Posted Fri, Apr 27, 11:35 a.m.

Maybe connecting networks of small towns with tunnels would achieve some revitalization? Makes as much sense as his first tunnel on the waterfront.

Posted Tue, Apr 24, 3:34 p.m.

Let's pretend you're right about demonic automobiles. What do you suggest we do..?

Posted Mon, Apr 23, 6:38 p.m.

_Richard Borkowski is absolutely right on this one. Please give him my Editor's Pick from last year.

Posted Mon, Apr 23, 6:24 p.m.

I'm still waiting for someone to determine a formula for calculating the cost of intentional, self-inflicted damage to our transportation system with ill-conceived projects like tearing down the Alaska Way Viaduct with no logical replacement, and programs of propaganda demonizing our automobiles.

Posted Fri, Apr 20, 10:31 a.m.

The Buffett Rule is a distraction. Terminate the Bush tax cuts.

Posted Thu, Apr 19, 4:48 p.m.

It's not about Paris. It's not about stopping all development. It's about supporting density with more than just a box to sleep in.

Posted Thu, Apr 19, 1:05 p.m.

Point taken about censorship Valdez…my apology. I should have just said this again… This “create density and call it Paris” baloney has been slung around since the 80s. It was obvious then that no one understood (or would be truthful about) the fact that there was more required than just ...

Posted Wed, Apr 18, 9:28 p.m.

Until we can agree to provide the resources to pay for the infrastructure needed to support European style density here in America, the author should take a hiatus from writing these one-note Johnny articles and do something positive for the community like passing out condoms at high schools or reading ...

Posted Sat, Apr 14, 8:37 p.m.

And, as always, the venerable old Alaska Way Viaduct quietly and steadfastly ensured that all those rosy cheeked Fair visitors had a reliable, efficient way to get to and from the event.

Posted Thu, Apr 12, 10:03 a.m.

Buffett’s antics are a distraction from the real consideration of the Bush tax cuts and their stated and agreed upon provisions that they EXPIRE AT THE END OF 2010. The pending 30 percent minimum tax talks hopefully will also fail and the emphasis be returned to following the sunset provisions ...

Posted Thu, Apr 12, 9:41 a.m.

The Buffett Rule is a phony issue and a distraction from the real conditions of the Bush tax cuts and their stated and agreed upon provisions that they EXPIRE AT THE END OF 2010. Murray should use her elbows to achieve that rather than playing along with whatever is the ...

Posted Wed, Apr 11, 10:22 p.m.

While the tunnel is an egregious, expensive wound to the city's mobility, it's the loss of the viaduct that represents the biggest step backwards for Seattle. No other proposed configuration for the AWV matches the existing viaduct in any transportation related category. The rights of ways already exist. The configuration ...

Posted Wed, Apr 11, 1:37 p.m.

Would it be too much to ask for at least a bypass for downtown for the growing number of citizens who are choosing to avoid going there anymore, but still need to drive through?

Posted Fri, Apr 6, 1:28 p.m.

Eventually when the spin machine runs out of hot air, the reality will sink in that the transportation matrix for downtown, including the ability to efficiently negotiate north / south has been destroyed by a collection of special interests. There should never have been any solutions proposed for 99 that ...

Posted Wed, Apr 4, 1:23 p.m.

Eventually when the spin machine runs out of gas, the reality will sink in that the transportation matrix for downtown, including the ability to efficiently negotiate north / south has been destroyed by a collection of special interests. There should never have been any solutions proposed for 99 that did ...

Posted Thu, Mar 29, 8:52 p.m.

This “create density and call it Paris” baloney has been slung around since the 80s. It was obvious then that no one understood (or would be truthful about) the fact that there was more required than just cramming people into warrens of high rise dwellings. Things like corresponding levels of ...

Posted Thu, Mar 22, 8:34 a.m.

All so that Montlake folks can pretend that the rest of us aren't passing through. Another enormously expensive example of influence and privilege.

Posted Fri, Mar 16, 3:53 p.m.

Exactly right...currently the city council is a rubber stamp with 9 handles on it.

Posted Mon, Mar 5, 12:40 p.m.

Wow. If the new political center is shifting from Seattle’s “exotic causes” to Bellevue’s “quality of (middle class) life” maybe we can still save the viaduct and avoid the billion dollar tunnel fiasco, and opt for an affordable, transportation oriented plan for the 520 bridge? Maybe there’s still time to ...

Posted Thu, Mar 1, 2:22 p.m.

The amazing thing is that those responsible for these costly transportation boondoggles will wind up drawing second or third pensions and working as consultants instead of wearing orange jump suits and picking up cans along the highway.

Posted Tue, Feb 21, 4:14 p.m.

Relax...congestion is the "New Mobility" down in the urban village. I'd say some irate motorists could have turned lemons into lemonade by taking that gridlock time to meet some new people...maybe discuss buying bicycles.

Posted Sat, Feb 18, 11:05 a.m.

Gee...with all the "visionaries" involved in the intergalactic waterfront mobility coalition of stakeholders, movers and shakers that someone would have anticipated this. Did you people forget to let the cat out too?

Posted Fri, Feb 17, 4:46 p.m.

Remember that the Mercer project actually reduces capacity because congestion is the new mobility down there in "Paris on the Puget." So it should perfectly augment new stadiums.

Posted Wed, Feb 15, 10:02 a.m.

Hey...isn't it Paris down there yet ? What's the hold up ?

Posted Mon, Feb 13, 10:30 a.m.

Actually, when you think about it, a new stadium is a better idea than the park. With two stadiums already downtown, and the projected gridlock resulting from the loss of the viaduct, a third stadium should be able to generate some tsunami-size gridlock on those pesky multiple event dates. Then ...

Posted Wed, Feb 8, 5:16 p.m.

Corporate America is doing to the rest of us what was originally done to the Indians.

Posted Tue, Feb 7, 9:10 a.m.

Didn't this all start with the city council falling over the furniture promising the moon to Russel Investment to get +them to abandon Tacoma for Paris on Puget Sound? I guess they giggled out a few perks they couldn't deliver.

Posted Mon, Jan 30, 11:19 a.m.

Of course they'll have to leave their cars in Kent where parking is FREE.

Posted Fri, Jan 27, 3:44 p.m.

Should anyone be surprised that there's confusion about the word "density" when it's been sold to the locals as "Paris" for the last 20 years? As to whether or not the city council and local press is in the pocket of developers and special interests, the answer is "yes" and ...

Posted Tue, Jan 24, 9:39 p.m.

How about this...? We outsource the SEC, bank oversight and corporate behavior issues to the PRC? The Chinese certainly do know business...they are certainly committed to our financial health...and they certainly have more effective solutions for "do no harm" issues relating to bad corporate behavior than we do.

Posted Mon, Jan 9, 12:36 p.m.

...oh and Doug, will Mercer Islanders pay any tolls on I-90...or just us ordinary mooches ?

Posted Sat, Jan 7, 11:08 p.m.

The only thing your crabby uncle was wrong about is why American mfg. jobs wound up overseas. Not because they were stolen, but because American corporations have been closing plants and sending them for years. Also, that old saw about poor quality Asian products kind of went out with Glam ...

Posted Fri, Jan 6, 10:02 a.m.

Crosscut should either broaden its scope, or change their subhead to “News of the Seattle Downtown Core Area.”

Posted Sun, Jan 1, 2:55 p.m.

Looks like all that stuff they taught you about officer friendly might not be true. Anyone upset yet?

Posted Sat, Dec 31, 7:39 p.m.

One thing hasn't changed...the focus of elected officials continues on behalf of influential special interests. Biggest problem in the country today.

Posted Fri, Dec 30, 4:07 p.m.

Don't you guys ever talk to Brewster? We’re still waiting for him to finish telling us the rest of the story. http://crosscut.com/2009/12/27/seattle-city-hall/18780/Best-of-2009:-How-Jan-Drago-dragooned-a-Viaduct-solution/ http://crosscut.com/blog/crosscut/18899/When-Chopp-speaks%2C-parse-it-closely/

Posted Thu, Dec 29, 9:10 a.m.

Don't forget a little "thank you" honk as you pass through Montlake. You're paying an extra 1-2 billion dollars in tolls so they can pretend you're not there.

Posted Tue, Dec 27, 2:49 p.m.

Thousands of Seattle-area commuters will participate in an ambitious experiment so that a second richly entitled and represented neighborhood won't have to see it...hear it...or smell it.

Posted Mon, Dec 26, 7:52 p.m.

Great idea that has been advanced in some form or another for at least 40 years. But, then this is truly one of those ideas that is easier to talk about than to ever perfect.

Posted Sun, Dec 25, 10:30 a.m.

Summary. Same special interests directing the same plug and play politicians working on the same to-do lists designed to benefit the few while being underwritten by the many. And so much for having an unbiased news instrument here in Paris on Puget Sound.

Posted Fri, Dec 23, 10:49 a.m.

Sounds like someone left the slider open and another raccoon's in the kitchen.

Posted Thu, Dec 22, 11:41 a.m.

What happened to the Green Tortoise?

Posted Wed, Dec 21, 8:24 a.m.

I think history will show that taxidermy would have been the best solution for the viaduct.

Posted Thu, Dec 15, 2:23 p.m.

I admire your knowledge -jputnam but your mixture of apples and bowling balls sprinkled with global factoids about whether "collisions" are "accidents" and why accidents aren’t “inevitable and horrible” in Europe don’t really address the issue. My concern is injuries and their prevention. You say “helmets are good” but then ...

Posted Thu, Dec 15, 10:56 a.m.

In the US railroad right of ways are considered to be private property. And since Corporations are “people,” and money is “free speech,” and the 2010 Citizens United ruling removes any limits on corporate political spending, good luck in legislating any of it back. But it sounds like the railroads ...

Posted Wed, Dec 14, 1:12 a.m.

I guess we'll see. The mandatory use of helmets for motorcycles was eventually adopted over time in spite of rebuttals similar to yours…same for daytime use of headlights. Elective use of evolving technology for protective gear is yet to be determined but there’s no reason to believe that a case ...

Posted Tue, Dec 13, 6:56 p.m.

-GaryP I was replying to –mhays about safety issues for people who ride bicycles. I think it’s important. I also believe that the article is correct in its assumptions about inconsistent enforcement no matter who hits who. Obviously more people are injured by cars than any other mode of transport. ...

Posted Tue, Dec 13, 6:09 p.m.

If serious numbers of people ever choose to commute on bicycles you're going to see a lot more of this. There are some remarkable body armor products today, much of it in Europe. Helmet laws have proven their value in reducing head injuries. Anyone who was serious about their personal ...

Posted Tue, Dec 13, 4:59 p.m.

I don’t see any mention of pedestrians hit by bicyclists. There were several this last summer and a woman was killed by a cyclist in Renton. Anyway, what about requirements for specific standards for commuter bicycles and rider’s protective gear allowed on streets to be shared with automobiles. Bikes should ...

Posted Sun, Dec 11, 12:21 p.m.

I'm trying to quit. I thought I would just support it until I needed glasses. But -mhays there are commuters who will continue to use the mobility of the car to seek out convenient parking that's close to things they want to buy wherever it is. Like crocodiles during the ...

Posted Sun, Dec 11, 8:58 a.m.

Kent will likely continue to enjoy increasing business from consumers who choose to drive cars.

Posted Fri, Dec 9, 1:37 p.m.

Milepost 31 aside, I think we’re going to discover that the entire viaduct replacement project will turn out to be an act of whimsy by the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Posted Fri, Dec 9, 11:05 a.m.

No shortage of walk-ins, that's for sure.

Posted Fri, Dec 9, 8:19 a.m.

Better idea...give the space to Northwest Harvest, and you tell us the back story about the viaduct/520 deal?

Posted Wed, Dec 7, 9:53 p.m.

No more incumbents...how hard can it be ?

Posted Wed, Dec 7, 9:46 p.m.

I would rather they take the 500K and pay the Crosscut brass to finish telling us the rest of the Mar. 26, 2009 tale "When Chopp speaks, parse it closely" of how the viaduct scam really went down. http://crosscut.com/blog/crosscut/18899/When-Chopp-speaks%2C-parse-it-closely/ Crosscut could use the money…voters could enjoy hearing a little truth…and ...

Posted Sat, Dec 3, 9:27 p.m.

Are we to assume that this article about NYC has any bearing on Seattle? Their rail system has great capacity and goes where people want to go. This is apples and bowling balls. They have way better pizza too.

Posted Fri, Dec 2, 10:18 p.m.

And if it could also accommodate a lane running each way it might mitigate the congestion due to the limited capacity of the tunnel. Son of Viaduct...good idea.

Posted Tue, Nov 29, 1:36 p.m.

Gee...I don't know. They all look so good. OK -mhays you got me. I'm laughing. If the viaduct has to go, then I would focus on whatever plans provide a bypass for downtown. Regardless of where anyone stands on cars, there's nothing to be gained by forcing tens of thousands ...

Posted Tue, Nov 29, 12:31 p.m.

I see your point -gabowker. But when you think about the money wasted on one neighborhood, the devious process used to advance this mess, and the resulting impact on the region's mobility, you'd think that someone should be wearing an orange jump suit and picking up cans along the highway. ...

Posted Tue, Nov 29, 10:11 a.m.

You mean it's not really a "seismic death trap" after all? We could've really retained the transportation features and also had an amenity for the waterfront? That must mean that someone wasn't telling us the truth.

Posted Tue, Nov 29, 8:22 a.m.

Unfortunately the "get real" train left town when special interests blocked any elevated design proposals for the waterfront. Aside from the damage to mobility and access with the congestion producing tunnel/park, the city loses any designs that could have incorporated the structure itself into a vibrant, interesting partially covered environment ...

Posted Mon, Nov 28, 3:37 p.m.

And still not one word about the tens of billions of dollars in corporate tax exemptions and deferments that are kicked down the road year after year on behalf of special interests by virtually every elected public servant in this state.

Posted Sat, Nov 26, 4:16 p.m.

Todays “corporate journalism" confuses issues with words like gridlock and stalemate in articles about entitlements and healthcare. It gives the impression that both sides of the aisle are working on positive outcomes when clearly one side wants to sustain programs while the other wants to terminate them. Sadly, it's actually ...

Posted Wed, Nov 23, 3:07 p.m.

I jumped the gun. They all look feasible to me. Thanks again.

Posted Wed, Nov 23, 2:53 p.m.

So, all by district. Thanks.

Posted Wed, Nov 23, 1:33 p.m.

Don't stop...what would be a recommendation for the structural changes assuming the force applied to the object by special interests is constant?

Posted Wed, Nov 23, 10:30 a.m.

Seattle commuters care about mobility and having a time-saving bypass for down town. Taking those factors into account are critical to making anyone who doesn’t live downtown give a rip what Corner or the cadre conjures up. There are 90 other neighborhoods in Seattle that are getting by on very ...

Posted Tue, Nov 22, 10:09 p.m.

And how does that address the issue of mediocre, rubber-stamp leadership lavishing most of their attention on special interests? How do different monkeys, even those with political experience, make a difference if you have the same organ grinders? Current events would suggest that masters of the unpleasant world of retail ...

Posted Tue, Nov 22, 2:14 p.m.

A good start would be to elect the council by districts. Our current "at large" system creates mediocre, rubber-stamp leadership who lavish most of their attention on special interests and a few affluent neighborhoods. At least the rest of the hoods would have someone to call about the basics...potholes, sidewalks, ...

Posted Mon, Nov 21, 10:55 p.m.

Great article. I am always amazed when I see discussions about lane space, curb space, and signal timing as some kind of forward thinking, 21st century transportation vision. All of these things have been in application and refinement in most of the rest of the country since before there were ...

Posted Mon, Nov 21, 10:31 p.m.

The Super Committee merely provided cover for legislators on both sides of the aisle by reducing names associated with any legislation. These games will continue through the ramp up to the election. The problems of trying to govern from beneath the increasing weight of special interests are becoming more acute. ...

Posted Mon, Nov 21, 5:09 p.m.

If you visit the TYEE also don't miss reading "Wake up and Listen to Occupiers." It's a great reference for those of us who still insist that we just can't quite figure out those pesky, goldarn protesters.

Posted Mon, Nov 21, 9:13 a.m.

