Submitted by:
Tyler, University of Washington

Submitted by:
mseattle, Seattle

EMERALD KINGDOM
EMERALD KINGDOM is a proposal for a multi purpose facility that will either replace or enclosed the Key Arena. The kingdom will have a revamped or new Key Arena, 5 -Star Hotel, new indoor Fun Forest, retail space, and a revolutionary forest museum.

THE NAME
EK is the Kingdom of Emerald City. It will create the ultimate green experience.

ICONIC AND SYMBOLIC
The Emerald Kingdom will become a symbol of hope for our future and a beacon of light to our citizens through its presence and protection.

Skyline
-Emerald Kingdom will add much needed depth and intensity to Seattle Skyline.
-Designed like a mountain to reflect, Washington’s most prized jewel, Mt Rainer.

3 E’s (Elements of Life)
-Education- Revolutionary interactive forest museum
-Environment-indoor green space and secret garden.
-Entertainment- revamped arena, and Indoor theme park (New Fun Forest)

Submitted by:
Levi, Sonoji Sakai Intermediate School, Bainbridge Island

Submitted by:
Joshua J., Seattle

Submitted by:

Robert Houser, Seattle

Submitted by: Shania & Kela
Greenwood Elementary School, Seattle

Submitted by: Gregory M. (age 12)
North Bend

Submitted by a Snoqualmie Middle School sixth grader.

Submitted by:
Mike Leavitt, Seattle

With an ambitious new plan for The Seattle Center, we need to use what we have, which also provides an opportunity to annex the on-site global icons. The EMP is a product of a world-famous architect, and the Space Needle is a transcendent international landmark. A "Statue of Fertility" will add to these unique landscapes, while providing an epic new space for a Children's Museum and all-ages music venue. The Vera Project's existing use of Seattle Center facilities will benefit greatly from this new venue. New playground and lounge-type structures will provide the space for play and relaxation, while incorporating the architectural elements of the EMP instead of isolating the strange structure.

"Green" developments like water-collection, living roofs, and solar panels are obvious additions, but the bigger picture of "green" construction must be addressed beyond the modest requirements of LEED standards. We cannot continue to waste and demolish enormous structures in Seattle while touting environmental construction practices. Both Memorial Stadium and Key Arena can be "re-used", more efficiently utilized with realistic renovations, and much more fluidly incorporated with the rest of Seattle Center. Larger tree canopies will create more of a public park, and opening the actual center of the Seattle Center grounds will serve the same purpose.

Since the failing of The Seattle Commons, we will likely never have the Central Park Seattle has always wanted. But we may not need such an ambitious park. The SAM Sculpture Park has been an amazing addition to our landscape, and its wide-open, sweeping slopes can be mimicked with Seattle Center re-scaping. We need not ignore the sustainable facilities the Seattle Center already offers, while some intelligent, modest and courageous improvements can create an more worldly, innovative, efficient, and functional public space.

Submitted by: Kelsey Sobczak
Northshore Junior High, Bothell

The “coffee circle” would be located near International Fountain within an expanse of native landscaping.

Submitted by:
Thomas Repass, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Submitted by:
brgallag, Seattle

The presentation begins with an overarching urban analysis of Seattle as it pertains to Seattle Center. This analysis begins with the founded idea that there will, in the near future, be an intense densification of north downtown and South Lake Union pushing towards Seattle Center (slide 2). It then includes an investigation into uses around the city relating to uses that might be included as part of the Seattle Center campus with the intention of synergizing with this densification including, as examples, education, transportation (Seattle Center as a future transportation hub), sports complexes, parks (Seattle center as a continuation of Olmsted’s green ring and blue ring, slide 7), and the like (slides 3-6).

After the Urban Analysis stage of the project, the presentation moves to an insight as to the current strengths and weaknesses of the campus (slides 8, 9). It is from these strengths and weaknesses that a design concept for the campus can be formed.

But first, case studies are used to understand how other current design strategies with similar implications have approached these issues (slides 10-12).

The concept then evolves into that of a “permeable ring” through which a variety of uses are programmed to activate the site over a 24 hour period, the site is defined as a campus through a defined border, and this border is elevated and penetrable allowing a permeability through the campus from all sides. This ring allows densification at the edge of the campus creating an interface to the densification brought on by the city, additionally allowing an expansive, forested green space in the center. (slides 13-15).

Coordinated with the master planning design approach, the project then moves into a more architectural solution of the Center House as a campus hub serving as a creativity hub to the city. Programmatically from top to bottom, the Center House is broken down into artists lofts, moving down to shared art studios, then multimedia centers for film and other digital media, and finally towards the more public zones at ground level, display galleries and a more formal museum. The idea is that the program is a gradation from creation to demonstration or sharing of creativity. (slides 42-50)

Architecturally, as a building, the design is all about directionality and moving people through the ring from the city to the campus or vice versa.

