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.