After frittering away 3-5 billion tax dollars on enormously expensive, congestion producing schemes for the viaduct replacement and the I-520 bridge termination to benefit a few special interests rather than commuters, our legislators and their pocket-experts are now pressing ahead with another most expensive, least efficient scheme for adopting rail. ...

Posted Fri, Nov 18, 7:18 p.m.

I'm surprised that every post on this blog isn't focused on this very topic. It's at the core of virtually every single problem we have in the country today. Hello....? Oh sorry...still talking about density and grocery bags?

Posted Fri, Nov 18, 9:53 a.m.

Thank you Rep. Baird for the brass to bite, grip and hold until you achieved these results, and to Pete Jackson for writing about it, even if it is in the bundled pop-news column. Hopefully Mr. Jackson, or someone from the 4th estate, will do a comprehensive piece on this ...

Posted Thu, Nov 17, 7:45 a.m.

Since the Occupy Movement, and the Tea Party for that matter, are focused on what are clearly some of the greatest economic crimes in the history of the world you should stop snarking about how bored you are with them, and start writing about these issues every single day. I ...

Posted Wed, Nov 16, 4:39 p.m.

-mhays is right. Negligence in following rules and regulations is often treated lightly, even when it results in a catastrophic event.

Posted Wed, Nov 16, 4:22 p.m.

Or they could be reporting their earnings in Nevada and piling up a couple billion cash in unpaid WA royalties..? Nah, no one could get away with that.

Posted Tue, Nov 15, 2:13 p.m.

Leaving entitlements on the table, while deferring revenue issues (including the poisonous Bush tax cuts) is a sell-out of colossal proportions. No need for drama or excuses or angst about time running out...just pull the plug on this dubious committee and go back to square one.

Posted Mon, Nov 14, 5:57 p.m.

Leaving entitlements on the table, while deferring tax revenue issues (including the poisonous Bush tax cuts) is a sell-out of colossal proportions. No escape hatch necessary, no need for drama...just pull the plug on this sooper kommittee and go on to the next thing.

Posted Mon, Nov 14, 5:25 p.m.

Similar history with the MOHAI and the Shelby-Hamlin and Montlake neighborhoods who have wanted to kick the museum out for decades. It attracted too many outsiders to the area. How fortunate that part of the current termination plan for 520 was also a fait accompli for this problem.

Posted Sun, Nov 13, 7:20 p.m.

Great article. Do you think that a more forthright portrayal of the forgery, illegal break-ins, manufacturing of evidence, or the scaring of Americans into or out of anything under Hoover would resonate with contemporary audiences? Since 9/11 all of this has become business as usual with even the most egregious ...

Posted Sun, Nov 13, 6:21 p.m.

So 2 or 3 downtown neighborhoods are expecting big windfalls, while the other 90+ hoods in the city are still waiting for someone to fill a pot hole or at least take their phone calls. You can't make this stuff up. Anyone ready for electing the city council by districts ...

Posted Fri, Nov 11, 11:49 a.m.

The viaduct survived the last quake nicely. The WSDOT's own consultant stated that it can be built with contemporary seismic protections. I am amazed that no one explored the incorporation of the viaduct with it's view corridors and cover from rain, with the walks and shops and activity areas along ...

Posted Fri, Nov 11, 10:34 a.m.

There is a growing realization that elected officials have been subordinated by corporate and special interests in setting political agendas and determining legislative outcomes. This contributes to voter apathy. Recent court rulings like Citizens United also add to this here in a country where corporations are people and money is ...

Posted Thu, Nov 10, 8:09 p.m.

Seattle should splash some water in its face and forget about "bolder transportation" scams and prepare to deal with the real damage done to the mobility and access of commuters with the tunnel and the I-520 mess. These ill conceived congestion producing projects are mistakes of gigantic proportions and should ...

Posted Wed, Nov 9, 8:28 p.m.

Author could be a little more respectful of the lowly Seattle tax payer, who is footing the bill for all this "secret sauce" whether they can afford it or not.

Posted Wed, Nov 9, 8:24 p.m.

Results just reflect current national dilemma. Heavily funded incumbent clones aligned with special interests, re-elected by less than half of a disillusioned voter base. So what else is new?

Posted Tue, Nov 8, 1:05 p.m.

Mr.Dublin's post assumes that those responsible for this aberration were ever concerned about transit capacity. Given the cost/benefits, this is arguably the most irresponsible capital project in the country.

Posted Tue, Nov 8, 6:47 a.m.

What the space cries out for (along with a few million commuters) is a configuration where the rights of ways already exist. That already handles 110,000 vehicles a day. That already provides a bypass for downtown and off ramps for the core, Ballard and West Seattle. That meets the demands ...

Posted Fri, Nov 4, 8:22 p.m.

But by God we're gonna' have ourselves a 4.5 billion dollar tunnel.

Posted Fri, Nov 4, 1:38 p.m.

Yeah...they still allow cars down there. I hear it makes it easy to get around.

Posted Fri, Nov 4, 10:11 a.m.

Exceptionally powerful special interests + exceptionally weak elected officials + exceptional amount$ of money = ???. OK, here’s a musical hint….a one and’a two…”The bluest skies you’ll ever see are in, (CLASS ?) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ !

Posted Thu, Nov 3, 3:08 p.m.

Anderson's article was spot on when it first appeared 7 years ago. Every time he updates it for consideration the state finds itself even deeper in the hole. How much more RIGHT do you want Anderson to be before someone does the obvious? Isn't this exactly the kind of thing ...

Posted Thu, Nov 3, 1:46 p.m.

So you endorse starting with cuts to Social Security and Medicaid over regulatory concessions and subsidies to special interests, or the ballooning defense budget, or the costs of artificial wars? You realize that while a cut might go unnoticed by some, it might drive others into homelessness, or worse. And ...

Posted Thu, Nov 3, 8 a.m.

The inordinate amount of spin and PR funded by special interests to confuse and obfuscate issues is as much a reason for the city’s direction as anything consciously done by our elected leadership. Seattle has become an example of what cities who are struggling mightily against self-serving special interests can ...

Posted Wed, Nov 2, 8:09 p.m.

This article was spot on when it first appeared 7 years ago. Every time Anderson updates it for consideration the state finds itself even deeper in the hole. How much more RIGHT do you want Anderson to be before someone does the obvious? Isn't this exactly the kind of thing ...

Posted Wed, Nov 2, 3:04 p.m.

You think this is annoying...wait until the viaduct is gone, the boring machine is stuck somewhere downtown and some mouthpiece from the WSDOT says, "You know, I think our calculations are outdated. I wonder what a new elevated roadway would cost?"

Posted Tue, Nov 1, 1:29 p.m.

Hard to believe that Washington State politicians and bureaucrats would actually lie? That would be awfully frustrating to voters wouldn't it? Might want to make them just vote everyone OUT, and start over. I mean, how hard can it be?

Posted Sat, Oct 29, 12:22 p.m.

This new kind of benign protest may be all that's left if special interests have finally achieved irrevocable control over government and the legislative process. Everyone likes to believe that there are still ways to leverage corrections into the system with their votes, or prayers, or charities, or those long ...

Posted Sat, Oct 29, 9:14 a.m.

Anything to pay for that Disneyland termination for Montlake.

Posted Fri, Oct 28, 9:05 p.m.

After being incapable of reporting any honest facts about the damage done to the transportation matrix of the city with the removal of the viaduct, the Times gives us this video brochure inspired by special interests (many who don't even live here) who wish to reconfigure downtown for the purpose ...

Posted Fri, Oct 28, 4:12 p.m.

Maybe now is the time to stop playing games and seriously consider the cost of catering to every special interest in Olympia with their hand out. Does anybody think that this occurs out of sight anymore? We see you.

Posted Fri, Oct 28, 10:28 a.m.

Now that's a pot stirrer if there ever was one. Or, it could be all that alcohol and tobacco consumed in those smoky back rooms of the era made for enhanced decision making and leadership skills ?

Posted Thu, Oct 27, 1:12 p.m.

It is a beautiful spot and worth taking the time to visit. I hope its future is secure.

Posted Wed, Oct 26, 5:11 p.m.

...you got me -GaryP. Good one.

Posted Wed, Oct 26, 4:19 p.m.

In the midst of all this confusion and hand wringing about legitimate transportation issues and how to fund them, our sacred pair of multi-billion dollar, congestion producing, vanity projects are steaming right along. Lest we forget, the waterfront tunnel/park and the Disneyland option for the I-520 bridge will cost 4-5 ...

Posted Tue, Oct 25, 2:58 p.m.

Spending millions on paint and PR to encourage pedestrians and cyclists into close proximity to automobiles is as much a part of the increase in accidents as anything. I wouldn't be surprised if some precedent for liability isn't set due to transportation planners experimenting with half-baked designs and scenarios that ...

Posted Mon, Oct 24, 3:08 p.m.

So you were just pulling our leg about the pros and cons of an "at large" vs. "by district" council? Isn't it in the SUBHEAD following your oh-so-clever HEADLINE? With all this obtuse political humor, I cannot resist repeating this old comic saying..."You can pick your nose, and you can ...

Posted Mon, Oct 24, 10:02 a.m.

I see nothing here that says Seattle shouldn't change to “by district” elections of the city council. The author states that, "our at-large council can be uninterested in matters such as road and sidewalk repair in Ballard or West Seattle or provision of better bus service or public safety in ...

Posted Sun, Oct 23, 6:57 p.m.

-TaylorB1 you're answering part of the question by conducting your quiz in midtown when there are 90 other designated neighborhoods in the city. And whether or not they get an A on your who’s who list, they definitely understand that with our current system a few special interests and neighborhoods ...

Posted Sun, Oct 23, 3:29 p.m.

Electing the council by districts is a first step for broader representation for the whole city and it would be a big bonus if it resulted in all brand new members.

Posted Sun, Oct 23, 9:01 a.m.

Sadly, it will also mark a fond farewell to hundreds of businesses by thousands of their customers who discover that it's just too hard to visit downtown anymore.

Posted Fri, Oct 21, 4:49 p.m.

Won't be long now...should be just like Paris around here by next summer. World class city...HERE WE COME ! Sacré bleu! I hev left my béret and stripy chemise in zee Café.

Posted Fri, Oct 21, 12:40 p.m.

I don't know about "many years ago" but right now our council is one rubber stamp with nine handles on it. There are plenty of engaged and informed citizens in Seattle who are frustrated at having no access to the back rooms where the "process" is conducted. Special interests subordinating ...

Posted Thu, Oct 20, 9:15 p.m.

Transportation planning voodoo working on behalf of special interests is the reason tax payers bear the cost of the most expensive versions of megaprojects like the waterfront tunnel and the 520 bridge termination and receive the least capacity and mobility for it. It’s the biggest problem we have in the ...

Posted Thu, Oct 20, 10:26 a.m.

This angst about religion wouldn't be an issue if we refused to allow it to become part of the discourse. The benefits would be that information about the candidates could be more focused on their chops for public service...and candidates would be free to worship watermelons if they wanted.

Posted Thu, Oct 20, 10:08 a.m.

The entire council should be elected by districts. It's the first step in getting broader representation for the entire city, rather than just a few special interests and affluent neighborhoods. If not then we should reduce the number of council members to 3 or 4. They are the highest paid ...

Posted Wed, Oct 19, 11:41 a.m.

Great article. It's amazing how much of the interview brings to mind the classic Peter Sellers movie "Being There."

Posted Wed, Oct 19, 11:12 a.m.

Glad to hear that this issue of toll allocation may already be addressed in state law. I’m not surprised by your concerns about the courts or the nature of this legislation since much of our system has been subordinated by special interests. So hammer away…what better use of forums like ...

Posted Tue, Oct 18, 7:39 p.m.

A better idea would be to reduce the number of signatures needed to get an initiative to the legislature. That way everyone can get a clear map of who supports what before going forward with really contentious issues. It would compensate for the absence of any real news component serving ...

Posted Tue, Oct 18, 3:03 p.m.

I agree with -Lincoln on 1125. The cross allocation of toll revenue from one project to another promotes extravagance on projects like the Montlake termination of 520 and encourages the type of backroom deals that resulted in the tunnel.

Posted Mon, Oct 17, 9:42 p.m.

While this is a great article on the mindless nature of Norquist type anti-tax pledges, it takes an unfair shot at Tim Eyman’s initiative 1125 regarding cross-allocation of tolls from one project to another. This all stems from the last several years of back room horse trading in Olympia where ...

Posted Mon, Oct 17, 8:48 a.m.

If you think you miss the Sonics, just wait until the "ugly concrete barrier" is gone. Honk if you love the Viaduct.

Posted Sat, Oct 15, 2:12 p.m.

I feel your pain...but you and I will be long gone before there's any significant reduction in our use of privately owned commuter vehicles. Technology will compensate for the changing preferences or availability of various fuels and even that is going to take a while. Formulas about energy and vehicle ...

Posted Wed, Oct 12, 4:47 p.m.

After listening to the protesters it’s obvious that they are upset, as is just about everyone else, by some or all of the following that occurred during eight years of Bush and two years of Obama, This is not complete, nor in any particular order: 2+ trillion dollars spent on ...

Posted Wed, Oct 12, 11:38 a.m.

Another suggestion would be candidates who are elected "by districts" instead of the current "at large" council, who vote pretty much in lock-step with a few special interests and affluent neighborhoods. It's at least a first step in getting broader representation for the rest of the city. If not, then ...

Posted Tue, Oct 11, 11:51 p.m.

With virtually no discernable difference between the left and the right, what possibly can be accomplished by moderates? The government is subordinate to special interests so all this talk about politics and politicians is only a distraction. As the light shines brighter on the elements within our system that are ...

Posted Tue, Oct 11, 12:17 p.m.

Richard Borkowski’s post is spot on. The protesters aren’t naïve, misinformed or ignorant. They’re people who are aware of the threats to our quality of life or who are suffering from the iniquities caused by those who have gamed the system, subordinated our government and are stealing the money with ...

Posted Mon, Oct 10, 1:22 p.m.

The problem is that you would still have the same organ grinders, just different monkeys. But it might be one of the few instances when outsourcing something would be good for the country. Let China oversee our SEC, Wall Street and bank oversight. They have a different attitude about business ...

Posted Sun, Oct 9, 11:11 p.m.

An obvious solution would be sunset provisions for all state tax exemptions. If legitimate, they can be reinstated. This has gotten plenty of lip service for the last 20 years, but no real action out of fear of offending special interests. Legislators who object to putting in the time and ...

Posted Sun, Oct 9, 8:59 a.m.

It's about corporations and special interests who have subordinated government and are stealing the money with the lights on in broad daylight. So much for hard hitting, intuitive, street smart journalism.

Posted Sat, Oct 8, 11:35 p.m.

The negative impact on our ability to negotiate around and through downtown when the viaduct is gone will ensure that the discussion of the tunnel will go on for a long time. I think that the "process" behind this aberration would also qualify for a segment on 60 minutes.

Posted Fri, Oct 7, 2:16 p.m.

I find it amusing that the protesters are being criticized for having the audacity to question the geniuses who run our banks and Wall Street. The countries that weathered the collapse were the ones that admitted that they didn't understand what the hell our visionaries on Wall Street were doing ...

Posted Thu, Oct 6, 3:47 p.m.

One way to relieve the council's worries about neighborhoods is to scrap the "at large" representation and elect the council from "districts." The council currently spends most of its time in service to a few affluent neighborhoods, and this would at least be a first step in providing some attention ...

Posted Thu, Oct 6, 3:33 p.m.

Eight years of the most ruinous national leadership in our history, followed by two years of pretty much the same from this administration. A trillion dollars spent on a phony war and several questionable international police actions plus loss of life. Conservative estimates of 2.5 million mfg. jobs and 850K ...

Posted Thu, Oct 6, 2:05 p.m.

The rhino in the room continues to be the colossal effort that went into avoiding an honest, heads up tunnel or elevated vote. It certainly wasn’t about trying to achieve the best transportation solution for the region…a fact that will become painfully apparent in the near future. I wish Mr. ...

Posted Tue, Oct 4, 10:53 a.m.

Shouldn't the end of the subhead be..."and tie together Crosscut and the Seattle Foundation's Web site for the rich." Where's my hat?

Posted Sun, Oct 2, 3:39 p.m.