Submitted by:
Howard Carson, Seattle

I would like to see the Seattle Center to be an all weather facility, so not having a Center House would take away usability during cold and/or wet days. In keeping with previously stated ideas, I see an inside looking out Center House with the food vendors (all local, no national franchises) in the center. Upper floors will be for a new home for the Children's Museum, Education, and Administration; as well as a rooftop public garden and restaurant. As a centerpiece I see two glass "Bubblators" similar to the elevators on the "La Defence" arch in Paris (see image in document). The outside glass will be lit up at night to glow in varied colors - maybe even to the beat of the same music that the International Fountain moves to.

In place of the Fun Forest I see a grassy area that will include an enclosed play tower that connects via bridge to the Center House (themed on the game Chutes and Ladders), a Splash Park for warm weather much like the one on Granville Island in Vancouver BC, and in the reflection of the Purple Haze wall on the EMP there should be an Interactive Sculpture Garden where all are encouraged to touch, climb, and play.

Submitted by:
RT Brokerage Services, Seattle

Submitted by:
Miki Mann, Bellevue

epiCenter Seattle

From Boeing to Microsoft to Biotech, the Seattle region impacts the world. As the world flattens, new locations (“epiCenters”) will arise; regions around the world with global impact. epiCenter Seattle is strategy to respond to the local context while becoming a focal point of epiCenters around the world.

Glen Zinck of Northshore Jr. High in Bothell raps for a new Seattle Center. Listen to the .mp3:

Submitted by:
Gabriel, Paris, France

-1- Sound & Light Pyramid

This gigantic show place is based upon a few strong principles:
a - A public theatre and a huge musical scene where modern groups and classical orchestras or operas can be performed
b - An inside height that compares with Space Needle
c - Above the scene, all the walls and roof spaces are used to represent sound by light - 3D images in real time (huge projectors, processors and programs to run in the backstage).
To understand how this is feasible, we need to put two scales in correspondance: the audible sounds scale and the visible light range. Sounds from zero hertz to 44 khz can match colours ranging from infra red to ultraviolet. When sounds are played, whether instruments or voices, colours of their relative frequency are displayed with 3D moving shapes, and their volume is proportional to sound intensity. Contrasts can use dark/light oppositions.
The challenge: to put musical artists, painters and high tech people at work in order to issue the 1st 3D real-time concert within just a few years.
Material: armed concrete. The inner light and energy is produced by solar panels on its sunny sides.

-2- Time Loom

This monument is a temple to human and universal creation. It encompasses world evolution from its origins to now along a richly illustrated spiral. When you reach the limit of present, you are striken by a huge space where suddenly everything becomes possible. People are standing here and now, on that everchanging line that is the root of future. By the little acts we are performing daily, we are weaving the threads of to morrow’s reality (projects, ideas, ways of life, ethics, behaviours…), thus determining our children’s future. By each single little action, we can create a great new Paradise on
Earth - or ruin the whole Earth creation if we don’t care! It’s a matter of choice.
To care or not to care… that is today’s question.
Architectural design: The building structure is based on a 7 branches star with three levels that narrate the evolution along an interior spiral. On the ground floor lays the “inert matter” level, the level where energy (more than inertia) and matter have built the material world where we can live. This floor represent the state of the art understanding of Cosmos history from the Big Bang or any major scientific event. Material: armed concrete, glass bricks.
The period when life appeared on Earth is shown when enterig the second floor. You discover the first stages of microsocpic life, then follow the development of cells to vegetation, allowing little by little more complex flora to appear.
The third level represents the periods when animal life developed, changed, evolved and gave birth to mammals, then primates, proto humans, and so on until Homo Sapiens who has not quite left the third floor (here the spiral continues ascending, but mankind is still evolving and needs some incentive…).
For the first time during this whole creation process, a creature can become the creator of its future. Here and now, we can give birth to a new mankind’s behaviours. This depends on our views, we need to analyze how we obeyed laws of past, like instinct, will power or selfish interest. We can show that responsible behaviours can bring a better welfare to all. The remaining space, one third of the building height, represents the blank future page that you, me, can write here and now in every single gesture and change occuring in our daily life.

----------
-3- Underground Parking
-4- International Fountain moved
-5- Memorial Wall moved
-6- Fun Forest moved on greenery
-7- The shadow on the grass can be the place of a multi-purpose stadium like Bercy in Paris, with the fountain on its roof.

Submitted by:
Bellevue

I once was a Worlds Fair !!!

