Comments on: Saving a Piece of Ugly Something for Something Beautiful

By: serial catowner

serial catowner — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:11:45 +0000

Everyone seems to have forgotten that the reason it’s coming down is so that it doesn’t fall down, as it otherwise inevitably will. Building an elevated platform on that substrata would be no small task.

Take a good look at the Alaska Building. Then walk over and look at the viaduct. Do you see any point of resemblance between these two structures? If you do, please e-mail me immediately, as I am seriously looking for some good LSD.

And excuse me for pointing this out, but Seattle has no shortage of good viewing places that are elevated, and in themselves historical, attractive, often both. Try Highland Park, the Watertank at Volunteer Park, or Manning’s third floor at the Market. If the view from the sidewalk at the waterfront isn’t good enough for you, take a ferry ride- Winslow and return only takes a little over an hour and costs a few bucks. Breath salt air.

As for a historical memory of a bygone age, the Aurora Bridge, with all its grandeur and maintenance expenses, ought to be enough for anyone.

This idea is an example of clever ‘radical art’ theory that sinks like a stone. I’ve actually tried keeping art pieces in the yard that are clever, ironic, or really beautiful when viewed in random number theory, and, strange to say, nobody is impressed. I guess they don’t have enough education to appreciate a slab of concrete as an ironic comment on life and love the simplicity of expression.

What would be ironic and artistic would be to simply let it fall down, and become another in the Washington State DOT list of bridges that failed or sank. It sure would be historic then!

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:55:38 +0000

There was a promo over the winter where you could buy an individual plus guest pass for for under $30. Myself, a friend, my girlfriend and one of her co-workers all bought passes. Makes it easy to decide on something to do for out-of-town guests!

Actually, they’re $49.99 right now. If I remember correctly, the normal price was over $100: http://store.spaceneedle.com/

By: striatic

striatic — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:42:55 +0000

the space needle isn’t exactly the most publicly accessible place. it is 16 bucks just to go up.

By: striatic

striatic — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:39:16 +0000

this could be a lot like the highline project, except better in a variety of ways.

i think the key to this working would be the ability to walk up onto the elevated section.

By: EeePC

EeePC — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:05:23 +0000

Reminds me of the Promenade Plantée here in Paris.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promenade_plantée

It was a railroad viaduct, but now it’s an elevated walkway full of trees and plants.

By: Bernie

Bernie — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:20:10 +0000

I’m with Matt on this one. There are plenty of places to get a view of the waterfront; the Space Needle comes to mind. This entire structure is a danger in an earthquake. Either retrofit it and keep it as a highway or tear it down. Some things are better remembered in pictures.

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:30:33 +0000

Eff keeping it up… Its ugly and blocks an otherwise awesome view… hence the motivation for tearing it down in the first place. You dont pick up your dog’s pile of crap, but leave 1 little turd to remind yourself of what he left you…

But I do agree we should remember the history of the viaduct, so we should do what San Fran did in ferry plaza: Put markers on the ground that show the old foundation of the viaduct, and displays with old pictures of the old waterfront at a waterfront park.

By: mike

mike — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:19:50 +0000

surprised it took so long for someone to mention the highline…

which, btw, is an ex-elevated rail that no longer looks like an elevated rail (for the most part)

By: ina

ina — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 05:30:23 +0000

I’m sure I’m not the only person who reads this blog who has seen e2 Transport’s segment on the Cheonggyecheon Freeway in Seoul. They left part of the highway supports as a lesson to future generations. It may not be beautiful, but it seems like a good idea for people to remember past mistakes. There’s a picture of that site about halfway down this page: http://www.livablestreets.com/streetswiki/highway-removal

By: shabadoo

shabadoo — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:39:59 +0000

Here’s a pretty excellent example of how to remake an abandoned viaduct into something excellent. Ours would have better views, too.

By: lightning

lightning — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:27:48 +0000

I agree that it is the worst eyesore and blight on the city. So why would it be any different as “art”? Would anyone seriously consider saving the [also hideous] sinking garage because it’s now getting to be historic age? How I’d love to have that one torn down and replaced by a replica (of sorts) of the old Hotel Seattle. When I think of the beautiful buildings razed over the years, before we knew better, I hate to think of leaving even a trace of that monstrosity of a viaduct. Thanks for letting me rant…

By: rob

rob — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:11:30 +0000

I like the idea, it will remind me and countless others of all the beautiful views we enjoyed driving on it. It is an important part of seattle history. I suggest saving the part by the ferry terminal since there is already the ferry/ped. walkaway right under the viaduct that could be connected to the driving decks and maybe to the Seneca off ramp as well.

By: Carl

Carl — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:08:58 +0000

I agree – tear the whole thing down – it’s an abomination.

By: seth

seth — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 03:05:52 +0000

The viaduct is absolutely hideous, the worst blight on the beautiful city of Seattle. There is nothing about it that is worth saving, not even a small piece of it. The sooner it is gone, the better.

By: Lindsey

Lindsey — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:08:27 +0000

Noooooo! That is the section currently blocking my view!

By: johnmocha

johnmocha — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:54:10 +0000

Sounds like a tremendous idea!

1) Counts as public art
2) Saves the project the 1% or 2% they would have to spend on public art otherwise
3) Saves on dump/concrete recycling fees as well as exhaust fumes from the dump trucks that would haul it away
4) Is green

By: marcus

marcus — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:27:40 +0000

Good idea. However, the city should move it to the Olympic Sculpture Park.

By: Pete Lorimer

Pete Lorimer — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:48:36 +0000

Wow, that’s a great document! There are a lot of ideas in there that, if carried out, would make Pioneer Square a fantastic, dynamic neighborhood.

By: J

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:22:05 +0000

I think it would be better to design something more beautiful that would refer to the best parts about the viaduct (the elevated view), but not an actual chunk of it. It’s not just the noisy, smelly cars… it’s really quite a brutal thing with little design to it. But an elevated viewing platform might have some merit, if carefully designed and located.

By: Gary

Gary — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:14:36 +0000

I think they should keep the whole thing, and fill in under it when the Sea rises.

Check out this interactive map to see what a 3M rise in sea leave is going to do to our city.

http://flood.firetree.net/?ll=43.3251,-101.6015&z=13&m=3

Looks like it will just work as the new sea wall.