SEATTLE C.A.P.Lot Size: 45 acres
SEATTLE C.A.P.
Lot Size: 45 acres Location: Seattle, WA Project Type: Master Plan
Project Narrative: “C.A.P. proposes to insert topography and public park space into the chasm created by Interstate 5” A narrow swath of land between Lake Washington and Elliott Bay is situated in the remote upper northwest corner of the United States – here sits the City of Seattle. Populated by Douglas fir and Red cedar trees until settlers started turning the isthmus into a fast growing metropolis just over 150 years ago. The first major industry in the city, logging, was successful in turning the tall forests into an urbanized landscape. As the growing city met topographical challenges, the topography was simply removed, relocated or filled-in to create a more suitable environment for euro-centric city building. This approach to city building was so successful that by the mid-1900’s the city of Detroit, MI had more trees and greenspace downtown than Seattle, WA. The Seattle Commons took an underutilized portion of the city within close proximity of the downtown core and turned it into a Central Park-esque feature in the middle of proposed development on the periphery. Despite generous support from Paul Allen to create the Seattle Commons as a public amenity to balance out the proposed development, the City of Seattle said no thank you to a 45 acre downtown park. 25 years of impressive growth have built-out South Lake Union as well as many other neighborhoods around the city. As the urban core densifies opportunities for significant public green space downtown are becoming difficult to imagine. Interstate 5 occupies an immense swath of land through downtown Seattle, slicing the isthmus in two pieces with the cut occurring along the edges between the International District/Downtown Core/South Lake Union to the west and First Hill and Capitol Hill to the east. Minor attempts to connect the city with itself are tenuous at best. The C.A.P. proposal solves multiple issues, our growing city can thrive from the complexity of the challenges facing its citizens. We can have a beautiful public park, a destination convention center, a downtown sports arena and affordable housing. Each of the neighborhoods have multiple opportunities to tie the city back together at large and small scales. Focus on the public amenities, public input and evolutionary process that the C.A.P. infrastructure supports will allow the development of the concept over time.
6
7 PROJECT GOALS 45 ACRE PARK
RECONNECT NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE URBAN FABRIC OF THE CITY
4
DENSIFYING URBAN CORE
6
5
ENERGY GENERATION, NOISE REDUCTION, STORMWATER MITIGATION, EMISSIONS CONTROL ARCHITECTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE AT A CITY SCALE
SITE PLAN
2
2
3 2
1. Park 2. Convention+Hotel 3. Arena 4. Housing 5. Parking 6. Cultural Center 7. Office/Research Space
45 acres 3,500,000 SF 20,000 Seats 564 units 500 spaces 50,835 SF 280,000 SF
*buildings under development/construction are rendered in a light grey.
FREEWAY LID PROJECTS
Green Space Size Comparison Precedents for large freeway cap projects. In Washington we have Sam Smith Park and Aubrey Davis Park covering a portion of the I-90 freeway as well as the Freeway Park in downtown lidding a part of I-5.
15 acres
Sam Smith Park (I-90) Seattle, WA
20 acres
Aubrey Davis Park (I-90) Mercer Island, WA
30 acres
Big Dig Project (I-93) Boston, MA
32 acres
Margret T. Hance Park (10 Freeway) Phoenix, AZ
45 acres Seattle C.A.P. (I-5) Seattle, WA
778 acres Central Park Manhattan, NY
2015
population employment housing units green space
Growing With the Population Seattle is one of the fastest growing cities in America. With limited land to expand on, we’ve built vertically for housing and office space, but we’re running low on potential places for green space. Seattle CAP would provide the city with much needed amenities by utilizing the space above I-5.
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
2020
*graphic information for population, employment, and housing provided by City of Seattle. Green space growth is an estimate only.
2030
Historical Photo This image shows the development of I-5 as it cut through the growing city of Seattle in the 1960s. With Seattle CAP we have the opportunity to reconnect the Seattle neighborhoods, provide amenities for our continually growing city, and cover the I-5 ear and eye sore.
I-5 PHOTO
C.A.P. tunnel north entrance on I-5 at the Lakeview Blvd overpass
I-5 C.A.P.
The north entrance of the I-5 tunnel is topped with a glass pavilion, housing a cultural center and signifying the beginning of the park.
RENDERING
C.A.P. Housing Along the freeway at Eastlake Ave. E. Seattle C.A.P. provids affordable housing for a growing population - while creating an urban edge to South Lake Union.
I-5 C.A.P. RENDERING
SECTION Cut through the Arena/Convention Center and neighbouring Hotel lodging - under the park.
I-5 GOOGLE EARTH
I-5 C.A.P. RENDERING
I-5 PHOTO STITCH
C.A.P. Park The green space above I-5 bridges the pedestrian path between the Seattle neighborhoods, while also providing a new viewpoint.