I was crisp, clean and cutting edge. People came from all over the world to see me. I don't think I've been that for a long time.
You treat me like your backyard...where all the contraptions of forgotten origin get dumped; kids toys, swings and whatever else just needs a place to plop on any old spot. I'm not clean or crisp and my magic doesn't dazzle or inspire. It's just old news, over and over and over again. So if you make me over, please remember... I was a World's Fair once !!! Crisp and clean and cutting edge. Please bring my magic back to you.

Submitted by:
Melissa Gaeto, Newcastle

I'm a student at Parsons School of Design in New York City. I grew up in Seattle and frequented Seattle Center as a kid. I have pulled from many different places around the United States that I love: Columbus Circle, Central Park, Washington Square Park, Westlake Promenade in Westlake Village,Ca, and The Grove in Los Angeles.
This is what is missing at Seattle Center: artist lofts and gallery space, cafes, shops (pottery, kitchen, clothing, seattle shop, wine shop, specialty food, antique, real estate, tea shop, garden shop), miniature golf, gardens with benches and tables and chairs, movie theatre, bicycle renting, more parking, tennis/basketball courts, historical dedication site, winter ice skating, an array of classes offered to the public (dance, yoga, art), kiosks, fire pits for the summer, nightly summer shows, book store
Focus on using materials like brick, mosaic, large street lights, cobble stone paths with plants growing in-between
I think o have a "Seattle Center Clock Tower" would be neat and to have a wall of contributors to recognize all who have helped the community and the center.
More bike/running lanes- take advantage of Seattle tourism and put a trolly in that circles the park.
Obviously its a must ot have security cameras, police booths and informational booths.
It's crucial to consider the use of recycles goods like recycled water for a river running around the center or recycled materials.

Submitted by:
Larry L., Seattle

Be as green as an emerald

Submitted by:
Lenny (dog), Coupeville

Seattle Center should go to the dogs

Submitted by:
T C & P Design Company, Bellingham

In 2008, Sehome High students Tim Elliott, Paul Olason, and Collin Heggem will change the face of Seattle Center! They will attempt to redesign locations such as the Fun Forest, the Center House, and the Mercer Garage. Say “Hello” to the new Seattle Center!

The Center House will be replaced by a building with glass walls and a glass roof. A unique feature will be water rolling down the walls from small faucets on top of the roof. There will be a negative edge effect with water cascading from the roof. The water will come from collected rainwater. Inside, there will be a café, a lounge, and an information center. This new building will attract tourists to the extraordinary architecture and provide visitors to Seattle info about the city. The Center House will reuse rainwater that is collected in tanks from the gutters, drastically reducing water consumption.

Our redesign of SC will replace the “Fun” Forest with a large park and incorporate a *NW forest-themed restaurant. The SC Park will have trees, picnic tables, a jogging path, streams running through it, and energy-saving facilities. This park will replace the Fun Forest. SC Park will reduce energy consumption. This park would benefit the Seattle community because people wouldn’t have to suffer from the current noise pollution from the Fun Forest; it would give families a place to spend time and have fun together. The “Green factor” incorporated into this park is the use of NW plant life, the reduction of energy consumption from Fun Forest, and the energy-saving facilities.

The NW Forest restaurant located within the redesigned Fun Forest will include: waterfalls, plants, fish pools, a see-through dance floor (with fish under it), and gourmet food. The fish inside the pools will not be consumed, and will be purchased from local fish hatcheries. This restaurant will serve an array of international gourmet foods. This restaurant will hire well known chefs that will attract tourists. The “Green factor” of the restaurant will be the solar panels on the roof, powering the restaurant in the summer. The NW Forest restaurant will blend people with nature and provide fun for all ages.

Our vision of Seattle Center should be considered because it would bring a new face to Seattle, and it will serve as a social, cultural, and recreational hub of the city.

Submitted by:
Emily (age 11), Paris, France

My main idea is to have the Space Needle surrounded by water. Then I think it would be beautiful to have boldly colored bridges in all shapes and sizes connecting to the ground under the Space Needle. It would be also amazing to have multicolored lights shining up at the Space Needle and to have them gradually change colors. In my opinion having the Space Needle surrounded by water would really transform it into a centerpiece of the Seattle Center. In my drawing I added multiple grass fields and tried to open the Seattle Center up instead of having it cluttered such as it was before. Near the Experience Music Project there are two odd objects that look terrible thanks to my bad drawing. Really what I imagined them to be were rows of stalls connected together in the shape of what I drew. When I think of Seattle, I think of modern art and the rummage sales I used to go to. I imagined the stalls to be open with all sorts of fabulous art that the people of Seattle can make. I think it would be nice to have such an area in the Seattle Center since there aren't many other locations throughout the city. The stalls should be made of metal pipes and I think if some of the pipes were to be painted purple it would accent the purple haze of the Experience Music project which would be adjacent to the spot. When I think of Seattle I also think of Native American art, the beautiful glass produced by Seattle, the trees and rain (of course), and music. Even though it never really pours it would useful to have many covers and shaded sitting areas outside for the constant drizzling. I put in two stages in my drawing and several more should be added to encourage all the music in Seattle, and many more concerts would bring residents of Seattle to the Seattle Center much more. Also I'm sure it'd be beautiful to have totem poles scattered around the center. And in buildings to display glass making. Even if you don't use many of my ideas I have one request, please make Seattle Center colorful. The future and modern buildings have been represented in grey skyscrapers. If that is the future it's depressing. To have modern architecture in bold and brilliant colors is one step forward that no other city has really taken. Besides to add color is to make the Seattle Center happy and friendly looking even through rainy days.