Obama should have been channeling Scoop Jackson while he figured out who he wanted to be. It would have provided him with some cover from tea bag and right wing flack while he pursued his domestic agenda. And it may turn out that that’s who he is anyway.

Posted Thu, Sep 29, 9:46 p.m.

Imagine that...elected officials who are in the tank for wealthy special interests. Biggest threat to America today. Sleep tight...maybe it will all just go away.

Posted Tue, Sep 27, 8:35 a.m.

The New England Phronographers Union mentioned in MacDonald’s post might detect a few oohs and aahs from local architects and the author fawning over the new Brightwater plant, but that would certainly be drowned out by tens of thousands of rate payers who open their new mega-water bills with a ...

Posted Sat, Sep 24, 3:45 p.m.

...and a generator for the computer and TV, and a chemical toilet and a Murphy sleeping bag and a bikeport and a hydroponic grow sack and "Shazam” you have another over priced pocket-condo scaled for the urban village.

Posted Fri, Sep 23, 11:11 a.m.

WOW. Until this little news biscuit, every article I've read about Brightwater in the last 5 or 6 years sounded like it was an enormously expensive 3 stooges movie. I guess in the last day or so, they've rounded up all the lost and broken tunnel machines and figured out ...

Posted Mon, Sep 19, 12:17 p.m.

He should fit right in to a group who operates in lock-step servicing a small group of special interests, mostly focused on issues in a few affluent neighborhoods. Until our “at large” city council changes to a body that is elected “by districts” what difference does it make if half ...

Posted Sat, Sep 17, 9:51 a.m.

Just for sake of conversation, how would cyclists feel about sharing these new allocations of road space with inline skaters and skateboarders..? Both are legitimate modes of transportation and would further advance this current push to restrict people's use of automobiles. Then all commuters would be equal...no second class citizens ...

Posted Tue, Sep 13, 9:38 p.m.

-SherwinLee You should spend a week in East Vancouver…enjoy that raw density sweetened with the edginess of marginal infrastructure. What, you mean like we’re promoting here? There’s more required than just cramming people into warrens of high rise condominiums. Things like corresponding levels of taxation; special service districts, cultural/social issues, ...

Posted Tue, Sep 13, 8:30 p.m.

Probably that the majority of us already knew...that the viaduct was, and remains, the superior solution for the waterfront. Forgive me but this issue compels me to says this one more time...what do you get when you cross a hyena with a slot machine ? ...something that takes your money ...

Posted Tue, Sep 13, 10:36 a.m.

The physical realities of greatly dissimilar vehicles operating within the same close boundaries will always create situations that have deadly outcomes. In spite of how articulate or artful is the demand by cyclists for equality on the road, their safety will ultimately be determined by whether or not a dedicated ...

Posted Mon, Sep 12, 7:48 a.m.

This mouse reference also brings to mind those great old 16mm films we slept through in high school biology class. I recall one about population density where a Brilliantined guy in a lab coat kept adding mice to a little plywood “mouse community” until the increasingly agitated residents began fighting, ...

Posted Mon, Sep 12, 7:19 a.m.

I think you can safely add the Alaskan Way Viaduct to this list. The reasons, that are obvious to most people, will become immediately clear for everyone when it's gone.

Posted Sun, Sep 11, 8:35 p.m.

It's happening folks...the rats are now actually in the pantry...stealing the cheese right in front of you in broad daylight. Are you upset yet? Can you speak? Can you even write a letter? Oh, still confused? Too complicated? Well...maybe later.

Posted Sat, Sep 10, 10:04 a.m.

The mayor shouldn't feel uncomfortable about the tunnel. There will be plenty of embarrassment to go around, particularly for tunnel promoters, before it’s done.

Posted Sat, Sep 10, 9:56 a.m.

Well it’s definitely a matter of national significance since it perpetuates a terro-industrial complex upon which we’ve spent a trillion (with a T) dollars in the last decade.

Posted Mon, Sep 5, 10:46 a.m.

But think about how cool it's going to look from your helicopter. Oh, you don't have one either..?

Posted Sun, Sep 4, 4 p.m.

Of course the tragedy is that we will never know where the pro-elevated voters live, although I suspect they are everywhere and in huge numbers.

Posted Wed, Aug 31, 10:14 a.m.

I guess all that density finally caught up with them.

Posted Mon, Aug 29, 1:20 p.m.

The enormous pledge of tax payer’s dollars by our recent and current elected leaders for SLU are not appearing as frequently in these little PR "newlettes" like this one and Westneat's latest in the Times. For a reminder, with numbers and a perspective befitting these hard economic times, you can ...

Posted Mon, Aug 22, 8:37 a.m.

Too bad Mr. Berger didn't collaborate with Mr. Brewster on this article. What a perfect opportunity for reviewing again the manipulation and back room dealings that resulted in the most expensive, least efficient transportation solutions for both the AWV and the 520 bridge. Hopefully you guys will write a book ...

Posted Fri, Aug 19, 3:11 p.m.

Well then I guess I should have said that hopefully this tunnel mess may "likely" motivate some angry tax payers to become angry voting tax payers by election time. I can't argue with you guys about your reading of the tea leaves at this point except that it's still early ...

Posted Thu, Aug 18, 12:05 p.m.

That's another myth Mr Baker. The tunnel doesn't go "through" anything. It doesn't follow the AWV route. It terminates near Seattle Center and SLU. You know, kind of a nice little 2 billion dollar route for limos coming from the airport. But the rest of the traffic must find a ...

Posted Thu, Aug 18, 11:33 a.m.

No apology necessary bubbleator. None of this voting was relevant to the project. The agendas and the outcomes were determined in someone's office. But who knows...the final version of this expensive tunnel mess might finally motivate some angry inert tax payers to become angry VOTING tax payers at election time?

Posted Wed, Aug 17, 10:09 p.m.

This vote does not put the tunnel issue behind us. It actually presents a clear benchmark for supporters of the elevated solution, who still represent a majority of frustrated tax payers, to measure candidates for upcoming elections. It already reflects in the soft support for some of the most strident ...

Posted Wed, Aug 17, 9:05 p.m.

I respect your opinion -Mr Baker, just don't buy it. First I am NOT an advocate of either of the options voted on in this latest fake vote. I endorse, like the majority of voters, a rebuilt viaduct. The structure is not a contiguous structure...it's like 3 tables sitting end ...

Posted Wed, Aug 17, 8:49 p.m.

More's the pity -Mannix, more's the pity. But please do buy Carey and Samantha a Mojito for me. Sorry I can't meet with you guys downtown because I, you know...have to work.

Posted Wed, Aug 17, 3:58 p.m.

This transportation project was sub-optimized by special interests who intentionally lobbied for two inferior solutions (tunnel or surface) so that the superior existing configuration (elevated) would be torn down with no consideration for replacement. The non-transportation related motives for this, I assume, was to reconfigure and enhance real estate in ...

Posted Wed, Aug 17, 12:14 p.m.

While articles like this are designed to slam the door on the AWV story the truth remains that there are still a majority of voters who would choose to replace the viaduct if ever given an honest forum in which vote. This most recent charade is as much of a ...

Posted Wed, Aug 17, 11:53 a.m.

Are you sure about the 10 years for the new elevated? More has been spent on PR firms pitching the tunnel than on truthfully evaluating a new elevated.

Posted Wed, Aug 17, 11:02 a.m.

While articles like this are designed to slam the door on the AWV story the truth remains that there are still a majority of voters who would choose to replace the viaduct if ever given an honest forum in which vote. This most recent charade is as much of a ...

Posted Wed, Aug 17, 10:57 a.m.

While articles like this are designed to slam the door on the AWV story the truth remains that there are still a majority of voters who would choose to replace the viaduct if ever given an honest forum in which vote. This most recent charade is as much of a ...

Posted Sat, Aug 13, 2:27 p.m.

Cool site -orino, Remember Cushman Eagles? Not nearly as elegant as your Vespas but fun in their day. Also those unique custom scooters from the Mods and Rockers era in the UK. I saw a handbill for a "Quadraphenia" exhibit somewhere and there were several exotic scooters with multiple headlights ...

Posted Fri, Aug 12, 12:28 p.m.

This is another perfect example of why our currently "at large" council should be elected by "districts." It would be a start in breaking up this current lock step in which they all march and would divide their focus to include issues spread across the city. Right now most of ...

Posted Fri, Aug 12, 7:52 a.m.

Truly a bad deal for Seattle. The viaduct has always been the superior transportation option, but will now be sacrificed for the sake of a few developers downtown. A few special interests benefit and the rest of the community pays for it with their tax dollars and their time wasted ...

Posted Thu, Aug 11, 7:59 a.m.

No surprises here...just more voices from the majority of voters who have endorsed an elevated solution throughout this entire process. Hopefully common sense can drive this to the logical conclusion of maintaining the capacities, access and cost effectiveness of a modern elevated roadway for regional commuters.

Posted Wed, Aug 10, 11:35 a.m.

Like the referendum in 2007, this vote will only serve as a distraction and ensure that the choices continue to be between the two worst ideas. I think they call it sub-optimization. You're right about the balance though...both bad ideas are equally promoted in this article.

Posted Wed, Aug 10, 10:29 a.m.

-fgruben you have no idea what the motives are behind this article. But if you look at what has gone before, you will see that the tactic used by the tunnel/surface folks was to sweep the superior elevated option off of the table in Dec. 2008 and then pretend it ...

Posted Wed, Aug 10, 6:23 a.m.

And of course the real purpose of this silly article is to gloss over the fact that an elevated solution is still the superior option for the corridor and that the majority of voters still prefer it. Murray should be ashamed to have his name attached to this kind of ...

Posted Tue, Aug 9, 9:05 a.m.

It's a work in progress -andy...ask me in a hundred years.

Posted Mon, Aug 8, 1:32 p.m.

-mspat is right about one of the biggest misconceptions about the tunnel, that it doesn't even follow the route of the AWV nor is it intended to measure up to it as a transportation asset. Its purpose is to allow a reconfiguring of a portion of downtown and serve as ...

Posted Mon, Aug 8, 9:05 a.m.

What a great article. I won't embarrass myself trying to critique it, so I'll just donate 25 bucks. Thanks.

Posted Fri, Aug 5, 1:08 p.m.

The obvious answer remains that no other proposed configuration for the AWV matches the existing viaduct in any transportation related category. The rights of ways already exist. The configuration already can handle 110,000 vehicles a day. It already provides a bypass for downtown and off ramps for the core, Ballard ...

Posted Thu, Aug 4, 10:16 p.m.

The WSDOT's own consultant T.Y. Lin determined that a refurbished or new viaduct with current seismic standards and serviceability of 75 to 100 years could be built for less than the cost of the current tunnel/surface option. There were irrelevant criteria that allowed the state droids to shoot it down, ...

Posted Wed, Aug 3, 9:46 p.m.

Gloomy - even Frank Chopp preferred a new viaduct, but decided to barter it away for a Disneyland termination for the 520 bridge in his Montlake neighborhood. In a March 26, 2009 Brewster article called, ”When Chopp Speaks Parse It Closely” right here in Crosscut he writes, “Chopp wants the ...

Posted Wed, Aug 3, 8:07 a.m.

RE: Comments about comments The proportional cost of the retrofit compared to the cost of a new viaduct is irrelevant when either cost is much less than the tunnel option. The statements about an elevated solution being a non-starter because of the passion of some urban hobbyists and developers is ...

Posted Tue, Aug 2, 8:53 a.m.

Another brochure from Brewster promoting the tunnel. At least this time he included the link about Jan Drago's phony referendum designed to confuse issues and overrule the majority of voters and the WSDOT who preferred an elevated solution. This entire back-room scam happened in Dec. 2008 when a few tunnel ...

Posted Mon, Aug 1, 3:04 p.m.

You'll have to run a series if you want to include all of the liars involved in this mess. This kind of "jokey" insider take on the crew behind this project would be amusing if it didn't involve BILLIONS of wasted tax dollars. And in the end...an elevated viaduct is ...

Posted Mon, Aug 1, 2:33 p.m.

San Francisco had the capacity of 1, 101, 280, 80 etc. to ameliorate the displaced traffic from the Embarcadero. Seattle will have nothing…just gridlock. Viaduct opponents should realize that its effectiveness as a bypass makes possible all kinds of car-less strategies for the downtown core while still providing a way ...

Posted Fri, Jul 29, 12:01 p.m.

The misinformation (like this article) has come from special interests whose only goal is to tear down the viaduct to enhance some property downtown. No thought given to the loss of what is far and away the best transportation solution for the waterfront. Even the WSDOT believed that a viaduct ...

Posted Wed, Jul 27, 3 p.m.

Great article. The access and administrative favors lavished on the few at the expense of the many by the council is like watching a political version of Groundhog Day. It’s also a good reason to consider electing the council by districts. It’s a start for imposing at least some accountability ...

Posted Wed, Jul 27, 10:55 a.m.

Somehow your posts have a certain, “Do you have Prince Albert in a can?” quality, but I’ll take one more chance that you’re serious. Do you not have a visual understanding of the fabric of the city as it exists on a horizontal flat plane? This wonderland that you defend ...

Posted Tue, Jul 26, 12:58 p.m.

CORRECTION: The important thing to remember in this entire debate is that congestion for the community at large is a BAD thing. But, if downtown core areas really are in the business of congestion then they must provide commuters of the region a bypass allowing them to pass through it. ...

Posted Wed, Jul 20, 4:46 p.m.

How many of the second highest paid city council members in the United States does it take to envision such a forward thinking, lunch-wagon distribution matrix that appears to be so wrong that it has upset nearly everyone? I would submit that it takes less than nine. And at over ...

Posted Tue, Jul 19, 4:51 p.m.

The surface option is the most astounding of the alternatives for the waterfront because it has always been the least plausible. It only exists today because of its usefulness in obfuscating the issues and avoiding any honest comparison between a tunnel or an elevated. Tunnel proponents have known throughout the ...

Posted Tue, Jul 19, 12:58 p.m.

The tunnel wasn't mulled over for decades. Special interest "stakeholders" jammed it into the mix in Dec. of 2008 after the discovery institute received a message from the almighty about a new drill in town. The validity of the rebuild is covered by the WSDOTs own consultant who stated that ...

Posted Mon, Jul 18, 4:04 p.m.

Yeah, but we’re gonna’ have a tunnel that will make like our front door for the city. Where you can like pay a fee and then enter from the water and then just ‘be downtown.” Then, when you want to go to Bellevue you can’t take the front door because ...

Posted Fri, Jul 15, 11:25 a.m.

Another pro-tunnel brochure...this time disguised as big-shot, back room, insider intrigue. The majority of voters still prefer the viaduct and those numbers are growing as facts emerge about costs, routes, increased congestion, etc. That's why it's important that you are directed to similar articles "here, here and here" rather than ...

Posted Fri, Jul 8, 11:27 a.m.

The need and desire for mobility is not in decline. The age of the automobile is not ending. The criteria for the corridor should emphasize "transportation" as in "moving things efficiently from one place to another." For the great majority of us the issues with the waterfront have nothing to ...

Posted Thu, Jul 7, 9:06 a.m.

Unfortunately articles like this, whether promoting aesthetics or the environment or this weird desire to have Seattle be a city in Europe, quickly brush over the eminent mess of diverting thousands of commuters into a congestive “neverland” that is never quite explained and for which there is no realistic solution ...

Posted Wed, Jul 6, 11:59 a.m.

After consistently providing commuters all of the transportation benefits listed in my “diatribe” for almost 60 years, the WSDOT’s own consultant found that the viaduct could be refurbished/rebuilt to current standards for less than the cost of the tunnel…and the punch line is that then it could continue to provide ...

Posted Tue, Jul 5, 10:30 p.m.

The need and desire for mobility is not in decline. The age of the automobile is not ending. For the great majority of us the issues with the waterfront have nothing to do with aesthetics or design or vision or how easy it is to meet Cary and Samantha for ...

Posted Tue, Jul 5, 5:26 p.m.

People choose the viaduct because no other proposed configuration matches it in any transportation related category. The rights of ways already exist. The configuration already can handle 110,000 vehicles a day. It already provides a bypass for downtown and off ramps for the core, Ballard and West Seattle. It already ...

