Overview

The Downtown Seattle Association formed the Viaduct Task Force in 2001 in response to the damage suffered by the Viaduct during the Nisqually earthquake, and plans by the City and State to replace the structure. DSA felt that in planning for a replacement, the City needed to address critical emerging land use and urban design issues.

Design Principles for Alternatives to the Alaskan Way Viaduct (May 31, 2007)

Alaskan Way Viaduct is a major transportation facility for the people that live, shop, seek entertainment and work in the Downtown. It also provides freight mobility and access to the Port of Seattle, SODO, Ballard/Interbay and the Duwamish industrial area that is important to the Port and the broader manufacturing, industrial, and maritime industrial community. In addition, the structure’s vulnerability to earthquake damage provides a significant life safety risk. Thus, for DSA, identifying a replacement alternative for the Viaduct is the Seattle transportation project of the highest priority.

In evaluating alternatives the DSA believes the decision should not be based on direct project costs, but on the “net” costs and benefits of the project. The direct and long-term benefits of an enhanced tax base resulting from increased land values, new development, increased economic activity, and increased tourism should be considered. These include:

• $1.6 to 2.7 billion in one-time economic benefit from Viaduct removal
• $270 million in one time revenue from Viaduct removal
• $30 to $60 million in recurring annual revenues

In addition, the indirect benefits of new open space, enhanced views of the water, respecting the City’s shoreline environment, and meeting Growth Management goals should be considered.

Seattle is a major economic engine for the region and Washington state, with a Gross Domestic Product of $56 billion (21% of total Washington State GDP) and must not be adversely affected by the selected alternative. Moreover, significant adverse impacts to Seattle’s businesses and the larger economy caused by Viaduct closure and construction disruption must be mitigated.

DSA’s objectives for alternatives to the Viaduct are as follows:

Objectives

• Maintain the economic vitality of Seattle.
• Retain access and mobility to, from and through Downtown.
• Increase access to and stewardship of the waterfront.
• Enhance Downtown streetscapes and urban design.

Viaduct Alternative - Design Principles

Maintain the Economic Vitality of Seattle

• Minimize, through design and/or mitigation, construction disruption of Downtown businesses and residents.
• The City and State should consider decoupling the selected alternative from the Seawall replacement project, depending on cost and construction impact.
• Economic potential of Downtown and the waterfront should be maintained by the selected alternative.
• Ensure continued freight access to the Port of Seattle and continued mobility for trucks traveling to, from and through Seattle.

Retain Access and Mobility To, From, and Through Downtown

• For Downtown to succeed as a cultural, residential, retail and commercial center people must have efficient and effective ingress and egress to, from and through Downtown.
• The City and State must fully mitigate all construction impacts affecting mobility, and maintain efficient and effective ingress and egress to, from and through Downtown.
• The selected alternative should maintain or enhance existing mobility to, from and through Downtown.
• The selected alternative should be part of an integrated mobility solution (considering all transportation modes) to move people and goods to, from, and through downtown.

Increase Access to and Stewardship of the Waterfront

• The Seattle waterfront and Puget Sound are major public assets that should be protected and enhanced.
• Provide convenient pedestrian connections between Downtown and the waterfront.
• Parking impacts from any Viaduct replacement alternative must be fully mitigated, both during construction and in the future.
• Provide well developed and activated open space for people to enjoy.
• Improve pedestrian access to the Puget Sound shoreline.

Enhance Downtown Streetscapes and Urban Design

• Excellent urban design defines a Downtown and influences economic vitality.
• Replacement alternatives should enhance the urban design and streetscape of Downtown Seattle and the waterfront.