Submitted by:
Jake Lowry, Carnation

Seattle goes back to its roots

Submitted by:
Kate W., Seattle

For the outdoors fans

Submitted by:
Nick W., Mount Vernon

A little bit of this, a little of that

Submitted by:
Anindita Mitra and Alex Sandoval, Seattle

Make it friendly to the casual visitors

With the opportunity to recover Seattle Center and integrate it back into the City, our intervention focuses on attracting people into this urban amenity. In its current state, Seattle Center does not offer services for casual users. That is, unless there is a specific activity (a concert, a game, a festival, etc) there’s no need to enter or to pass through. As such, the Center sits in relative isolation with respect to its surroundings.
Therefore, the design is arranged around an expansive lawn, with easy access and views in from adjacent streets. This lawn will be used to host a diversity of festivals, but most importantly, it becomes an area that people CAN USE, strollers, joggers, walkers, and so on, with or without an event. The lawn provides an opportunity to create an underground parking for the users of Seattle Center. The east border of the lawn will be flanked by a new administrative building and middle school. To the north, two new academic buildings (arts and dance) will provide a façade and buffer the service entrances into the theaters. The west and south sides will host a number of shops and cafes, public services inviting people to stop by to purchase the latest best seller or enjoy a sunny afternoon while having a cup of coffee overlooking the lawn. The Science Museum will welcome two new research facilities, the Renewable Energy Research Center and the Urban Agriculture Center. These two new facilities will be powered by a geothermal plant which will be used to teach kids the benefits of renewable energy. A public plaza will anchor these facilities and offer another area for outdoor performances. Key Arena will be renovated and retrofitted and will be used for professional and amateur sports, as well as shows and concerts. South of Key Arena will be an International Skate Park, a first class arena offering state-of-art facilities for skateboarding and extreme sports.
A transit terminal is proposed southwest of Key Arena. Here local and regional bus routes will serve the Center as will and extended monorail line and new urban station. To the north of the terminal a Teen Center will be provide a space for teenagers to come and experience music, arts and science in a comfortable and safe environment.
Finally, the garage to the north across Mercer Street will be demolished. In its place, Seattle Center will offer temporary housing for artists and a p-patch park that will be used by the residents of Lower Queen Anne.

Submitted by:
F1 fan, Seattle

Speed Center

I would create a race track in the Seattle center. Hopefully one that could host a Formula 1 race, and other types of racing. Since I work down town, I would love to hear the engines revving at 20,000rpm echoing through the streets. Plus, seeing a Ferrari Formula 1 car driving by the Space Needle at 180mph would be pretty cool as well. Seattle would be a nice place to host an F1 race. Not only does it have great scenery and nice people, there is more chance of rain to make the race interesting. Its what I would do if I were in charge. :-)

Submitted by:
Anonymous, Vashon

Cutting down to the city's heart

Submitted by:
Lee J. Wexler, Clinton

Start with its skyline

I propose another vertical structure complementing the Space Needle. The height and material used will be determined by consulting with structural engineers for the final working drawings.
The structure will be located centered in the grass area of the Fisher Pavilion opposite the International Fountain.
(Seattle Times note: Wexler also provided conceptual sketches of the memorial that are not posted here. The memorial is of arms reaching toward the sky with birds flying from the hands.) The birds on top are white doves of peace.
At certain times of the year the doves will be released honoring those men and women who have given their lives in wars defending our freedom.

Submitted by:
Rose Osborne and Clare Duncan, Bellingham

Make the fountain the central point

In order to revitalize Seattle Center, our plan redesigns five main points of interest and also makes Seattle Center more environmentally friendly.

The main entrance would be an interesting path that resembles a river with salmon. Visitors would be welcomed by a totem pole. Along the path, there would be statues of bears and cougars catching fish. The entrance would draw attention to the Space Needle.