Posted Tue, Jul 5, 10:20 a.m.

Seattle, September 5, 2021 Bumbershoot attendees lined up at the popular “Voters Sound Off” informal polling booth and once again, overwhelmingly chose the viaduct as their first preference for the waterfront…for the TENTH year in a row ! Still time to do the right thing.

Posted Thu, Jun 23, 8:30 p.m.

The article also leaves out the fact that the majority of tax payers still prefer a refurbished or rebuilt viaduct and do not want this speculative, congestion producing perk for downtown developers. I think mayor Nickels fate had more to do with his dismissive, arrogant attitude about the tunnel and ...

Posted Tue, Jun 21, noon

When powerful special interests set the agendas for "at large" city councils, their focus and energy rapidly re-directs to a few affluent neighborhoods and a few grandiose capital projects that benefit people who change things for money. Without electing them by districts the concept of city-wide representation is just a ...

Posted Wed, Jun 15, 9:36 p.m.

This is the biggest threat to the country as it was originally conceived. But apparently everyone seems to like it so let's just party on.

Posted Wed, Jun 15, 11:33 a.m.

Special interests and elected officials have sole responsibility for sacrificing the most common-sense approach to the AWV corridor. Everyone involved with the project knows that a refurbished or rebuilt viaduct is the preference of tax paying voters as well as many transportation professionals who must remain silent to protect their ...

Posted Tue, Jun 14, 8:27 a.m.

I guess along with all the other attributes it has as a transportation asset...capacity, access, affordability, we should refurbish/rebuild the "Observation Viaduct." Still the best view of the city enjoyed by tens of thousands of people every day. Still time to do the right thing.

Posted Fri, Jun 10, 1:27 p.m.

Here's an opportunity for Mr. Brewster to pen another installment of his take on how the monstrously expensive tunnel that is planned for the viaduct begat the monstrously expensive Montlake termination for the 520 Bridge. He started it here back in March of 2009...pretty accurate so far. http://crosscut.com/blog/crosscut/18899/When-Chopp-speaks%2C-parse-it-closely/ While the ...

Posted Thu, Jun 9, 11:03 p.m.

Doesn't this news ask for a moment to at least re-consider this rush to destroy the transportation matrix of the entire city with traffic diverters, re-channelizations, planter strips and wholesale destruction of our most efficient arterials? Or should we just stand around in our tin foil hats and keep pretending ...

Posted Tue, Jun 7, 3:17 p.m.

Ah yes...another re-write of AWV history from the proponents of the least viable option of them all...the surface option. How does this one go? First, knock down the viaduct. Then, when responding to comments about the resulting gridlock, just say, "What gridlock?"

Posted Sun, Jun 5, 7:39 p.m.

When Dr. Albert Schwietzer was asked why he traveled in third class, he said it was because there wasn't a fourth class.

Posted Sat, Jun 4, 10:58 a.m.

Although never honestly measured, the viaduct has been the preference of voters throughout this process. The current tunnel plan provides only half the access and capacity through the downtown core and is twice the cost of a new or refurbished viaduct. The pity is that by the time this monstrosity ...

Posted Thu, Jun 2, 11:19 a.m.

You know enough about construction to call it a mess, but not enough to consider the practical uses of steel bracing above ground, or outriggers, and “no idea” about soils stabilization? And since most studies have been for the purpose of tearing it down, there’s been little real information about ...

Posted Thu, Jun 2, 8:26 a.m.

...country too.

Posted Thu, Jun 2, 8:24 a.m.

Sure I do Wilbur, but the way special interests turn bad ideas into reality is to confuse issues, withhold information, misrepresent facts and lobby behind closed doors until the public gets bored, loses interest and wants to move on to the next shiny thing. This process is arguably the biggest ...

Posted Wed, Jun 1, 10:29 p.m.

Kieth, The Lin study identified a viaduct solution with a service life of 75 to 100 years. What other wrong-headed claims do you have? Lin wasn't just passing through Seattle. They were hired to put a stake through the heart of an elevated plan and were given criteria with which ...

Posted Wed, Jun 1, 8:20 p.m.

Amazing how all these "how we got here" articles never mention the phony 2007 three-way up up down down referendum vote cooked up by Jan Drago to confuse voters who tunnel supporters feared would choose an elevated solution over a tunnel. Or the facts that even the WSDOT assumed that ...

Posted Sat, May 28, 9:28 a.m.

Let's not forget to thank Jan Drago and Tim Ceis who conjured up the original Mother of All Confusing AWV votes in 2007 with the three-way yes yes, no no vote to avoid any simple heads up tunnel vs. elevated contest. They admitted later that it was because they knew ...

Posted Fri, May 27, 7:59 a.m.

This "wall" you speak of is just another myth about the viaduct. Anyone familiar with Venetian blinds understand that it blocks neither access nor view of anything. It actually provides cover for pedestrians when it rains. If you want a real barrier to access tear it down and watch 40,000 ...

Posted Thu, May 26, 4:51 p.m.

Voters perfectly understand both retrofit and/or rebuild solutions for the viaduct. They understand that either will be far superior to either a tunnel or surface solution in terms of access and capacities. And they know that either will be roughly half the cost of a tunnel providing nothing goes wrong ...

Posted Wed, May 25, 8:42 a.m.

More’s the pity. If completed the tunnel provides half the capacity and access for twice the cost of an elevated solution. There will be increased congestion and loss of a bypass for downtown. Our leadership is more concerned about how the city looks on a post card than the mobility ...

Posted Tue, May 24, 2:17 p.m.

The Lin studies reflect the instructions they were given by their WSDOT client. Those instructions say if restoration costs exceed 50% of replacement costs, then it costs too much. So when restoration costs were estimated to be 80% of replacement costs, then they reported it was too much. My point ...

Posted Mon, May 23, 4:34 p.m.

I wouldn’t say that any of the studies emphatically rejected the viaduct. It didn’t meet certain stated criteria for things like percentages of retrofit costs vs. replacement costs, but they did state that a new structure could be built to last between 75 and 100 years for half the cost ...

Posted Mon, May 23, 8:56 a.m.

Brewster knows better than anyone that it wasn’t voters who muddied the water with the no-no vote in 2007. The trick vote was conjured up by then council person Jan Drago who was quoted in an article on this website saying that it was the only way for the tunnel ...

Posted Fri, May 20, 2:23 p.m.

To say that decades have been spent on this decision is wrong. The tunnel didn't become a real issue until the end of 2008. Then the process went under the table. After the spin cycle here in Seattle and the trade-offs in Olympia we get the congestion producing DBT and ...

Posted Fri, May 20, 10:10 a.m.

Why not an elevated roadway in place of the surface street? It would provide access and a covered, pedestrian friendly path for the entire length of the project without sacrificing the mobility of commuters. It acknowledges our weather, maintains a bypass for downtown and saves billions of dollars.

Posted Thu, May 19, 5:32 p.m.

The pity is that there's no mention of the preferred solution of voters which is to refurbish or replace the viaduct. This entire comedy has been about tearing down the structure on behalf of a few special interests and then hoping there's a way to deal with the congestion and ...

Posted Wed, May 18, 7:01 p.m.

My reference was about the covered/open spaces as a feature of their work as it relates to our weather. You can step outside and still have cover overhead. I have no idea what Thiry thought about anything nor was that part of my post. I lived in a Terry designed ...

Posted Wed, May 18, 10:57 a.m.

Another cheap shot at the viaduct. The structure looks as if it could have been designed by famous Northwest architects Paul Thiry or Roland Terry. Their designs made use of covered open-sided spaces to provide ways to enjoy being outside in our rainy climate. The structure could be easily incorporated ...

Posted Tue, May 17, 10:23 a.m.

Don’t look now, but if you consider the costs of concessions made and promised for their various real estate projects by the last and present city administrations you’ll discover that they pretty much run things now. Even the tunnel turns out to be just a novelty that replaces the most ...

Posted Sat, May 14, 2:03 p.m.

Or it could be that he, like anyone with a pencil and a calculator, realizes what a wasteful mistake the DBT will be.

Posted Tue, May 10, 8:28 a.m.

I agree with -Chapala21. The viaduct is a near perfect design for the waterfront. Its covered-open sided configuration embodies the design elements of NW architects Paul Thiry and Roland Terry whose structures provided views as well as cover in this unique Northwest climate. It could be incorporated into the waterfront ...

Posted Fri, May 6, 10:29 p.m.

Hey Doug, Start with the fact that capacities and access are virtually cut in half in the corridor with a tunnel replacement for the viaduct, and that the core loses a bypass. And then add your casual predictions about what you think commuters will LIKELY do is exactly the kind ...

Posted Fri, May 6, 5:24 p.m.

Seattle should change from at-large City Council elections to voting for them by districts. It would be a start for bringing some transparency and accountability to the positions. In the past the excuse has been made that the district process might make it easier for those with influence to win ...

Posted Thu, May 5, 8:58 p.m.

It’s about money and influence. It’s possible that the original bridge probably terminated in Montlake, because it was just too, too distasteful for Laurelhurst or Madison Park. Affluent neighborhoods do not want proximity to the great unwashed. People in Montlake and Shelby Hamlin wanted to kick MOHAI out of the ...

Posted Wed, May 4, 6:15 p.m.

There are plenty of reasonable arguments against the tunnel. The frustrating thing is to watch this consideration of two terrible ideas while ignoring the obvious solution. A retro / rebuild of the viaduct should be considered. No other proposed configuration matches the existing viaduct in any transportation related category. The ...

Posted Wed, May 4, 6:56 a.m.

Why not explore how to retrofit or restore the viaduct? The majority of voters still prefer that solution. It's the most economical and effective of all the plans submitted. You're right about all this being wasteful and silly.

Posted Tue, Apr 26, 8:29 a.m.

Thanks Knute. It was refreshing to hear that elevated roadways aren’t really satanic conspiracies and that cities are actually still integrating them into modern transportation projects. Still the best idea for Seattle as well.

Posted Mon, Apr 18, 8:21 a.m.

Intentionally creating congestion and gridlock to advance the lifestyle imperatives of a few influential neighborhoods is simply bad government. It adds to the tax bill of the over-taxed, and it adds to the congestion faced by regional commuters. We are just now getting a taste of what's to come with ...

Posted Sat, Apr 16, 7:41 p.m.

Thank you Mr. Royer for putting it on the table. Intentionally creating congestion and gridlock to advance the lifestyle imperatives of a few influential neighborhoods is simply bad government. It adds to the tax bill of the over-taxed, and it adds to the congestion faced by regional commuters. We are ...

Posted Thu, Apr 14, 12:11 p.m.

- kieth, I have no preference for any solution, as long as it provides similar mobility, access and cost of the existing viaduct. I think I addressed the issues that concerned me about a restoration/rebuild for the viaduct in the string from another article (City council, state play games to ...

Posted Tue, Apr 12, 10:03 p.m.

-mhays, you’re getting your wishes mixed up with your facts. You recently incorrectly stated the outcome of the latest Elway Poll (endorsing an elevated solution) to try and make your point. And now you dream up some casual "disruption" formulas to float some case about comparable costs. Twisted facts have ...

Posted Tue, Apr 12, 4:59 p.m.

The tunnel idea was pulled out of a hat in December of 2008 by the stakeholders committee. The city, state and county WSDOT had already chosen two finalists for the replacement. There was no tunnel option having been deemed impractical and too expensive. Their choice was a surface couplet using ...

Posted Tue, Apr 12, 12:30 p.m.

Still avoiding the obvious solution that restoring the viaduct gives just about everyone what they want. It offers the most capacity and access for the most users. It allows downtown to modulate how many cars they want in the core. Ballard and West Seattle retain access. The region retains the ...

Posted Mon, Apr 11, 11:12 p.m.

Well, finally we hear some truth about who really gets moist about tearing down vital transportation resources in a city...developers. And after they reap their short-term profits and go back to Boston or Singapore or wherever, they leave behind a tax burden and congestion for the people who still live ...

Posted Mon, Apr 11, 12:06 a.m.

Wells, I hate to tell you this, but I think the Discovery Institute got an assist from the Almighty when he phoned in the news about new tunneling machines in late 2008. It was just in time for the viaduct committee to lobby the tunnel back on the table after ...

Posted Sun, Apr 10, 11:48 p.m.

Then you wouldn't have a problem with an honest heads up vote between a tunnel and an elevated solution. The 3-way polls have been a documented farce from the beginning. No one believes that a surface-only solution is viable. Let's vote. Personally I'm guessing that even a less informed voter ...

Posted Sun, Apr 10, 6:21 p.m.

This is not about Seattle’s plodding ways. It's about people finally pushing back against the tyranny of special interests. Something they might find refreshing in New York. The article states what we all know…that the majority of voters prefer an elevated solution for the waterfront. They prefer it because it’s ...

Posted Sat, Apr 9, 2:33 p.m.

The 30-member Alaska Way Viaduct Advisory Committee convened by state, county and city transportation leaders spent most of 2008 hearing from experts on the condition of the viaduct, and a variety of alternatives proposed to replace it. This includes city, county and state-sponsored experts, and staff. They conclusion was that ...

Posted Fri, Apr 8, 9:23 p.m.

Before they were jerked off the table when the tunnel/park PR spin cycle fired up, there were two DOT solutions for an elevated refurbished viaduct and a plan from an outside third party engineer...all with costs less than half of the final tunnel plan and projections of serviceability for between ...

Posted Fri, Apr 8, 11:17 a.m.

Let's also not forget that no other proposed configuration for the Alaska Way corridor matches the existing viaduct in any transportation related category. The rights of ways already exist. The configuration already can handle 110,000 vehicles a day. It already provides a bypass for downtown and off ramps for the ...

Posted Fri, Apr 8, 10:26 a.m.

A refurbished viaduct with contemporary seismic protections and other amenities should be reconsidered. It is the choice of the voters and if an honest vote had ever been conducted between a tunnel and an elevated solution in any of the last ten years the elevated roadway would have been chosen. ...

Posted Thu, Apr 7, 11:19 p.m.

Another brochure from the Times promoting this wasteful, wrong-headed project that squanders 2+ billion dollars to create a park for one downtown neighborhood. Not to mention that it reduces capacities and creates congestion for the entire region. If I was responsible for saving this silly project I'm not sure I'd ...

Posted Thu, Apr 7, 1:10 p.m.

...said the frog in the kettle.

Posted Tue, Apr 5, 10:32 a.m.

Selfish motives are only part of the reason for the grief imposed on the less fortunate by the wealthy. It’s human nature to try and get what we want, and in our society force is applied to the object with money. The worrisome part of this equation is the sycophantic ...

Posted Sat, Apr 2, 1 p.m.

That calls to mind another article recently appearing on "Common Sense for MetroNaturals" titled, "Don't Knock Down Your Best North/South Arterials When You Haven't The Foggiest Idea How You Will Replace Them." -bluevashon is correct about Seoul. Asia also has many modern elevated roadways and continues to construct them when ...

Posted Fri, Apr 1, 10:45 a.m.

Good for Commissioner Tarleton. At lease some executive leadership is concerned about the transportation elements of this project. The tunnel’s reduced capacities and realignment increases congestion and takes away the city’s bypass for downtown. The critical issues are not about parks and roller skates…it’s about efficiently moving commuters, freight and ...

Posted Fri, Apr 1, 9:37 a.m.

The hippo in the living room is that the public wants an elevated solution so as not to lose ANY transportation features through the critical downtown core. The tunnel doesn't come close to the existing viaduct for access or capacities and will greatly increase congestion downtown. EVERYONE knows this. Isn't ...

Posted Thu, Mar 31, 10:11 p.m.

The major reason for the tunnel opposition is that it reduces capacities and increases congestion. Remember that it is a "transportation" project...allowing things to move from one place to another. Regarding cost overruns, the tunnel option is double the cost of a restored viaduct. That means the there would be ...

Posted Thu, Mar 31, 1:05 p.m.

Metronaturals don't SayWA anymore.

Posted Thu, Mar 31, 10:33 a.m.

No other proposed configuration for the AWV matches the existing viaduct in any transportation related category. The rights of ways already exist. The configuration already can handle 110,000 vehicles a day. It already provides an essential bypass for downtown and off ramps for the core, Ballard and West Seattle. It ...

Posted Wed, Mar 30, 11:14 p.m.

