SEATTLE—This week the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) released new images depicting the Seattle Monorail Project's Green Line in several Downtown locations. DSA worked with Seattle firm LMN Architects to develop renderings using the specifications provided in the proposed contract with Cascadia Monorail Company to Design, Build, Operate and Maintain (DBOM) the system.

The images feature superimposed graphics of the monorail on actual photographs of downtown locations including Pike Street, 2nd Avenue and University Street. "We understand the design for the Green Line is not complete, says Kate Joncas, President, Downtown Seattle Association. "These renderings are intended to represent the design as it was presented in the documents released by SMP in June, and what we know now raises serious concerns that the current plan will jeopardize the Downtown pedestrian environment and well established view corridors to the waterfront and Elliott Bay." To view the images, click here.

LMN architects and structural engineers combined data from multiple sources to create the images. Technical data on the monorail guideway dimensions, column spacings, locations and the depth of beams was collected from the contract documents released from SMP (Technical Proposal D1-2.4, and D2 Dual Guideway Beam Configuration). This was merged with LMN's digital database of distance and elevation information of city streets. Common reference points from the data were synchronized with actual photography of specific Downtown locations, resulting in the graphic of the monorail.

Since the Seattle Monorail Project was approved by voters in 2002, Downtown Seattle Association has been focusing on getting a high quality product that benefits Downtown and improves transit options. DSA has supported the following:

• Enhanced pedestrian environment under guideways and stations
• Excellent access to Downtown's Retail Core with a connection from the 5th and Virginia/Stewart Station
• 13 to 15 foot clearance from buildings along Second Avenue
• Preservation of historic integrity of King Street Station
• Adequate construction mitigation, phasing and expansion
• Independent analysis of monorail financing

About the Downtown Seattle Association:
The Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) is a membership organization that champions a healthy, vibrant urban core. DSA manages the Metropolitan Improvement District which implements maintenance, safety, marketing and business development programs for 225 square blocks of Downtown Seattle. DSA also manages the Urban Mobility Group, a resource for Downtown businesses to develop commute packages and transportation benefits for employees. For more on the Urban Mobility Group, log on to www.urbanmobilitygroup.com. For more information about DSA and the Metropolitan Improvement District, visit www.downtownseattle.com.

About LMN Architects:
LMN is a major Seattle based firm with extensive experience in the design of prominent civic architecture, including work in 30 states and 6 foreign countries. Project sectors include performing arts, convention/civic centers, libraries/higher education, commercial/office, and urban design/transportation. Locally, major LMN projects include Benaroya Hall, Washington State Convention and Trade Center Expansion, UW Paul Allen School of Computer Science, McCaw Hall, and, in joint venture with OMA, the Seattle Central Library.