The fountain is a central hub in the Center. From the fountain, concrete paths extending to all areas of the Center would be bordered by grass and gardens including native plants. Within the gardens, there will be statues relating to the theme of the buildings nearby.

The Center House will be a place to congregate. Restaurant booths and souvenir shops will line the walls and rows of tables will surround a raised section of floor that can be used as a stage. One wall of the House will be glass. A skylight above the stage and set back entrances will add to an outdoors feel. A “green” roof will help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Memorial Stadium will become more versatile. A large stage in front of Memorial Wall will be across the field from the entrance. Audiences will fill the solar panel-roofed bleachers. A station next to the stadium will provide Seattle Center with underground transportation.

The Children’s Area would make a great addition with lots of room to explore. It would be located in front of both the Pacific Science Center and the Children’s Theatre. There would be a large grassy field with rocks to climb, waterworks, a playground, and even a Ferris wheel. The rocks would be smooth and short enough to be safe, while tall enough to make children feel on top of the world. A seasonal ice rink would yet another source of amusement. The Ferris wheel would be a way to view the Space Needle like a smaller version of the London Eye.

An important thing to consider in the redesigning of the Seattle Center is the environmental factor. Solar panels atop many of the buildings, such as the Stadium, produce electricity, and trees would remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. White concrete reflects sunrays instead of retaining heat. The Center would also include a community green house.

This plan shows the best that Seattle Center can offer.

Submitted by:
Anonymous, Seattle

Welcome to the New Seattle Center!

Submitted by:
Eric Fisk, Seattle

Seattle Center for Kids

This set of suggestions is about letting Seattle Center fulfill a vision of being the Disneyland of the Northwest:
1. The Fun Forest is a rusting hulk that can't live up to it's potential as a temporary spot, but a permanent amusement park woud be a great addition to the area- look at elitch gardens in Denver.
2. EMP is an abomination as architecture, but would fit right in at an amusement park.
3. Who doesn't love mini golf? Seattle has some of the worst mini-golf courses in the United States. Let's fix that!
4. The only spot in the Center House that's nice is the children's museum- imagine what could be done if the entire atrium was turned over to the children's museum- adding an indoor playground?
5. The Europeans understand that parents need a beer garden, especially when surrounded by children. Let's get on board and add a Bavariam Beer Garden!
6. There are lots of grumpy childless people in Seattle that would like to mow down Seattle Center and turn it into a park. For them we dedicate a small pasture for sitting.
7. Key Arena might not be good enough for millionare basketball players and their billionare owners, but it's great for minor league sports and would be a great spot for whirligig!

Submitted by:
Jodi J., Seattle

Bring it back to the people

Submitted by:
Miles J, Seattle

Lake Seattle?

Seattle Center is not very friendly from the street. Walls or broad expanses of areas that do not encourage foot traffic tend to make the streets around the much of the Center devoid of people except during events. I have tried, by adding restaurants and retail along the streets, to make the Center’s exterior more pedestrian friendly.
The Seattle Center also lacks spaces that for people to connect with nature in an urban environment. I replaced Memorial Stadium with a lake surrounded by trees that encourages people to slow down. Restaurants along 5th Avenue look out over the lake and make the street more pedestrian friendly from the sidewalk. I imagine rowboats and miniature sailboat competitions there during the summer.
Additional parking is hidden underground near the two big draws to Seattle Center, EMP and the Space Needle. With the terminus for the monorail here, it would also make a great place for a transit hub. A children’s play area and open space around the Needle cover these garages. Access to parking is easy through the existing roundabouts.
The focuses of the design are both opening up the views of the Space Needle as well as making the International Fountain the central focus of the open areas. Tree lined walking paths encourage a slow passage through the grounds while making the Center easier to travel through.
Finally, with the addition of underground parking, the Mercer Garage can be eliminated, allowing redevelopment of this space into a more pedestrian friendly streetscape with shops at street level and low-income housing above.
Key Arena is a touchy situation that I felt it was premature to examine. I would like to see the wall created by the Northwest Rooms on the corner of Republican and 1st Avenue North replaced, again by something more pedestrian friendly.
accessible

Submitted by:
George Glanzman, Seattle

Take the best of what's around

Submitted by:
Linus K, Lake Forest Park

Not an EMP fan

Submitted by:
Blair E, Kirkland

Make the journey easier

1. The Memorial field is put undercover and combined with Key Arena to make the new Memorial Arena. If the arena is on the east side of the Center the traffic flow from I-5 back to I-5 along 5th Avenue North will be a more fluid path for traffic during big events. The Memorial Wall is prominently displayed at entrance.
2. At the west wall of the Arena is the Mural Amphitheatre stage for outdoor concerts allowing stage setup from the inside of the Arena.
3. Lawn, lawn, lawn everywhere. This particular area is for seating for concerts. In general, my design features lots of open spaces while still having all the current indoor spaces.
4. Fun Forest and water park incorporate the curves of the water park with the EMP a Rock and Roll Wild Waves if you will.
5. Two wide intersecting paths with some cool covered structure.
6. Four outdoor soccer/football field turf areas, Seattle loves to play soccer and needs more fields.
7. The center house I think is still needed but I moved it over here so we keep the open areas. Mabye with the new Arena can incorporate these areas. If so, now 4 more soccer fields can be added.
8. Get the monorail down to the waterfront. From the waterfront to the center to downtown and back.