This isn't about clumsy language. The referenced article makes the point that the 2007 referendum was a strategic ruse to confuse voters and create a false premise that the tunnel and the elevated solutions were valued equally by the voters. They were not. Drago’s statement in your article about the ...

Posted Wed, Mar 30, 2:09 p.m.

The origin of Bagshaw’s present position is best explained in an article by David Brewster appearing in Crosscut explaining the motives and the truth behind the phony referendum of 2007. There is a link to it in this article, or you can use the one below. It clearly states the ...

Posted Wed, Mar 30, 10:55 a.m.

The phony referendum vote dreamed up by Jan Drago that originally distorted much of the truth about the AWV, cost the tax payers a million bucks. Aggravating as it was, it's cheap compared to the extra 2+billion dollars and the added congestion that the tunnel will entail. Read about it ...

Posted Tue, Mar 29, 9:49 p.m.

No other proposed configuration for the AWV matches the existing viaduct in any transportation related category. The rights of ways already exist. The configuration already can handle 110,000 vehicles a day. It already provides a bypass for downtown and off ramps for the core, Ballard and West Seattle. It already ...

Posted Tue, Mar 29, 5:57 p.m.

The DOT's own poll last fall reported that over 70% of those queried didn't even know the tunnel plan had been selected. Most people don’t even know where it goes. This assumption that there is a clear understanding as to the nature of this project after all of the millions ...

Posted Tue, Mar 29, 10:59 a.m.

Not another brochure about tolling. How about some history about how we arrived at needing tolls on top of gas taxes? Or the gross unfairness of tolls and the hardship it places on those who can least afford them? Or why are we’re spending BILLIONS of extras dollars on transportation ...

Posted Tue, Mar 29, 10:28 a.m.

I see what you mean. It's like changing a major arterial into a park, and then complaining about all the motorists who are honking their horns..?

Posted Fri, Mar 25, 10:44 a.m.

I think an even bigger surprise will be when they realize that this scurrying to start collecting tolls is to help pay an additional 2 billion dollars for amenities to appease the Montlake neighborhood.

Posted Thu, Mar 24, 11:58 a.m.

So now it's a “legal” wrong-headed, congestion-producing, enormously expensive project benefitting a few special interests, with the bill and the inconvenience to be suffered by regional commuters. Add this project to the burgeoning list of things in this country that fall into the category of, “It may legal, but it’s ...

Posted Mon, Mar 21, 10:42 p.m.

No other proposed configuration for the AWV matches the existing viaduct in any transportation related category. The rights of ways already exist. The configuration already can handle 110,000 vehicles a day. It already provides a bypass for downtown and off ramps for the core, Ballard and West Seattle. It already ...

Posted Fri, Mar 18, 8:31 a.m.

Still avoiding the obvious...if given a "most votes wins" oportunity the voters would choose to replace or refurbish the viaduct over a tunnel or surface option. That's the reason for this race to knock it down before there is any opportunity for an honest review. Still time to do the ...

Posted Thu, Mar 17, 3:14 p.m.

-PJS, you have raised the level of discussion to nose-bleed heights and I enjoy your candor. I understand your position, but I still don’t see why you’re so dismissive and casual about the waste, judgment errors, influence-peddling, etc. that squander billions of transportation dollars? You seem to be a critic ...

Posted Wed, Mar 16, 6 p.m.

Here’s a Crosscut article relating to Mr. Watson’s discussion of about multiple preferences for the AWV from a Jan. 2009 story called, How Jan Drago dragooned a Viaduct solution In it she takes credit for concocting the million dollar fake referendum designed to confuse the tunnel vs. viaduct issue for ...

Posted Wed, Mar 16, 3:46 p.m.

I believe that the surface only option will be a non-starter for obvious, quantifiable reasons no matter who endorses it. The tunnel is a poor choice because of enormous costs, uncertain engineering and poor support everywhere but downtown. So, if someone wakes up and smells the coffee a refurbished viaduct ...

Posted Wed, Mar 16, 1:51 p.m.

It's virtually impossible to attack the existing viaduct on any issues except safety, and that was addressed in the three rejected elevated plans. Love it or hate it, the viaduct provides the most capacity and flexibility for traffic mobility for the region. Perhaps the biggest benefit of a referendum would ...

Posted Wed, Mar 16, 9:54 a.m.

-PJS if you don’t mind paying for the right to use the roadway, are we to believe that you don’t mind handing your money over to those who you agree are wasting transportation dollars in the Puget Sound region, who created and are administering to the disaster that is Sound ...

Posted Tue, Mar 15, 2:59 p.m.

How is it that every major transportation project currently being bludgeoned into reality reduces capacity and increases congestion for commuters in the region…AWV, I-520 termination in Montlake, Mercer Street Iⅈ, etc? And now this press release suggests that to adequately fund these marginalized projects we need aggressive “modern” tolling on ...

Posted Sun, Mar 13, 11:10 a.m.

Great article. This is one of the most important functions that elected officials could perform providing that they believe that their constituents are voters and not corporate special interests. Rick Anderson has written a number of informative articles about this for the Weekly over the years. Between his article in ...

Posted Fri, Mar 11, 8:44 p.m.

Is that like "planning" for a broken arm...and then putting on a cast because you "learned" what a broken bone might do. At some point, everything fails. But let's not forget that we "learned" that the 50+ year old viaduct handled our last "big one" just fine. What would it ...

Posted Fri, Mar 11, 11:14 a.m.

This is a snippy little article. Does the author really think that people don’t realize the iniquity of this tunnel project? That not only does it cost an extra 2+ billion dollars to create amenities for one or two downtown neighborhoods, it also reduces capacities, causes congestion and impedes commuters ...

Posted Sat, Mar 5, 9:32 a.m.

Absolutely right. Corporations are not people and money is not free speech. This iniquity should have been corrected years ago.

Posted Fri, Mar 4, 5:20 p.m.

"Transit and I-5 work" was the favorite fallback answer for dealing with the reduced capacities and resulting congestion associated with all of the various solutions for the AWV except for the refurbishment / replacement of the viaduct itself. Hope that helps…this is a project that is in dire need of ...

Posted Wed, Mar 2, 10:08 p.m.

It's time to get serious about the impact of the tunnel plan for the waterfront. When one of the main instigators of this dubious process (Moon) starts nervously asking the WSDOT simple basic questions about capacity as if they didn't realize the crushing congestion that the plan will produce, it’s ...

Posted Tue, Mar 1, 8:57 a.m.

Love it or hate it...the existing viaduct should be restored and utilized as the most effective and economical solution that it is. The squandering and waste of resources associated with this tunnel and the resulting damage to the regions mobility make it an historical mistake.

Posted Sat, Feb 26, 5:29 p.m.

@DT - Does this help to advance the discussion? It appeared on this website a couple of years ago. Still playing out but pretty close so far. http://crosscut.com/blog/crosscut/18899/When-Chopp-speaks%2C-parse-it-closely/ Almost sounds like we didn't need the tunnel on the waterfront either.

Posted Thu, Feb 24, 1:52 p.m.

Thanks for the history. Then just read from the circus to the coyotes...the rest still works for me.

Posted Wed, Feb 23, 11:46 a.m.

There were two plans for a retrofit and/or replacement along with longevity estimates and costs. Victor Gray had a proposal as well. All were shoved aside when the Almighty told the Discovery Institute that there was a new tunnel-machine in town. That's when the pro-tunnel PR spin-cycle fired up and ...

Posted Wed, Feb 23, 9:03 a.m.

Wells, if you spent an hour watching the viaduct at rush hour you would understand that what I stated about it is and has been correct for over 50years. And it’s not a drawing or a video…it does it for real every day. The “1st Ave. traffic” and “dangerously steep ...

Posted Wed, Feb 23, 7:48 a.m.

The stiff tolls and the extra 2 billion dollars for the I-520 bridge termination isn't for elite car owners...it's for extra amenities benefitting one affluent nightborhood.

Posted Tue, Feb 22, 9:21 p.m.

No other proposed configuration (design) for Alaskan Way matches the existing viaduct in any transportation related category. The rights of ways already exist. The configuration already can handle 110,000 vehicles a day. It already provides a bypass for downtown and off ramps for the core, Ballard and West Seattle. It ...

Posted Tue, Feb 22, 12:24 p.m.

This article’s subhead is terribly misleading and continues to obscure the facts about our pending mega-projects. The term “highways” assumes that these are transportation projects with primary goals to effectively move traffic (private and commercial) from one place to another. They are not supposed to intentionally create congestion, reduce capacities ...

Posted Mon, Feb 21, 9:42 p.m.

WOW! Another welfare wheedle for downtown. Will this party never end? There are over 90 recognized neighborhoods in Seattle. While virtually all have to tighten their belts and do with less or no local help from the city, 3 or 4 affluent neighborhoods are receiving near term expenditures of between ...

Posted Sat, Feb 19, 12:59 p.m.

I think the end result of this congestion producing, multi-billion dollar fiasco will ultimately be something that the governor will wish was not on her resume. And remember while you're sitting idle in the middle of this example of self-imposed gridlock, that you paid an extra two billion dollars for ...

Posted Fri, Feb 18, 10:01 a.m.

Again for the record: The nonsense-referendum connived up by Jan Drago and Tim Ceis in March of 2007 was designed to confuse voters and appear as a no vote for the both the tunnel and the elevated. Drago admitted in a Jan. 15, 2009 article right here in Crosscut that ...

Posted Thu, Feb 17, 12:56 p.m.

But for each member of Bagshaw’s party and others just poking around the waterfront on this imaginary day, there are thousands of commuters who must add an extra hour or so to get to their next appointment, or deliver a package, or pick up another load, or beat the kids ...

Posted Wed, Feb 16, 4:13 p.m.

So will I. I was speaking about tolls that must pay for extra features to accommodate the Montlake neighborhood that adds app. 2 billion dollars to the project cost. Commuters receive no extra value...just a bigger bill.

Posted Wed, Feb 16, 1:38 p.m.

The taxing of the entire region to pay the extra costs for features to benefit only one neighborhood is unfortunate and unfair. But unlike other projects with one-time expenditures that fade from the public’s memory, this toll will serve as an ongoing reminder that maybe the era of manipulating the ...

Posted Wed, Feb 16, 11:06 a.m.

If the special interests, politicians, hired experts and promoters who endorse a tunnel solution for downtown ever really believed that it was the most practical, cost-effective and popular solution for the waterfront, they would have simply allowed the public to vote on either a tunnel plan, or a restored elevated ...

Posted Tue, Feb 15, 10:08 p.m.

I think anyone with a pencil and a map will discover that it’s time to stop worrying about poor old Seattle Center. If you consider the billions of tax dollars already pledged and gifted by past administrations for corrections of elevations between SLU and the Center, and straightening Mercer to ...

Posted Tue, Feb 15, 11:23 a.m.

A council elected by districts eliminates the shroud cast over many controversial issues like access to finite city resources and allocation of funds. This is definitely a problem in this city where a few influential neighborhoods enjoy inordinate attention and favor.

Posted Mon, Feb 14, 12:14 p.m.

Expensive you say Mr. Brewster? This current design adds 2+ billion dollars to the tab while reducing capacities and access for people who must make thier way through and around the area by half. You know...like commuters? I'd say that if you really want to provide the view for the ...

Posted Mon, Feb 14, 8:40 a.m.

This is a great idea -chapala21 except for the part about eliminating the cars.

Posted Sun, Feb 13, 6:38 p.m.

You neglected to mention that the AWV did equally well during the earthquakes and continues to do its job. Modern elevated roadways enjoy the same seismic protections as any other contemporary construction element, and are being built all over the world. But if the project has now become so misdirected ...

Posted Sat, Feb 12, 11:03 a.m.

There is every reason to slow down and consider the real ramifications of the tunnel project for downtown. The resulting congestion will completely compromise the transportation matrix for the entire region. There will not even be a bypass remaining to allow motorists to avoid the area. The reason for this ...

Posted Fri, Feb 11, 2:37 p.m.

Ol' Ronnie lit that deregulation candle in granny's bedroom and then we all stood around like idiots and watched it burn down the house. Anyone remember that..? Reagan did make apparent two functions that should be outsourced to China though...the SEC and bank oversight. They have a different take on ...

Posted Thu, Feb 10, 3:28 p.m.

Egypt is the recipient of one of the largest packages of US military aid in the world. And the deals represent huge subsidies for US arms manufacturers who fulfill these transactions with American made weapons. The manner in which Egypt’s government changes can impact the future of this business and ...

Posted Thu, Feb 10, 8:30 a.m.

If the point is that your space capsule project has been taken over by special interests whose agendas destroyed its primary purpose as a successful space vehicle then I think you have hit the nail on the head. The viaduct is a successful transportation element being sacrificed to create a ...

Posted Sun, Feb 6, 11:33 a.m.

Correction to previous post. A recent poll by the WSDOT showed that 76% of those surveyed "did not" know that the tunnel design had actually been chosen. I guess I can be as vague and confused as anyone.

Posted Sun, Feb 6, 8 a.m.

How is it that our elected officials are measured by how precisely they follow their special interest "to do" lists when they take office? I don't agree with all of McGinn's agenda, but I absolutely agree with his questioning of some our most expensive, most questionable transportation projects like the ...

Posted Thu, Feb 3, 8:39 a.m.

This article intimates that there is a genuine concern about real cost / value propositions for our state’s transportation megaprojects. It’s not apparent in two of our largest projects currently snaking through the smoke-filled back rooms in Olympia. We are scheduled to spend over 4 billion extra dollars on the ...

Posted Fri, Jan 28, 8:56 a.m.

Great article. Mr. Berger says, “One outcome to worry about: Will tunnel and other projects result in new traffic patterns that stick the district in semi-permanent gridlock or with streets that are less safe for pedestrians?” He’s right...and further, what impact does it have on commuter travel around and through ...

Posted Tue, Jan 25, 9:33 p.m.

This is a threshold moment that rarely happens...a grossly misrepresented capital project is scrutinized in time to avoid the waste of billions of dollars and the resulting damage to the transportation matrix of the entire region, all for the benefit of one neighborhood. The majority of taxpayers support restoring the ...

Posted Mon, Jan 24, 12:36 p.m.

When money is spent on transportation projects for elements not specifically related to transportation, you could say that the expenditures are not essential…like in, “I think you paid too much.” This “too much” amount for the two projects in question is at least four billion dollars. One of those billion ...

Posted Mon, Jan 24, 10:19 a.m.

Are we to believe that in the middle of the wine tasting celebrating the ridiculously expensive tunnel/park design for downtown, and the ridiculously expensive Disneyland I-520 termination for the Montlake neighborhood, someone yelled..."Hey, we forgot about the ferries!" Wouldn't you make sure you could pay for the basics before you ...

Posted Sun, Jan 23, 10:53 p.m.

Are we to believe that in the middle of the wine tasting celebrating the ridiculously expensive tunnel/park design for downtown, and the ridiculously expensive Disneyland I-520 termination for the Montlake neighborhood, someone yelled..."Hey, we forgot about the ferries?" Wouldn't you make sure you could pay for the basics before you ...

Posted Sat, Jan 22, 1:49 p.m.

The hatches were part of it -MagBill, and buoyancy issues over decisions to allow holding slurry water from concrete saws within the pontoons was part of it. Who knows what else? Hatches were also a problem with the Hood Canal Bridge when it went down in 1979. Both were DOT ...

Posted Fri, Jan 21, 3:19 p.m.

Let’s hope that their pre-tunnel demolition plans are more successful than their floating bridge buoyancy plans.

Posted Thu, Jan 20, 4:40 p.m.

-south_downtown knocks one out of the park. Definitely deserves an "Editor's Pick."

Posted Wed, Jan 19, 1:13 p.m.

And -Wells responds ad nauseum with his response, "that the cut and cover design does match the viaduct in transportation criteria..."EXCEPT" for those parts where he imagines that it DOESN'T...like those pesky ramps that handle up to 20K cars a day, and those dangerously steep side streets and ramps that ...

Posted Wed, Jan 19, 9:34 a.m.

A retro / rebuild of the viaduct should be considered. No other proposed configuration for the AWV matches the existing viaduct in any transportation related category. The rights of ways already exist. The configuration already can handle 110,000 vehicles a day. It already provides a bypass for downtown and off ...

