On February 12, more than 120 people attended an open house to provide feedback on three preliminary concepts for South Lake Union’s future urban form. The concepts were developed in a two-day workshop hosted by the South Lake Union Friends and Neighbors Community Council (SLUFAN). SLUFAN will now review comments received on the concepts and will make a recommendation to the Mayor for alternatives to be considered during environmental review of changes to the neighborhood’s zoning. For more information please see www.seattle.gov/DPD/Planning/SLU and www.slufan.org.

The three main concepts are:

Transit Corridors and Nodes Option

• Existing transit corridors and future East-West streetcar route provide focus for increased density and transit use.
• Identifies Dexter, Westlake, Mercer, Fairview and Harrison Avenue as high-density corridor opportunities.

Edge Transitions Option

• New zoning envelope responds to adjacent areas.
• Majority of density at edges (Denny & Dexter).
• Provides “two-sided” high-density development corridor along Denny Way with massing balanced to match Denny Triangle rezone.
• Cascade neighborhood remains lower density area.
• Minimized height south of Lake Union park and shoreline.
• Development and density respects lake frontage and Kenmore Air flight path.

Parks Focus Option

• Denny Park, Lake Union Park and Cascade Playground provide focus for new higher density development.
• Less additional development capacity added around Cascade Playground.
• Linkage between high-rise and adjacent open space provides human-scaled streetscapes.