Submitted by:
Jim D., Shoreline

Start at the center and work your way out.

Submitted by:
Gil B., Seattle

One major impact project that encompasses the Memorial Stadium and Fun Forest

1. Seattle Center is already a great place. The energy and enjoyment of the scene during Bumbershoot is magical. But the place could be even better in some areas. I hereby submit my ideas to enhance the Seattle Center and perhaps wake up the main tired areas.
2. My idea is to do one major impact project that encompasses the Memorial Stadium and Fun Forest areas. My idea is to remodel Memorial Stadium with a new stage replacing the south side seating with a grand open stage. The north side seating would be retained and would (finally) face a stage. I can picture enhanced use for concerts due to its new configuration and appeal. The athletic field will still be in use. Additional seating can be installed at the west end (current stage area).
The stadium seating would look past the stage to a new grand pool and fountain plaza and beyond that, the Space Needle. The pool and fountain would bebuilt in the Fun Forest area between the Center House and the incredible Experience Music Project area. The fountain should include awesome music-driven fountains similar to that found at the Bellagio casino in Las Vegas. The monorail terminal should float above the pool with bridges to the Center House and center grounds. I see how people congregate around the International Fountain during festivals so crowded that it is difficult to circle the fountain. Imagine a second fountain area to congregate, and this one right in front of the Experience Music Project masterpiece building. I could envision parking garage being built below this new pool/fountain plaza with access from Harrison Street. Maybe large enough to drive in touring bus/RVs for the performers.
The last part of this main project is to replace the Fun Forest area between the Mural Amphitheatre and the Space Needle with an awesome rollercoaster, visually awesome but not physically extreme, similar to the Loch Ness Monster coaster at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA. I can see riding the coaster to the top and all of a sudden facing the Space Needle at the top. This one item will be enough to bring in people looking for amusements, it will be a special coaster experience.
3. This idea will utilize the “tired” area of the center without eliminating the useful other areas used grandly during the Folklife and Bumbershoot festivals (for example). This idea would limit construction to one segment of the center making the other areas still usable during construction. This idea would open up the east side of the center with the new pool plaza and especially making the Experience Music Project building more visible. This idea would cost significantly less than outright replacing viable venues such as the Center House, KeyArena, Memorial Stadium, etc.

Submitted by:
Jane E., Seattle

My idea

Submitted by:
Jeff and Olivia (age 12)

Big space

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Curvilinear series of pedestrian paths

My proposal is to create Seattle symbolically within Seattle Center. My design includes a curvilinear series of pedestrian paths that link one end of the center to the other, also linking the Space Needle and Fountain. While vast open greenspaces between the paths provide much needed open space for passive recreation, they also represent the Emerald City. Flanking the sides of the paths are a continuous water feature or canal. The forms give hint to Seattle's linear formation, surrounded by water on both sides. New buildings adjacent help reinforce the shape of open space. A series of trees to the east mimick our national forests east of our suburbs. As one traverses the curvilinear paths, one is somewhat reminded of glimpses from before - the jetting fountain around the corner, similar to the sudden skyline one sees from around the bend of I-5.

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Submitted by:
Hucks, Seattle

The Center School has been an unqualified success...

Based on both actual and anecdotal evidence, The Center School (TCS) has been an unqualified success as a public high school. This achievement lives and breathes in the Center House and represents, along with the other great educational forums at the Center, an inspiration to transform Seattle Center into the Seattle Center for Education.

A complex of 6-8 small high schools would ring the existing open areas. Each school would have a particular emphasis and administration, but each would gear students to success in college. Additionally, students could participate across campuses and on shared sports teams.

For example, Messrs Gehry and Allen might add a school building adjacent to EMP to concentrate on Music. Some of Seattle’s biotech and medical powerhouses might contribute a wing to the Science Center for another school focusing on science. That Science School might work closely with an Athletics Academy which would be housed in a transformed Memorial Stadium. A Performing Arts School could be based at the Northwest Rooms. Perhaps the Gates Foundation would sponsor programs in international health and education. Other schools could be added incrementally, expanding the campus and its offerings.