Posted Mon, Jan 17, 1:46 p.m.

Until transportation strategies are cleansed of the influence of special interests that historically marginalize giant projects with hidden agendas, the majority of citizens of Seattle will continue to pay more and receive less. Our two current mega-projects (AWV & 520 Bridge) actually reduce capacities and increase congestion for the sake ...

Posted Thu, Jan 13, 2:01 p.m.

Case in point for grayreigns post is the current plan for the AWV. Regardless of the attributes of the tunnel/surface option for creating a downtown park, the fact is that it drastically reduces vehicle capacities, access to Ballard and West Seattle and takes away the region’s only bypass for downtown. ...

Posted Tue, Jan 11, 2:48 p.m.

I predict that even the most avid tunnel advocates are going to be surprised at what a mess this turns out to be. If they didn't enjoy hearing the noise from the viaduct now then they're in for a treat when the residual traffic with no where to go crawls ...

Posted Mon, Jan 10, 9:36 p.m.

Did anyone ask about the fact that no other proposed configuration for the AWV matches the existing viaduct in any transportation related category. The rights of ways already exist. The configuration already can handle 110,000 vehicles a day. It already provides a bypass for downtown and off ramps for the ...

Posted Fri, Jan 7, 9:21 p.m.

This project should certainly become a story on 60 Minutes before its completion. The result of exceptionally strong special interests...and exceptionally weak elected officials. Ultimately just another expensive "clown suit" for downtown Seattle.

Posted Thu, Jan 6, 2:35 p.m.

http://www.theonion.com/articles/something-about-tax-cuts-or-earnings-or-money-or-s,18169/

Posted Fri, Dec 31, 4:40 p.m.

Multi-billion dollar projects designed to benefit a few special interests while degrading the transportation matrix of a city is not progress and it's certainly not for the greater good. As a transportation element the tunnel reduces capacities and increases congestion...for EVERYONE. Work with me here -seattlelifer...I'm just trying to keep ...

Posted Fri, Dec 31, 2:36 p.m.

Unlike the examples in this article designed to improve the moving of people and vehicles around and through their respective regions, the Seattle waterfront tunnel is designed for the purpose of creating an enormously expensive park. All of the transportation related criteria are either reduced or sacrificed.

Posted Tue, Dec 21, 3:22 p.m.

If you extend -weevz2001's logic to the AW viaduct Seattle could save 2+ BILLION dollars and avoid compromising the transportation integrity of the entire city. The same could be said of the "DisneyLand" design for I-520 with extra BILLIONS for beautification giveaways to the Montlake neighborhood. Leaving Mercer Street alone ...

Posted Fri, Dec 17, 10:19 a.m.

OK, which one of you guys is really Thurston Howell III ?

Posted Thu, Dec 16, 12:36 p.m.

Oh the vagaries of being an elected official. The predicaments that are described here are the result of powerful special interests determining political outcomes rather than the people we elect to make these decisions. Explaining iniquity that you willingly participate in is difficult no matter how you spin it. We ...

Posted Wed, Dec 15, 2:19 p.m.

When haven't the skids been greased on this deal? Another obvious reason to elect Seattle council members by districts.

Posted Sat, Dec 11, 4:12 p.m.

I have always been fascinated by the little gangs of sparrows that dart around the lot picking up the odd fry or whatever bits they can grab, especially those working the night shift. Since they are considered to be diurnal (active in the daytime) does that mean that the ones ...

Posted Fri, Dec 10, 10:06 a.m.

I'd just settle for some answers to the original questions. There's a reason why the people responsible for all this avoided any kind of a comparative analysis between an elevated and a tunnel solution and you know it. A new brochure or a sound bite from the governor doesn't do ...

Posted Fri, Dec 10, 9:41 a.m.

No other proposed configuration for the AWV matches the existing viaduct in any transportation related category. The rights of ways already exist. The configuration already can handle 110,000 vehicles a day. It already provides a bypass for downtown and off ramps for the core, Ballard and West Seattle. It already ...

Posted Sun, Dec 5, 11:36 a.m.

Good example of how the spin machine works. Let's get folks upset about spending $50,000 on umbrellas so they won't notice when we start blowing $3,000,000,000 digging a waterfront tunnel to nowhere. Both equally contribute nothing to meeting the transportation needs of the region.

Posted Sat, Dec 4, 11:48 a.m.

-serial_catowner and Dwight D. Eisenhower are absolutely right.

Posted Thu, Dec 2, 10:55 p.m.

How could anyone familiar with the devious process that resulted in the current grossly expensive tunnel solution for the AWV not be suspicious and doubtful of those involved in the project? I think a lot of people don’t “trust” the governor. It also seems that the author is criticizing the ...

Posted Wed, Dec 1, 12:33 p.m.

This is an interesting article when you consider Royer’s last submission about powerful special interests who subordinate government, control legislative outcomes and erode the public’s trust in their leaders. I would have preferred to have that story follow this one. Then the sand box behavior shown by McGinn and the ...

Posted Tue, Nov 30, 11:41 a.m.

This is a great article in that it at least references the threat of special interests to the country. The government has been subordinated by special interests to an unprecedented degree. Checks and balances have been whittled away to the point that the system no longer self-corrects, returning the usual ...

Posted Mon, Nov 29, 11:33 p.m.

Well this is a start. Now if you guys can just accept that saving the rest of the AWV is the best transportaion solution for the whole region..? Still time to do the right thing.

Posted Mon, Nov 29, 2:21 p.m.

A refurbish / retrofit of the viaduct is clearly the best solution. No other proposed configuration for the AWV matches the existing viaduct in any transportation related category. The rights of ways already exist. The configuration already can handle 110,000 vehicles a day. It already provides a bypass for downtown ...

Posted Thu, Nov 25, 8:18 p.m.

That is interesting Pythagoras. My United reference was to provide a marker in this process of the envelopment of our system, and hopefully an easily understood windsock.

Posted Wed, Nov 24, 3:39 p.m.

Since corporations are “people” and money is “free speech” the Citizens United decision by the Robert’s Court should be just about the end for our system as we thought we knew it. That's a lot of tooth paste to get back into the tube. Nothing like that aroma of unfettered ...

Posted Wed, Nov 17, 1:02 p.m.

No one really explored refurbishment or retrofits beyond a couple of consultants for hire. The structure is not contiguous, but built like several tables. Estimates about timing and actual use while under construction are still just conjecture. Remember, WSDOT even assumed that this would be the method up until the ...

Posted Wed, Nov 17, 10:03 a.m.

No other proposed configuration for the AWV matches the existing viaduct in any transportation related category. The rights of ways already exist. The configuration already can handle 110,000 vehicles a day. It already provides a bypass for downtown and off ramps for the core, Ballard and West Seattle. It already ...

Posted Tue, Nov 2, 9:29 p.m.

Again, for reference... No other proposed configuration for the AWV matches the existing viaduct in any transportation related category. The rights of ways already exist. The configuration already can handle 110,000 vehicles a day. It already provides a bypass for downtown and off ramps for the core, Ballard and West ...

Posted Tue, Nov 2, 12:27 p.m.

The simple fact is that by the time this expensive, devious process has been fully executed, and the community actually begins to experience the reduction of mobility and increased congestion resulting from the plan, the perpetrators will all be working on their second pensions as consultants. We’ll still have the ...

Posted Mon, Nov 1, 3:45 p.m.

-mhays is right about the BS. If you recall, that pesky ballot measure was actually a scam dreamed up by Jan Drago to confuse voters who preferred a refurbished viaduct. From a Jan. 2009 article right here on this site, she states, “Had it been a single vote, tunnel vs. ...

Posted Fri, Oct 29, 9:45 p.m.

Best thing that could happen for the area would be to retain the viaduct. It's the only way to modulate and control traffic in the core because it already provides an effective bypass for downtown. Pretty cool cover for pedestrians as well. It's as unique in its own way as ...

Posted Thu, Oct 28, 1:04 p.m.

...a one, and a two,.. No other proposed configuration for the AWV matches the existing viaduct in any transportation related category. The rights of ways already exist. The configuration already can handle 110,000 vehicles a day. It already provides a bypass for downtown and off ramps for the core, Ballard ...

Posted Mon, Oct 25, 11:10 a.m.

A charging scheme for electric vehicles will easily sort itself out because the distribution grid already exists. Designs, sizes, weights of vehicles will also evolve as they always have. Why does the conversation always assume that advances only occur in one technology and not another? I would also submit that ...

Posted Thu, Oct 21, 11:21 a.m.

Thanks for the shout-out –serial_catowner. I tried to save the Twin Teepees on Aurora too…but was unsuccessful. Technology will solve much of the fuel issues in the next decade. Its cost and availability are more a condition of corporate influence and Wall Street speculation than anything else. Do you actually ...

Posted Wed, Oct 20, 12:13 p.m.

Without a decent bypass for downtown the entire area becomes marginalized. Congestion will at least double and many of the vital, point of destination businesses will become too difficult to visit for people outside the neighborhood, even though Sound Transit will surely keep the night life edgy and exciting. The ...

Posted Wed, Oct 13, 12:29 p.m.

Since the article is about "tsunamis," I'll have to stick with the viaduct. And if you insist on applying logic and practicality then you eliminate the tunnel for a lot of other reasons.

Posted Wed, Oct 13, 10:24 a.m.

Sounds like a another good reason to rebuild or refurbish the viaduct to me. Saves a couple of BILLION dollars too. Still time to do the right thing.

Posted Mon, Oct 11, 4:40 p.m.

-andy It was funny...rimshots are good. I was trying to address the pending loss of the AWV as a bypass for downtown. I endorse a retro of the existing structure for various reasons, including that one. With a throughway with effective access to West Seattle and Ballard you would have ...

Posted Mon, Oct 11, 2:57 p.m.

I think I get it... Carhartt wearing poor people in vehicles = bad. Lab coat wearing rich people on rollerblades = good. How does this justify spending billions of dollars to create intentional congestion through the downtown core area?

Posted Mon, Oct 11, 1:18 p.m.

What difference does it make if one wears a lab smock or a Carhartt jacket to work? How much do you suppose we’re paying now for incentives to accommodate these eager, new-wave 21st century businesses who are fleshing out Seattle's tired old skeleton? Don't like Mercer...no problem. Need a waterfront ...

Posted Sat, Oct 9, 2:13 p.m.

Man, this is getting pretty old. Can we go back to talking about fixing up the viaduct instead of digging a tunnel?

Posted Fri, Oct 8, 1:15 p.m.

Like the “paperless office,” complete integration of bicycles is going to happen over a long period of time. And even then capacity, safety and geography will determine what’s actually possible. Would you call 35 of your commuter buddies on Saturday morning to help you pick up a ton of beauty ...

Posted Thu, Oct 7, 3 p.m.

The answer to the question asked by the author in the first paragraph is more likely the result of suboptimization. It’s harder to rationalize and much harder to sell the least desirable of alternatives to people. And it gets worse as their resources are actually spent to execute these least ...

Posted Wed, Oct 6, 3:17 p.m.

Isn’t the problem that the corrosive influence of corporations and other special interests that comprise the top 4 or 5 “industrial complexes” have finally broken the system? The cliché about there being no difference between the parties has become technically true in that special interests can now apply enough force ...

Posted Tue, Oct 5, 1:40 p.m.

Since the entire process of advancing both McGinn's and the council's wrong-headed preferences for the AWV has been about as precise and thoughtful as a herd of camels falling down the stairs, it seem odd that anyone would now start worrying about the "completeness and accuracy" of anything. While we ...

Posted Fri, Oct 1, 10:27 a.m.

Anyone who would like to see a working model of the best transportation solution for the waterfront should just take a look at the existing structure. The elevated solution clearly offers more benefit for everyone than any of the other designs, and eliminates this endless noodling about how the transportation ...

Posted Tue, Sep 28, 2:35 p.m.

No other proposed configuration for the AWV matches the existing viaduct in any transportation related category. The rights of ways already exist. The configuration already can handle 110,000 vehicles a day. It already provides a bypass for downtown and off ramps for the core, Ballard and West Seattle. It already ...

Posted Mon, Sep 27, 9:03 a.m.

Since McGinn and the council each endorse solutions that will damage the transportation matrix of the city for the foreseeable future, it’s irrelevant who might prevail. I would rather see some journalistic force applied to the object to learn the real story about how this enormously expensive, wrong-headed project ever ...

Posted Fri, Sep 24, 12:34 p.m.

Does the author not recall the vile names that we “appreciators of the view” have been called by tunnel/surface geniuses…even in these hallowed threads? And, how do you know that the Highline wasn’t inspired by some east coast visitor who crossed the AWV? The elevated solution clearly offers more benefit ...

Posted Wed, Sep 22, 5:21 p.m.

Almost forgot. Don't forget to sign the SCAT petition. It's never too late to do the right thing.

Posted Wed, Sep 22, 5:14 p.m.

I've got it. Let's refurbish the viaduct and use it for another 40 years. It's quirky and edgy and all that "working class" imagery stuff that people who don't have anything to do seem to admire so much. That way, those of us who still have to go from one ...

Posted Tue, Sep 14, 9:45 a.m.

It's funny when you think about it though. If we knock down one of the most efficient transportation elements in the city, everyone will truly find out just how much "waiting in line" they can stand. That's why most of us still want to maintain the Viaduct. Still time to ...

Posted Mon, Sep 13, 10:16 a.m.

Crippling the city’s transportation matrix and spending billions frivolously in these hard economic times is not buying a pizza. Holding out for real solutions that serve the greatest number of people, as opposed to jamming through narrow, self-serving solutions on behalf of a few special interests is not “enjoying the ...

Posted Wed, Sep 1, 10:45 a.m.

It could be that the author’s favorite firm, West 8, does know something the other teams do not. That no other proposed configuration for the AWV matches the existing viaduct in any transportation related category. The rights of ways already exist. The configuration already can handle 110,000 vehicles a day. ...

Posted Thu, Aug 26, 12:30 a.m.

Just as it becomes fashionable for the discourse to embrace things like “100 year plans” and worries about “our great, great grandchildren,” we find that we are living in a world where change occurs at a rate that often makes technologies obsolete and conditions unfavorable before strategies are even applied ...

Posted Mon, Aug 23, 10:33 p.m.

WOW ! "Many cities are badly overmatched by fancy consultants." Do you think?Could that possibly be? Banks can't loan money to small businesses, but they can loan money to cities for parking meter scams...AFTER they were bailed out with tax dollars? If only these "fancy consultants" weren't slapping the whey ...

Posted Thu, Aug 19, 8:31 a.m.

I should qualify my statement about Rainier Ave. So. I agree with –mhays and JoshMahar about the amenity the re-channelization created for cyclists. My problem with it was the inclusion of parking on both sides of the street in addition to bike and car lanes and the faux turn lane ...

Posted Wed, Aug 18, 10 p.m.

It's more than a short stretch. It runs 2.6 miles from Ithaca to 115th. It previously was a great north/south alternative to get from Renton to Downtown. It features a giant center turn lane that goes for over half of the distance for streets that don't exist. Just dead space...no ...

Posted Wed, Aug 18, 11:51 a.m.

Modern elevated roadways with seismic protections are being built all over the world because they provide effective solutions for moving things from one place to another…like our viaduct does now. The viaduct presents no barrier between the city and sound. Actually, on rainy days it makes a more pleasant way ...

Posted Tue, Aug 17, 10:45 p.m.

I think you must be dreaming about some other forum. I said that the viaduct already does everything that's required as a transportation resource for downtown. That means like…right now...today. The two versions for refurbishment that were ever briefly considered were less expensive than any of the tunnel solutions. And ...

Posted Tue, Aug 17, 9:39 p.m.

Maybe you guys should start with the existing viaduct as a model and then work backwards, since it already does everything that's required as a transportation resource for downtown. Then the only thing that remains is that it's not convoluted enough for Wells, and it isn't something that -mhays can ...

Posted Tue, Aug 17, 10:27 a.m.

Actually a better option would be for downtown to decide what its boundaries are and then create a special taxing authority for residents to pay for whatever transportation elements that they think it needs. The only caveat should be that an effective bypass be maintained for the majority of commuters ...

Posted Mon, Aug 16, 10:59 p.m.

