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Seattle City Council

NEWS ADVISORY

SUBJECT: John Norquist: Highways to Boulevards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
5/4/2006  2:35:00 PM

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Phyllis Shulman (206) 684-8805
Stephanie Pure (206) 684-8804

BROWN BAG SPECIAL
JOHN NORQUIST: HIGHWAYS TO BOULEVARDS
What happens to the traffic?

SEATTLE –As cities across the nation opt for alternatives to elevated urban freeways and costly tunnels, they’re sharing fascinating stories about what happens to the traffic.

Seattle is one of six cities being examined in a national study about how to replace disintegrating elevated high-ways. That’s why three Seattle City Council members: Richard Conlin, Peter Steinbrueck and Jan Drago have invited former Milwaukee Mayor John Norquist, the study’s leader to Seattle to talk about the many benefits of surface level streets as a replacement for highway structures such as the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

This Brown Bag Special, Highways to Boulevards: Reclaiming Urbanism & Revitalizing Cities, takes place Tuesday, May 23rd from noon to 1:30 p.m. in Seattle's City Hall, 2nd floor Council Chamber (City Hall is at 600 4th Avenue, between Cherry and James Streets) downtown.

"Seattle has an opportunity to unlock the value of one of its most important assets by reconnecting its downtown to its waterfront,” said John Norquist. “City leaders here are working to enhance the livability of Seattle’s urban core, and they have the benefit of growing national support for valuable alternatives to elevated urban highways and expensive tunnels."

“We want to be certain that we check all our assumptions and think creatively as have a number of cities nationwide,” said Richard Conlin. “We owe that to the people of Seattle.”

"We can’t let the central waterfront be devastated by a monstrous aerial replacement structure that would be larger than the existing viaduct," said Peter Steinbrueck. "That's why we’re going to do everything in our power to make sure the choices we put forward are smart and feasible."

“This is a decision that will affect generations,” said Jan Drago. “And any decision must enhance our transit option. We need to aggressively plan and decide based on cost-effectiveness.”

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City Council

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