the Design Commission reviewed $12.4 billion worth of public projects. For details, see the commission's annual report.