Yes, it's initially going to be about 2+BILLION dollars...for a park. In addition it will reduce the north/south traffic capacities for the entire region so it will continue to cost us on an ongoing basis. Even people who don't want to go downtown will suffer from not having a bypass ...

Posted Mon, Aug 16, 10:06 p.m.

It appears that the stakeholders primary goal were to make it easier to meet Carey and Samantha for Mojitos after work, and the rest of that pesky transporation stuff would just work itself out. I think people are starting to realize what is going to happen when the viaduct comes ...

Posted Mon, Aug 16, 8:58 a.m.

The author’s point of how valuable the existing viaduct is as a transportation resource for the region is absolutely right. It also would provide a better solution for the rest of the items on his list if only he could get beyond the need to eliminate automobiles from the face ...

Posted Tue, Aug 10, 1:17 p.m.

In the same spirit as the Chihuly store at Seattle Center, this signage deal is another “they didn’t think you’d notice” arrangement by the city council on behalf of Russell Investments. Russell is a 150B financial services company and a subsidiary of Northwestern Mutual Financial Network of Milwaukee. Russell is ...

Posted Thu, Aug 5, 8:01 a.m.

The article also reminds us of the old saying that, “a camel is really a horse that was designed by urban hobbyists, blue-ribbon panels, stakeholder committees, evangelical consulting firms, PR flaks, political insiders and weak elected officials.”

Posted Wed, Aug 4, 1:21 p.m.

So Tunnelite would be an "exact match" for the AWV, except for the "major difference" of not having any ramp to 1st Ave? And that's OK because it eliminates all that "chaotic nature" of traffic on 1st and all those steep side streets? What a concept. Is there anyone left ...

Posted Wed, Aug 4, 8:52 a.m.

It’s also worth commenting one more time during this sustained hail-storm of press release/news stories that no other proposed configuration for state Highway 99 matches the existing viaduct in any transportation related category. The rights of ways already exist. The configuration already can handle 110,000 vehicles a day. It already ...

Posted Tue, Aug 3, 5:49 p.m.

A decision about the AWV was made years ago. It was the public's expectation and the WSDOT assumption that it would be an enhanced, refurbished, or rebuilt viaduct. The delays of these last several years are the result of urban hobbyists and special interests who lost sight of the fact ...

Posted Sun, Aug 1, 1:26 a.m.

Here's a link to what Mr. Brewster predicted that Frank Chopp might do regarding the AWV. http://crosscut.com/blog/crosscut/18899/When-Chopp-speaks,-parse-it-closely/ He changes his support from his preferred elevated solution to the tunnel in return for the most expensive Option K termination of 520 so as not to disturb his neighborhood. The result...two neighborhoods ...

Posted Fri, Jul 30, 11:14 p.m.

-mhays, you're exactly right. There's been a very minimal study of what a retrofit might entail or how long it might allow the viaduct to last. Why is that? How can that be? Doesn't is seem odd that the most economical and effective solution compared with any of the other ...

Posted Fri, Jul 30, 5:34 p.m.

I stand corrected -bubbleator. I haven't followed the aftermath.

Posted Fri, Jul 30, 4:52 p.m.

Stadium votes are different. The only voters who really stay offended are those who don’t care about sports. Fans get over it. And stadium designs at least result in facilities that are actually functional. The AWV plan is different. It’s a terrible design that has reduced transportation capacities and will ...

Posted Fri, Jul 30, 8:52 a.m.

I agree that the surface option would be a disaster. I have always endorsed refurbishing and enhancing the existing viaduct. It is the best solution. No other proposed configuration for the AWV matches the existing viaduct in any transportation related category. The rights of ways already exist. The configuration already ...

Posted Fri, Jul 30, 7:11 a.m.

How amazing that after the phony vote that started this messy process, Brewster would submit this article. If you recall, the phony referendum of 2007 was the opening ceremony for three years of spin and obfuscation by PR flaks, blue-ribbon committees, evangelical consultants, stake-holders, waterfront partnership committees and various toadies ...

Posted Thu, Jul 29, 10:18 p.m.

Godden may be offended by McGinn’s underhanded ways, but one would be hard pressed to find anyone involved in this current mess who’s clean. If you recall, the phony referendum of 2007 was the opening ceremony for three years of spin and obfuscation by PR flaks, blue-ribbon committees, evangelical consultants, ...

Posted Wed, Jul 28, 9:50 p.m.

No other proposed configuration for the AWV matches the existing viaduct in any transportation related category. The rights of ways already exist. The configuration already can handle 110,000 vehicles a day. It already provides a bypass for downtown and off ramps for the core, Ballard and West Seattle. It already ...

Posted Wed, Jul 28, 12:19 p.m.

There’s been plenty of BS slinging about this issue. But it shouldn’t confuse the fact that most voters still believe that the tunnel is a terrible idea. The council and the mayor are fighting about the MOST expensive, LEAST efficient solutions for the purpose of enhancing some real estate at ...

Posted Tue, Jul 27, 11:33 p.m.

This is a classic study in sub-optimization. Both the mayor and the council are doing a “dance of the sand crabs” over a project that the majority of the voters do not want because it reduces capacities and efficiencies of our existing transportation system. It’s like watching people arguing over ...

Posted Mon, Jul 26, 7:42 p.m.

Not only is the tunnel still considered a giant step backwards by Seattle voters, it’s also a political loser. It will certainly cost more than proposed and the resulting chaos and gridlock during and after construction will be a constant reminder to voters, who will be sitting in increased levels ...

Posted Mon, Jul 26, 10:06 a.m.

If you think you miss the Sam Francis painting, just wait until the Alaska Way Viaduct is gone.

Posted Mon, Jul 26, 7:29 a.m.

If you think you miss the Sam Francis painting, just wait until the Alaska Way Viaduct is gone.

Posted Sun, Jul 18, 8:33 a.m.

Claire: The finer points of Chopp’s maneuvering have been discussed in a number of articles including one in Crosscut on March 26, 2009 titled, When Chopp speaks, parse it closely. You can find it in the archives. The predictions seem to be playing out. The DBT no vote you reference ...

Posted Fri, Jul 16, 9:19 p.m.

The vote in 2007 was not intended to assist voters to decide anything. It was a deceitful trick designed to defeat the elevated solution that was the assumed solution by the public and the WSDOT at the time. Jan Drago stated that she and Tim Ceis cooked up the phony ...

Posted Fri, Jul 16, 2:50 p.m.

Politically, the tunnel is a loser. It will certainly cost significantly more than proposed and the resulting chaos during and after construction will be a constant reminder to voters, who will be stuck in traffic, remembering who was responsible. Nickel's demise was more about the viaduct process than it was ...

Posted Thu, Jul 15, 11:16 p.m.

The refurbished viaduct is the best transportation solution. If you use only transportation criteria NOTHING else equals the current configuration. Major cities must have ways to shuttle traffic through and around their core areas. Seattle needs a bypass for downtown. You cannot wish away the basic requirements for moving things ...

Posted Thu, Jul 15, 11:26 a.m.

I think it's more than just "many." I think that the majority of organizations and citizens believe the tunnel is unwise. Up until 2008 most citizens and the DOT believed that a refurbishment of the AWV would be the choice. A lot of spin and dollars were spent to avoid ...

Posted Thu, Jul 15, 10:14 a.m.

The WSDOT was fine with an AWV elevated solution that met seismic standards in 2008. In fact there were three of them. A refurbished viaduct would provide the most efficient and economical transportation solution for region. People downtown would have a much more pedestrian-friendly space in their neighborhood. And the ...

Posted Thu, Jul 15, 8:32 a.m.

I agree catowner. But that would be a different topic. My concern is less about costs and more about spending it on the wrong project. I think they call it "suboptimization."

Posted Thu, Jul 15, 8:18 a.m.

Wow. Let's do vote. And please allow the existing viaduct an honest evaluation this time. After all, it was/is the choice of voters and was the assumed solution by the WSDOT up until the, "Gee, does this viaduct make Seattle's ass look too big" crowd got involved. No other proposed ...

Posted Wed, Jul 14, 3:20 p.m.

Corporations and the various industrial complexes don’t need to hold office to exercise control over the country. They already determine the agenda regardless of who is elected or what party is in power. We just witnessed one of the largest thefts in the history of the planet and no one ...

Posted Mon, Jul 12, 9:52 p.m.

Given that the article references "optimism bias" "lies" designed to "alarm and divide Seattleites" "over-optimism" "outright deception on the part of politicians" and something that "You might call lying" and of course the ever pervasive "strategic misrepresentation," why would you pick up the phone ? Who would you talk to ...

Posted Mon, Jul 12, 5:13 p.m.

Natural gas will become a significant fuel for transportation in the U.S. We have huge domestic reserves and it's cleaner and cheaper. As soon as demand brings the cost of conversions down a bit, and the distribution channel matures it will happen fairly quickly. Cars aren't going away.

Posted Mon, Jul 12, 8:22 a.m.

Interesting article…should generate lots of response. While making the usual suspects accountable for these “boondoggles” after the fact is a good idea, it would be an even greater achievement if the Fourth Estate would actually report the obfuscations, lies, spin, poor judgment and back-room deals as they are happening, so ...

Posted Thu, Jul 8, 3:28 p.m.

I'm confused. Aren't these famous panels of Seattle genuises meeting in the dead of night where stadiums and tunnels come from? And when did these movers and shakers start giving a rip about the economic feasibility of anything?

Posted Mon, Jul 5, 5:52 p.m.

-serial_catowner is absolutely right about this one. Achieve just these three things and we would be light years along in creating livable cities.

Posted Fri, Jul 2, 1:22 p.m.

I’m with you guys on the cut-n-cover as a second choice. But if the same energy had gone into refurbishing and upgrading the viaduct, which was the preferred plan by the state’s own evaluation team up until 2008, we wouldn’t even be discussing the shortcomings of these other plans. The ...

Posted Thu, Jul 1, 7:02 p.m.

The only thing that the movers and shakers ever wanted was to tear down the viaduct. Who cares about all that pesky transportation stuff. Anyone who waits this late in the game to start worrying about where 30 to 60 thousand cars a day might go in a downtown core ...

Posted Tue, Jun 29, 2:39 p.m.

The first I remember hearing about making downtown into a European Urban Village was from radio personality Bob Hardwick. That was back in the 80s, and it was obvious then that no one understood that there was more required than just cramming people into warrens of high rise condominiums. Things ...

Posted Thu, Jun 24, 3:58 p.m.

Not sure why Thiry argued against the viaduct. Some of his work even seems to reflect it. The viaduct also embodies the work of another NW architect Roland Terry. Many of his designs provided amenities that were ideally suited for our rainy climate by providing stunning views from structures with ...

Posted Wed, Jun 23, 10:03 p.m.

My point exactly. You didn't see any numbers from me. As wonderful as the internet is, it's still a repository of conflicting information and BS. What I asked you was what criteria do you use when you concoct these responses? Seems to be a lot of...chairs are wood, and trees ...

Posted Wed, Jun 23, 8:47 p.m.

I think everyone understands passenger mile costs. Is “way more” really a credible factor in this discussion? I believe that you don’t “buy” someone’s per car ratio formulas, but that doesn’t mean it’s not correct. As to energy used…are we talking about cars produced here or abroad? Is the cost ...

Posted Wed, Jun 23, 11:28 a.m.

How weird. Just as the emerging economies of the world begin to enjoy their dream of an individually owned, engine-powered vehicle, we begin our decline into the age of the bicycle, the camp shoe, and enormously expensive, energy guzzling modes of mass transit. They will enjoy their experience with a ...

Posted Tue, Jun 22, 10:15 p.m.

Is a retrofit of the viaduct a bigger, more expensive project than this current fantasy? No it is not. What do we not know about this current configuration of the viaduct that continues to serve as the most effective transportation solution each and every day, except that is isn’t pretty ...

Posted Tue, Jun 22, 1:38 p.m.

Q. Can Seattle make a great waterfront park? A. It will depend on who you ask considering that the majority of voters don’t want it. If Crosscut wants to perform a community service, why not call on the city council to promote an “honest” referendum between promenade, tunnel or elevated ...

Posted Fri, Jun 18, 10:40 a.m.

I agree with Wells about an honest review of AWV solutions by an “independent” panel. It should also include retention of the existing configuration. This solution, taken off the table early on in the process, was preferred by most of us including the DOT before it became embroiled in a ...

Posted Thu, Jun 17, 10:32 a.m.

Unfortunately the strategy is, and has always been, to knock down the viaduct on behalf of a few special interests, and then let whoever is still around figure out the transportation issues. Nickels is already gone; putting students to sleep at Harvard. Sims is elbow deep in his trophy job ...

Posted Thu, Jun 10, 11:43 a.m.

Baker - Assuming “new committee” means that it didn’t exist 5 years ago, it subsequently wouldn’t have “dug” into anything. If it had, and then “realistically” communicated to the public what we all know now about the “transportation” (moving things from one place to another) related facts…we would be refurbishing ...

Posted Wed, Jun 9, 1:54 p.m.

If this new oversight committee (with state, county, city, and Port of Seattle representatives) had dug carefully into the facts and — ideally — communicated realistically with the public about the risks and benefits 5 years ago, we would be refurbishing the existing viaduct right now. Let's hope that arties4453 ...

Posted Sun, Jun 6, 12:30 a.m.

So there's a new committee taking the baton for their leg of the Alaskan Way Viaduct Suboptimization Derby. It's important when you select the least desirable solution for a problem that you do the very best job you can to execute it. Lest we forget...no other proposed configuration for the ...

Posted Sun, May 23, 10:12 a.m.

The fact that the current SR99 Viaduct Replacement Project is the result of a witches brew of strong special interests, weak elected officials, phony referendums, back-room deals involving unrelated mega-projects and a parade of PR spinners, urban planning hobbyists and paid “expert” witnesses including folks who think Noah’s flood dug ...

Posted Sat, May 8, 10:48 p.m.

I don’t believe that Pierce County area taxpayers should foot the bill for I-5 cost overruns, unless local special interests decided that they wanted to reduce the number of lanes through the service area, and bury it in a tunnel so that a few thousand condo dwellers could improve their ...

Posted Sat, May 8, 9:34 a.m.

It would be great if Chopp returned to his original position supporting a refurbished viaduct. He knows that no other proposal matches the existing viaduct in any transportation related category. The rights of ways already exist. The configuration already can handle 110,000 vehicles a day. It already provides a bypass ...

Posted Thu, May 6, 4:23 p.m.

It could just be a trick...there's still time to sneak in a few more scams while tax payers are distracted. Maybe a couple more stadiums..?

Posted Sun, Apr 25, 9:53 p.m.

Wells…DUDE! You have me confused with someone else regarding the AWV. I endorse the EXISTING viaduct. Please don’t confuse me with VISIONARIES and the billion dollar scams to create some other zoology for the AWV. It is PERFECT exactly the way it is. The scam was that VISIONARIES took that ...

Posted Tue, Apr 20, 8:59 a.m.

I agree with Lincoln and suggest the Michael Ennis article appearing here: http://crosscut.com/2010/04/20/transportation/19745/ It further makes the case that successful transportation solutions for the future should/will be based on rubber tired vehicles. They scale easily, they are flexible, they are affordable and they allow for a realistic way to transition ...

Posted Tue, Apr 13, 10:24 a.m.

Any AWV solution with less capacity than the current viaduct is a giant mistake. Regardless of what happens financially with the proposed deep bore tunnel, the end result will be a backward step for the region. Brings to mind that old Brooks and Dunn tune, “You’re Gonna Miss Me When ...

Posted Sun, Apr 4, 8:58 p.m.

If this question appeared on an SAT I think the answer would be Tom Douglas.

Posted Thu, Apr 1, 2:27 p.m.

This all sounds so familiar. Oh yeah, this is how we wound up with the current viaduct design. Remind me again...how many visionaries does it take to screw in a light bulb?

Posted Wed, Mar 31, 9:55 a.m.

arties is absolutely right about upgrading the viaduct. No other proposal matches the existing viaduct in ANY transportation related category. The rights of ways already exist. The configuration already can handle 110,000 vehicles a day. It already provides a bypass for downtown and off ramps for the core, Ballard and ...

Posted Thu, Mar 4, 11:12 a.m.

