Tag: Uptown

You’re Invited to an Uptown Planning Open House

Please join City staff and members of the Uptown community on the evening of October 8 for an open house about several important initiatives in the Uptown Urban Center.  At the open house, DPD will share information and request feedback on:

  • A Draft Urban Design Framework (UDF) for the Uptown Urban Center.
  • Scoping for an upcoming Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to study possible rezones.
  • A parking study for the entire Uptown Urban Center.

 

Join us: 

Thursday, October 8
5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Seattle Center, McCaw Hall
Allen Foundation for the Arts Room
Please enter off Mercer Street

The Urban Design Framework (UDF)

Community stakeholders, DPD, and the Seattle Center have been working together to develop UDF (framework plan) for the neighborhood.  The UDF communicates a vision for the physical development of the neighborhood as it grows, addresses emerging issues and opportunities, and presents possible implementation steps including:

  • Establishing an Arts and Culture District.
  • Increasing the diversity of housing opportunities, housing types and affordability.
  • Supporting development of a multi-modal transportation system that includes high capacity transit, bike, and pedestrian facilities.
  • Addressing a complex parking situation.
  • Using zoning to integrate important neighborhood amenities such as open space, affordable housing, and cultural spaces.
  • Advocating for a school and community center.

In addition to discussing the Urban Design Framework, this meeting is the kickoff to two implementation actions recommended in the Urban Design Framework:  an EIS and a parking study.

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

DPD is preparing an EIS to evaluate increases in building height in the neighborhood.  The UDF recommended increases in height in some locations to improve the urban form of the neighborhood and incentivize public benefits through zoning. Our October 8 meeting will serve as the scoping meeting for the rezone EIS. However, written comments may also be submitted through November 8.

Strategic Parking Study

The October 8 event is also the kickoff for the Seattle Center and Uptown Strategic Parking study. The study will address how to adequately provide parking for Seattle Center while still allowing potential redevelopment of parking structures and lots in the neighborhood.

For additional information:

Jim Holmes, Senior Planner
(206) 684-8372
jim.holmes@seattle.gov

Uptown Planning Open House

On October 8, DPD will hold an open house and scoping meeting for several important initiatives in the Uptown Urban Center.

Uptown Planning Open House
Thursday, October 8
5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Seattle Center, McCaw Hall
Allen Foundation for the Arts Room
Please enter off Mercer Street

Community stakeholders, DPD, and the Seattle Center have been working together to develop an Urban Design Framework for the neighborhood. The Urban Design Framework sets out a vision for the physical development of the neighborhood as it grows, addresses emerging issues and opportunities, and presents a clear set of implementation actions. Major issues include:

  • Establishing the neighborhood as an Arts and Culture District.
  • Increasing the diversity of housing opportunities, both in terms of housing type and affordability.
  • Supporting development of a multi-modal transportation system that includes high capacity transit, bike, and pedestrian facilities.
  • Addressing a complex parking situation.
  • Using zoning to obtain important neighborhood amenities such as open space, affordable housing, and cultural spaces.
  • Advocating for a school and community center.

 

In addition to discussing the Urban Design Framework, this meeting is the kickoff to two implementation actions set out in the Urban Design Framework.

First, DPD is preparing an environmental impact statement to evaluate increases in building height in the neighborhood.  This Urban Design Framework recommendation rests on the idea that increases in height in some locations can improve the urban form of the neighborhood and provide important public amenities resulting from the public benefits required to gain extra height. Our October 8 meeting will serve as the scoping meeting for the rezone EIS. However, written comments may also be submitted through November 8.

Second, this meeting is the kickoff for the Seattle Center and Uptown Strategic Parking study. This study will address how to adequately provide parking for Seattle Center while still allowing potential redevelopment parking structures and lots in the neighborhood.

Uptown Planning Open House

On October 8, DPD will hold an open house and scoping meeting for several important initiatives in the Uptown Urban Center.

Uptown Planning Open House
Thursday, October 8
5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Seattle Center, McCaw Hall
Allen Foundation for the Arts Room
Please enter off Mercer Street

Community stakeholders, DPD, and the Seattle Center have been working together to develop an Urban Design Framework for the neighborhood. The Urban Design Framework sets out a vision for the physical development of the neighborhood as it grows, addresses emerging issues and opportunities, and presents a clear set of implementation actions. Major issues include:

  • Establishing the neighborhood as an Arts and Culture District.
  • Increasing the diversity of housing opportunities, both in terms of housing type and affordability.
  • Supporting development of a multi-modal transportation system that includes high capacity transit, bike, and pedestrian facilities.
  • Addressing a complex parking situation.
  • Using zoning to obtain important neighborhood amenities such as open space, affordable housing, and cultural spaces.
  • Advocating for a school and community center.

 

In addition to discussing the Urban Design Framework, this meeting is the kickoff to two implementation actions set out in the Urban Design Framework.

First, DPD is preparing an environmental impact statement to evaluate increases in building height in the neighborhood.  This Urban Design Framework recommendation rests on the idea that increases in height in some locations can improve the urban form of the neighborhood and provide important public amenities resulting from the public benefits required to gain extra height. Our October 8 meeting will serve as the scoping meeting for the rezone EIS. However, written comments may also be submitted through November 8.

Second, this meeting is the kickoff for the Seattle Center and Uptown Strategic Parking study. This study will address how to adequately provide parking for Seattle Center while still allowing potential redevelopment parking structures and lots in the neighborhood.

Uptown Urban Design Framework

DPD is working with the Uptown community to develop an Urban Design Framework (UDF) that aims to establish a shared vision for the future development of Uptown. The UDF will also aims to identify implementation actions for both the public and the private sector to realize the shared vision. Urban Design Frameworks in other areas of the City (Northgate, South Lake Union, Capitol Hill, and West Seattle) have resulted in concrete actions that advance community goals.  In November of 2013, DPD and the Uptown Alliance held a public open house to discuss key issues including:

  • Connectivity: How does Uptown connect to adjacent neighborhoods? How easy is it to move through Uptown for pedestrians, bikes, and cars? Are there physical or perceived barriers that limit mobility through the neighborhood?
  • Economic Vitality: How can we strengthen the business district in Uptown? What are the major opportunities that we can leverage to increase retail activity and employment in the neighborhood?
  • Public Realm: How can streets, sidewalks, and public open space support development of the neighborhood?
  • Seattle Center: How can we build stronger connections between Seattle Center and the neighborhood?
  • Housing: How can we encourage development of a diversity of housing types – measured both by affordability and type?

In June, DPD held the first of three design charrettes that build on the initial workshop results to provide specific recommendations that will become the Urban Design Framework. The first charrette took a high-level view of how different parts of the neighborhood function and relate to each other. Subsequent charrettes will focus on very specific implementation steps.  Participants in the charrette were invited from a cross section of neighborhood stakeholders to generate a robust discussion with a variety of viewpoints. The map below, one of the charrette products, defines key neighborhood nodes and how they might develop in the future.

We anticipate releasing a draft Uptown Urban Design Framework in early 2015.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, visit our website at www.seattle.gov/dpd/cityplanning/completeprojectslist/uptown/ or contact:

Jim Holmes
(206) 684-8372
jim.holmes@seattle.gov