The Center School has approximately 90 students per class, so about 360 total students. Multiplied by 6-8, and the Seattle Center for Education would have the advantages of small school sizes, but with the strengths of inter-school shared courses and activities. International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement courses would be distributed among the schools, giving each school the benefits of those programs. Foreign languages as well would be spread among the schools, providing further impetus for intermingling between the campuses. The facilities could be used for summer educational programs as well.

The utility of ideas for an underground parking and transit center would be magnified by this daytime, year-long use of the Center as a national showcase for educational excellence.

Finally, graduates of the Center would gravitate to Seattle Center year after year for athletic, performing, and reunion events, providing even greater long-term devotion to this site.

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My idea of seattle center....

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Multipurpose building of glass.

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New Seattle Center

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An indoor sports palace
Key to attached map
1. Key Arena turned into an indoor sports palace, where people can do all kinds of indoor sports. For example, batting cages, tennis, ping pong.
2. Meeting room for the use of groups like the Girl Scouts
3. Inside water park with a retractable roof. It will consist of fountains around big pools.
4. Pirate Ship play structures
5. Park benches with food vendors
6. Resting spots
7. Museum where people can make their own experiments and if they are good enough, they will put them on display.
8. Book store for kids with a section where grownups read to their kids.
9. Italian restaurant with outdoor tables
10. American food restaurant

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My main difference is...
My proposal is similar to that which is currently being considered with the replacement of Memorial Stadium in a north-south direction with one end of the stadium stands also serving as a stage for summer concerts. I would add more trees along the pathways and also some garden elements to the new open field between the stadium and the international fountain.

My main difference is that I would also sell the Mercer garage to purchase land just west of the Children's Theatre and move the Theatre to this new block opening up another large area of green space that connects well with the rest of the green area of Seattle Center. This could include a pond with a stream flowing to the pond which the new mural ampitheather would be located on. In addition, I would include a jogging path that weaves around the center.

Key arena would stay or be rebuilt/remodled and I would redo the center house as proposed with the children's play area and pond/ice skating rink in a portion of the area currently occupied by Fun Forest. Also, the Space needle would be surrounded by native northwest trees and plants.

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Hopefully were not putting this on the ballot

Submitted by:
Jane Garrison, Issaquah

Compatibility with Mother Earth
Seattle is considered a leader in the "green" movement, but it doesn't live up to that description. We need Seattle Center to showcase how people can live compatibly with Mother Earth. We read about amazing projects in Europe, Asia, and even other parts of our country. Seattle could be a world leader in this demonstration with the redesign of Seattle Center. Green roofs with usable gardens to nurture, native growth areas as lungs and habitat, solar accessibility and control to enhance living and growing conditions, wind for power, rain to replenish our weakened water supply, and even water from Puget Sound to represent the importance of the oceans could all be displayed in creative ways to help people realize their involvement in keeping the earth healthy. Since it could be outdated quickly, the design needs to be upgradeable.

Submitted by:
LaWana, Kirkland

Center House remain as an integral gathering space
I am currently a family subscriber to the Pacific Science Center and the Children's Museum. I take my sister, brother-in-law, niece, nephew, parents, and friends to both facilities and other events at the Seattle Center. I grew up riding the Bubbleator when I was little and later learning how to dance to big band music in the Center House. I would like to see the Center House remain as an integral gathering space for food and activities at the Seattle Center. We frequently eat there and attend events and displays based around the Center House. We also like to ride the monorail between Westlake and the Center House. When I was working near the Seattle Center, we often ate lunch at the Center House and relaxed in the sun near the Fountain. I think adequate and close parking is critical to the use of the area. I use the Mercer parking garage frequently and I do not want to see it eliminated. I also enjoy music on the amphitheater lawn during Bumbershoot. I do think an outdoor playground area for children would be a nice addition. And maybe a garden area with picnic facilities where people can eat outside after purchasing food in the Center House. I am against taxing the public to upgrade the Key Arena for the Sonics. If they can't pay for it themselves, then I think it is okay if they move. I am not sure how much Memorial Stadium is used, but if it is a critical piece of Seattle schools football programs then I think it should be kept. Otherwise, a giant underground parking garage with facilities on top of it might be nice. I think a lot of green space in downtown Seattle would be a positive addition. Thank you for including comments from the public. I am a Seattle native and have many, many memories of wonderful times spent at the Seattle Center.

Submitted by:
Seelah, Bellevue

A place where people can participate in playing games
My ideas are centered around the theme: creating a place where people can participate in playing games that have old world feel to them. I think these places will enhance the center if they were available and provide year round active options.