I-5 C.A.P. RENDERING
Lot Size: 45 acres Location: Seattle, WA Project Type: Master Plan
Project Narrative: “C.A.P. proposes to insert topography and public park space into the chasm created by Interstate 5” A narrow swath of land between Lake Washington and Elliott Bay is situated in the remote upper northwest corner of the United States – here sits the City of Seattle. Populated by Douglas fir and Red cedar trees until settlers started turning the isthmus into a fast growing metropolis just over 150 years ago. The first major industry in the city, logging, was successful in turning the tall forests into an urbanized landscape. As the growing city met topographical challenges, the topography was simply removed, relocated or filled-in to create a more suitable environment for euro-centric city building. This approach to city building was so successful that by the mid-1900’s the city of Detroit, MI had more trees and greenspace downtown than Seattle, WA. The Seattle Commons took an underutilized portion of the city within close proximity of the downtown core and turned it into a Central Park-esque feature in the middle of proposed development on the periphery. Despite generous support from Paul Allen to create the Seattle Commons as a public amenity to balance out the proposed development, the City of Seattle said no thank you to a 45 acre downtown park. 25 years of impressive growth have built-out South Lake Union as well as many other neighborhoods around the city. As the urban core densifies opportunities for significant public green space downtown are becoming difficult to imagine. Interstate 5 occupies an immense swath of land through downtown Seattle, slicing the isthmus in two pieces with the cut occurring along the edges between the International District/Downtown Core/South Lake Union to the west and First Hill and Capitol Hill to the east. Minor attempts to connect the city with itself are tenuous at best. The C.A.P. proposal solves multiple issues, our growing city can thrive from the complexity of the challenges facing its citizens. We can have a beautiful public park, a destination convention center, a downtown sports arena and affordable housing. Each of the neighborhoods have multiple opportunities to tie the city back together at large and small scales. Focus on the public amenities, public input and evolutionary process that the C.A.P. infrastructure supports will allow the development of the concept over time.
6
7 PROJECT GOALS 45 ACRE PARK
RECONNECT NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE URBAN FABRIC OF THE CITY
4
DENSIFYING URBAN CORE
6
5
ENERGY GENERATION, NOISE REDUCTION, STORMWATER MITIGATION, EMISSIONS CONTROL ARCHITECTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE AT A CITY SCALE
SITE PLAN
2
2
3 2
1. Park 2. Convention+Hotel 3. Arena 4. Housing 5. Parking 6. Cultural Center 7. Office/Research Space
45 acres 3,500,000 SF 20,000 Seats 564 units 500 spaces 50,835 SF 280,000 SF
*buildings under development/construction are rendered in a light grey.
FREEWAY LID PROJECTS
Green Space Size Comparison Precedents for large freeway cap projects. In Washington we have Sam Smith Park and Aubrey Davis Park covering a portion of the I-90 freeway as well as the Freeway Park in downtown lidding a part of I-5.
15 acres
Sam Smith Park (I-90) Seattle, WA
20 acres
Aubrey Davis Park (I-90) Mercer Island, WA
30 acres
Big Dig Project (I-93) Boston, MA
32 acres
Margret T. Hance Park (10 Freeway) Phoenix, AZ
45 acres Seattle C.A.P. (I-5) Seattle, WA
778 acres Central Park Manhattan, NY
2015
population employment housing units green space
Growing With the Population Seattle is one of the fastest growing cities in America. With limited land to expand on, we’ve built vertically for housing and office space, but we’re running low on potential places for green space. Seattle CAP would provide the city with much needed amenities by utilizing the space above I-5.
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
2020
*graphic information for population, employment, and housing provided by City of Seattle. Green space growth is an estimate only.
2030
Historical Photo This image shows the development of I-5 as it cut through the growing city of Seattle in the 1960s. With Seattle CAP we have the opportunity to reconnect the Seattle neighborhoods, provide amenities for our continually growing city, and cover the I-5 ear and eye sore.
I-5 PHOTO
C.A.P. tunnel north entrance on I-5 at the Lakeview Blvd overpass
I-5 C.A.P.
The north entrance of the I-5 tunnel is topped with a glass pavilion, housing a cultural center and signifying the beginning of the park.
RENDERING
C.A.P. Housing Along the freeway at Eastlake Ave. E. Seattle C.A.P. provids affordable housing for a growing population - while creating an urban edge to South Lake Union.
I-5 C.A.P. RENDERING
SECTION Cut through the Arena/Convention Center and neighbouring Hotel lodging - under the park.
I-5 GOOGLE EARTH
I-5 C.A.P. RENDERING
I-5 PHOTO STITCH
C.A.P. Park The green space above I-5 bridges the pedestrian path between the Seattle neighborhoods, while also providing a new viewpoint.
I-5 C.A.P. RENDERING