Great article. There are only two criteria that have been set in stone throughout the entire viaduct / 520 bridge processes and neither have anything to do with transportation. The first is that the viaduct must be torn down….and the second is that the Montlake neighborhood is not to be ...

Posted Thu, Feb 18, 4:06 p.m.

I guess when faced with the facts, based on transportation criteria, that a refurbished viaduct is superior to ALL other proposed alternatives for Alaskan Way, the only remaining rebuttal would be: Cars are.. like.. insects... Dude !

Posted Wed, Feb 17, 1:39 p.m.

Good for McGinn. Now if the Almighty would just appear to the folks at Discovery Institute and tell them to stop screwing around with a tunnel and refurbish the Viaduct, we’d have a transportation design that works at a price we can afford.

Posted Thu, Feb 11, 11:11 a.m.

This article is more press release than news. Associating pragmatism with the tunnel solution is misleading. It pretends that there are only two viable solutions…tunnel or surface street. Based on transportation criteria a retrofit is clearly the best solution for the Viaduct considering new technology, capacity, routing, cost, functionality, and ...

Posted Wed, Feb 3, 1:53 p.m.

What is the definition of a temporary fix? 10-20-50 years? What kind of immortality do you believe any transportation element has? They all need maintenance and upgrades. Do you propose poorly designed, over priced, inefficient solutions because they can deliver inferior service for longer periods of time?

Posted Wed, Feb 3, 10:50 a.m.

Retrofit or replace the existing viaduct. The rights of ways already exist. The configuration already can handle 110,000 vehicles a day. It already provides a bypass for downtown and off ramps for the core, Ballard and West Seattle. It already meets the demands for commercial vehicles. It absolutely can be ...

Posted Mon, Jan 25, 10:07 p.m.

...or, to an even longer list of reasons to adopt a refurbished elevated viaduct, which by the way, is still the preferred choice of the majority of voters.

Posted Mon, Dec 28, 11:16 a.m.

Art is absolutely right. And if people were given an honest voting procedure they would still choose a refurbished viaduct. Technology has advanced for elevated road construction with seismic protection and there are examples all over the world. I can't believe that responsible transportation professionals will actually destroy an arterial ...

Posted Tue, Dec 15, 9:49 a.m.

Honest or not, McGinn's right when he says the tunnel is still a bad idea. Levels of honesty is not something even remotely associated with the Viaduct process anyway. The current plan is the result of an expensive, back room, PR magic show connived by developers, political flacks, urban hobbyists ...

Posted Wed, Nov 4, 3 p.m.

We have a new mayor because the process and alternatives for the viaduct were unacceptable to voters, and we have at least one new council person for the same reason. If you think that the Mercer Street project should be re-assessed, then why not a similarly questionable tunnel project that ...

Posted Tue, Oct 27, 10:44 a.m.

Again, if you conduct an honest vote between a new or refurbished viaduct, and a tunnel...the tunnel will lose. As to Mallahan/McGinn polling, all I can assume is that rational people realize that traffic (cars) must still move through that corridor. The tunnel would be the lesser of two evils ...

Posted Tue, Oct 27, 12:07 a.m.

These cartoons are part of the ongoing, expensive “tear down the viaduct” PR machine now going into a second “spin” cycle to support the Gregoire, Nickels, city council mistake to eliminate one of the only north/south arterials that actually works in this city. The design is a perfect example of ...

Posted Tue, Oct 20, 12:44 p.m.

The current viaduct solution is like the tale of the group of blind people describing an elephant. It is a transportation project that has been conceived by public relations people working for real estate speculators. No one knows what the outcome will be since the agenda had little to with ...

Posted Wed, Sep 30, 3:42 p.m.

How many people represented in your mode splits own and drive cars? What mode do they use when they travel for reasons other than commuting? (Commuting only accounts for about 30% to 40% of travel miles in most studies.) What mode do they choose when trips are unanticipated? What mode ...

Posted Tue, Sep 29, 1:48 p.m.

Hi Wells, I endorse all forms of getting around and I support your goal to remedy this “constitutional inequity” but I think it should take into consideration the gaps that you are trying to fill. When 90 percent of people want or need to drive cars and trucks you can’t ...

Posted Mon, Sep 28, 1:49 p.m.

-serial Some are in Japan. There some large examples in India...is that dense enough for you? But what's your point? Do you actually believe that individually owned, self-propelled vehicles are going the way of the dinosaur? Technology will evolve them through their current shortcomings size, fuel, speeds limits, roadway requirements ...

Posted Mon, Sep 28, 11:42 a.m.

This shrill "anything but an elevated solution" reflects the real problem with the entire project. It was always the goal of special interests to demolish the viaduct and eliminate any possible elevated replacement in spite of the fact that it was preferred by voters and remains the best solution today. ...

Posted Fri, Sep 25, 5 p.m.

Rob K I lived in Eastlake/Cascade for many years. It wasn't shiny and new...just an area that housed many small and medium sized businesses and smaller, more affordable housing than you find there today. I walked. I had a bicycle. I had a car. Mercer Street's capacity was the same ...

Posted Wed, Sep 23, 12:28 p.m.

It's difficult to re-design replacements for things that already work perfectly, except that they're not as "purdy" as some people think they should be. This process to destroy Mercer and the viaduct is like watching a Mack Sennett comedy, except that the last reel isn't going to be very funny.

Posted Tue, Sep 22, 9:39 a.m.

This must be a Jon Stewart set-up, right? The original plan to "fix" Mercer appeared to many as an aesthetic makeover and a favor for real estate developers at a cost of 190M dollars. It does not improve the purpose of the street which is to most efficiently move traffic. ...

Posted Mon, Sep 21, 10:33 a.m.

As with the viaduct, the visionaries who are dabbling with Mercer Street forget or ignore the fact that it is a transportation project. That means that its main purpose is to move the most popular choice of transport (rubber tired cars and trucks) as efficiently as possible. Crunican states it ...

Posted Fri, Sep 18, 4:28 p.m.

Cost and capacity was never a primary concern for a viaduct solution. All the leadership wanted was a way to tear it down to create real estate and amenities for the core area. It really is an important regional link that should be retrofitted or replaced...still the most efficient, most ...

Posted Sun, Sep 13, 9:06 a.m.

Mr Baker, I think in almost any society, if I see something that I would like buy for X, and you arrange for concessions and strategies for me to purchase it for a third of that cost, the savings to me might be considered a “what?” You select the word. ...

Posted Thu, Sep 10, 9:12 p.m.

Yo Baker, http://www.seattleweekly.com/2005-03-16/news/charitable-terms This article by Rick Anderson appeared in the 3-16-05 issue of the Weekly. First the city discounted the property from 71M to 50M. Then they returned 28M more by giving them the parking garage and improvements. Anderson wrote that no explanations were given about the deal from ...

Posted Thu, Sep 10, 11:39 a.m.

Great article. Far from being a “mess” Mercer is one of the most successful arterials in the city if you believe that streets are supposed to move rubber-tired vehicles from one place to another. The current plans for Mercer that reduce its capacity, is a final insult to tax payers ...

Posted Tue, Sep 8, 1:02 p.m.

Excuse me...mayor Nickels gave the parking lot to the Gates Foundation. The split monorail idea sound pretty good.

Posted Fri, Aug 21, 10:21 a.m.

Any solution for the viaduct that does not maintain at least its current capacity is a giant mistake. Voters knew this all along in spite of the hurricane of political scamming, PR and spin by experts, stakeholders and speculators who saw it only as a hugely profitable amenity for downtown, ...

Posted Tue, Aug 11, 7:06 a.m.

Thank you for the great article. This should be mandatory reading for every elected official in the state.

Posted Thu, Aug 6, 11:36 p.m.

We should do the obvious and retrofit the viaduct with provisions for aesthetics, noise abatement, bikes, pedestrian, etc. We can afford it. Then we should stop pretending that the last minute report from the discovery institute about new tunneling technology makes the current plan feasible. There are many elevated roadway ...

Posted Tue, Aug 4, 4:50 p.m.

If a real elevated vs. tunnel vote was held tomorrow the tunnel would lose. But since it looks like the patients have taken over the sanitarium I guess my second choice would be Rob K's Vespa idea. Or maybe Cushman Eagles...remember them?

Posted Sun, Aug 2, 8:20 p.m.

Wells, The vote in March 2007 was designed to obfuscate and confuse the entire viaduct issue and to skirt any honest voter preference for an "elevated" vs. "tunnel" solution. It was a million dollar trick played on voters, paid for with their own tax dollars. If you read the Crosscut ...

Posted Fri, Jul 31, 1:38 p.m.

And well it should. One could hope that with more time and scrutiny folks would finally act on what most of us already believe and flush this profoundly bad idea.

Posted Wed, Jul 29, 8:07 p.m.

Does the author mean that candidates who claim to be outsiders don’t understand the give and take of politics? Or won’t know how to articulate a position? Maybe they can’t find the toner for the copy machine? Do you mean they’re like the 5 year olds at baseball camp…won’t know ...

Posted Tue, Jul 28, 10:30 p.m.

This is a beautiful piece of writing. Hope there is more. Good for you and good for Crosscut. Thank you very much.

Posted Mon, Jul 27, 7:26 a.m.

It's refreshing to see that there are still people who realize that the entire Viaduct Epic has been equal parts "shuck" from the city council, "jive" from the mayor's office, "three-card Monte" from Olympia and a few "Hail Marys" from the Discovery Institute.

Posted Thu, Jul 23, 10 a.m.

What is it about election time that causes people to reset their memories to zero and adopt this odd comparative analysis template to reinvent the candidates? For years we've watched our present leadership do pretty much the same things over and over and over. We know exactly who is in ...

Posted Tue, Jul 21, 10:05 a.m.

Well, the joke's on them because it's going to be Shanghai.

Posted Tue, Jul 21, 8:02 a.m.

I fully agree with reason #5. It does takes longer to overwhelm people with bad ideas than it does with good ideas.

Posted Mon, Jul 20, 12:18 p.m.

I don’t understand why people keep calling Nickels a forceful, tough guy mayor? Tough leadership is serving a broad section of your constituency in a fair, even handed way even when they all have different agendas. But it’s not being tough when you choose to sell out to a few ...

Posted Mon, Jul 13, 10:59 p.m.

At this point I can overlook her past affiliations including her party. I don't even care how old she thinks the Grand Canyon might be or what caused it. All I know is that she is not an incumbant and compared with what we have now, she definitely passes the ...

Posted Wed, Jul 8, 10:46 a.m.

This is an interesting article as are others that trace and track the evolution of the city. But I don’t believe that it makes the case described in the last couple of sentences about the wisdom of, “transforming a fast, wide-shouldered highway into a transit-centric, leafy boulevard.” The mission of ...

Posted Wed, Jun 17, 5:17 p.m.

You’re right mhays, I incorrectly described the amended T.Y. Lin beefed up Gray design with the increased foundation and seawall work as their first report. This was deemed too costly by the DOT. But so what? I believe Art Skolniks responses described in the last third of your DJOC article ...

Posted Wed, Jun 17, 12:33 p.m.

The T.Y. Lin report requested by the DOT in 2006 stated that the viaduct could be retrofitted to meet current seismic standards as described by engineer Victor Gray, who has recommended this many times during the process. The report was not officially released (gee, wonder why?) but was obtained by ...

Posted Wed, Jun 17, 8:13 a.m.

It’s unfortunate that the poll didn’t also offer the retrofit or replacement option for consideration. I think it would show that most voters would choose to retain the viaduct with upgrades and provisions for bike/pedestrian traffic, noise abatement, seismic issues and aesthetics. This option was never fairly considered during the ...

Posted Wed, Jun 10, 2:42 p.m.

I think the problem with this article is that it seems to confuse “PR” with “NEWS.” The event obviously was a mutual admiration event for a group, some with similar experiences and goals. No problem with that as long as it is interpreted that way by those practicing journalism. For ...

Posted Sun, May 24, 8:50 p.m.

This is a great article that will truly resonate after your intelligently designed visionaries and urban hobbyists have destroyed your viaduct. Klaatu barada nikto

Posted Wed, May 13, 10:59 p.m.

Do not vote for any incumbents. It is the only power that you have to make any change. Seriously...just look at them. How hard can it be?

Posted Fri, May 8, 9:31 p.m.

I agree with council person Godden that our mayor and city council are servicing our special interests as fast as they can. We are spending whatever it takes to build sculpture gardens for rich folks to park their stuff, and burying 99 to provide real estate for developers and choosing ...

Posted Fri, May 1, 3:31 p.m.

Gee. I think Mayor Sell has a nice ring to it.

Posted Thu, Apr 30, 10:55 p.m.

I can only assume that Bozeman’s challenge to the gods for more vision from our leaders and more open space for our children is actually the last page of his do-list for some special interests who are working their will on downtown Seattle. Bozeman has no more ability or vision ...

Posted Mon, Apr 27, 10:02 p.m.

There are several flavors of Seattle Koolaid around so it’s hard to keep them straight. There was never a fair evaluation of the rebuild/retrofit solutions for the viaduct so it’s hard to make serious comparisons. The fix was in a long time ago. The viaduct is a series of related ...

Posted Sat, Apr 25, 12:56 a.m.

I think this piece is about fiscal responsibility and priorities. I think the author was suggesting that perhaps we should not be spending billions of dollars for a few special interests while we are cutting funds for public safety, health care, education and social services. The current viaduct solution is ...

Posted Wed, Apr 22, 10:25 p.m.

If Drago, Nickels and any other incumbant flaks appear on the ballot for anything we should utilize the confusing by design "trick ballot" that Drago and Tim Ceis cooked up for the viaduct referendum a few years ago. That way we can vote "NO" to all the retreads and enjoy ...

Posted Fri, Apr 10, 10:15 a.m.

I see your point. It's not like sticking up a convenience store. The billion dollars to be diverted from the Sound Transit money in question is federal money according to the GAO and cannot be used for state projects in this manner. So, your choice, “illegal” or “doing something not ...

Posted Thu, Apr 9, 10:15 p.m.

Let’s see. If we are paying attention and connecting the dots we see that Chopp endorses the tunnel option for the viaduct, and for that he will receive a favorable nod for the most expensive tunnel solution for the west end of the 520 bridge in his neighborhood (Montlake). But ...

Posted Wed, Mar 18, 10:23 a.m.

Great article. Virtually all of the facts relating to the viaduct replacement and associated transit solutions for downtown has been shouted down and buried by spinners, special interests and political flaks. From the million dollar "trick question" referendum to the delusional recommendations of the mysterious "stakeholders" the replacement solution for ...

Posted Fri, Mar 6, 10:25 p.m.

There are so many obvious places to start, considering the list of concessions and favors heaped on special interests and downtown developers by the council. Why not start with the most recent give-away that alters Mercer Street for Vulcan by reducing the streets capacity to move vehicles by eliminating a ...

Posted Thu, Mar 5, 10:32 a.m.

I don’t think Mayor Nickels and Deputy Mayor Ceis are completely against maritime activity. I have a feeling that if Vulcan wanted a place for Paul Allen to park his 416 foot long luxury yacht the “Octopus” they would both be down on the shores of South Lake Union in ...

Posted Sat, Jan 31, 3:16 p.m.

No matter how long the movers, shakers, speculators, urban hobbyists and contract spinners continue their dance of the sand crabs, the facts about the viaduct are still the same. Any solution that doesn’t have at least the same capacity as the present structure to move rubber tired vehicles is a ...

Posted Tue, Jan 20, 11:24 a.m.

Most world class cities have bypass routes that allow traffic to flow around or through a city without adding to congestion. If the capacity is sufficient then there is no need to sort out who is passing through and who is not…it’s decided by individual drivers. The viaduct now serves ...

Posted Fri, Jan 16, 6:20 p.m.

I’m not sure if the author is celebrating or indicting Drago. To dragoon is to “compel by coercion, threats, or crude means.” Why would anyone brag about being the brains behind the “nonsense vote” several years ago designed to obfuscate the issues and confuse voters about a viaduct solution? Isn’t ...

Posted Tue, Dec 30, 2:30 p.m.

It’s getting to be a stretch even for you to create yet another piece criticizing a replacement solution for the viaduct. It would be funny if it wasn’t just more of the same spin we’ve been hearing for the last 3 years that pretends that most of us want to ...