Seattle Design Commission -- In Depth

What We Do: In Depth

The Seattle Design Commission advises the Mayor, City Council and City departments on the design of capital improvement projects as well as projects on City land, in the City right-of-way, or constructed with City dollars.

Responsibilities
The Seattle Design Commission's responsibilities include:

project reviews
- Capital Improvement Projects (CIP)
- Right-of-Way projects (ROW)
- major projects, including transportation infrastructure and master plans
making recommendations to officials on the City's projects
holding design workshops to explore solutions for projects
publishing issue papers on design-related topics

The Seattle Design Commission is just one of several citizen-led boards appointed by the Mayor and City Council to review the design of projects. Other boards or commissions review the design of private development projects, designated landmarks, and in historic districts. Download the brochure, "This is Design Review in Seattle."

Last Updated: February 2, 2007

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.