1) With the skate park in mind, build in close proximity to it, an arena that has multiple uses. Roller skating, Ice skating, barn dances. The city will maintain it so it is affordable and cheap to use. It will provide people with social places to stroll around, on the ground level and a second level above as track with additional walking or sitting areas. This way, the skating areas are easily viewable. It should be outdoors, but covered enough to use year round, with enough over-head gas heaters for the strollers and parents to keep warm. Maybe there will be art displayed on the second level too.

2) There should be a huge parking garage.

3) Also a multi level building with the following attributes:

a. Moving steps from the garage to this building, small cars trains, some type of people movers.
b. The main cafeteria will be here, this food court will be similar to the one provided in the Getty’s museum in California. Affordable, versatile, warm options, cold options and healthy.
c. Hopefully a bowling center upstairs or below, where you can even participate in midnight bowling. There will be several types of bowling styles; American, Canadian, other?
d. Movie theaters?
e. Center that will provide teens a place to train for work.
f. The children museum - creative center and Luna park rides can be on the top floor with cool views, yet safe behind glass walls.

4) Add 2-3 new monorail stops, so you can get off at different parts of the center, more like it is in Disneyland, a circle around the park.

Submitted by:
Fred Alkire, Seattle

Population around the Center will significantly increase…
Let’s begin with a basic assumption, that is that the population around the Center will significantly increase in the next twenty years. Therefore, the Center will need to accomodate the regular neighborhood visitor seeking a park experience. To do this, I would suggest the following:
1. Retain and enhance the International Fountain.
2. Remove the Memorial Stadium, opening the north quadrant to a park like setting with landscaping. Add grassy areas where pickup soccer games and just playing with the kids can take place. Unstructured use is good.
3. Replace the Fun Forest with a stage setting for music, dancers and plays. This couples nicely with the EMP to provide a musical corner for the Center.
4. Replace the Mural Amphitheatre with a playground facility. This abuts the children friendly Pacific Science Center and the Children's Theatre.
5. Retain the Center House for restrooms, food and adminstration. Also, this could provide covered playgrounds inside.
6. Put in a Paseo or path for walking and running that encircles the grounds.
7. KeyArena is a dead zone in the day. Remodel it such that shops and facilities in it are publically available. Open the area north of it to cart vendors in the summer time.
8. Demolish the Northwest rooms and replace with another entrance to the grounds.

What I am proposing is a Center that remains a destination for the arts and sports, but becomes friendlier to families to go out and be together on weekends and evenings. If you've been to a Parisian park, you know what I as envisioning.

Thank you.

Submitted by:
M.Carlson, Bothell

This idea is problematic in many ways
When I read the article that mentioned "Space Needle in the forest", I just had to write you! This idea is problematic in many ways. The first rule of landscape design is "the right plant in the right place". The area around the Space Needle is just too valuable to be taken up by towering evergreens. If they grow to 200 ft, and the needle is 605 ft, they would cover up a third of the height! The drawing in the Seattle Times is wildly inaccurate. What would happen to the New Year's fireworks? Not to mention how messy cedars are, and the damage they can do in a windstorm, both from large branches falling off or even the whole tree crushing the Space Needle. Please take a trip into the woods, and rethink this whole idea!
What I would like to see is a showcase for small trees suitable for streetscapes and the small gardens people have today. A stand of various Japanese maples would be nice in a shaded area, as well as rhododendrons. They have been overused, of course, but it's still our state flower.

Submitted by:
Charles Masoomian, Seattle

Leave it as wild as possible
It would be nice to provide small areas along the pathways to be made available for the natural vegetation and small animals to re-establish their habitat with as little human control as possible. Perhaps just a few trees, nursing logs and other native forest plants to be interspersed with free areas with decomposing organic material.
Leave it as wild as possible. I’m sure there must be many natural arborists in the Northwest who know how to do that.

Submitted by:
Stacy, Burien

Keep a ferris wheel and other rides for Adults. Many people enjoyed and still want the fun forest area for a pleasant economical entertainment. I like the ideas of more windows
Keep mural ampitheatre where it is. It is still a lovely setting. Put more seating there- permanent type so people can sit off grass- as the grass it often too muddy.
No fancy restaurant at all in the Food Circus bldg- as most people going to the center are not the ultra yuppies!,- need more variety of food, more international types and keep Quincy's too. Bring back the import shops!- they were a good draw for tourists.
We need the parking garage and another one also

Submitted by:
Jeff Richardson, San Diego

Seattle is quasi-famous for music
What do people already like to do at the Seattle Center?
If somebody suggests to you "Let's go down to the Center and listen to a band", don't you already want to go?
I come back to Seattle every year for Bumbershoot.
Seattle is quasi-famous for music. Why not provide a place for garage bands seeking their next gig, striving singer-songwriters, budding buskers, a capella rappers, or bagpipe quintets to plug in (if need be) and practice for free in front of an audience? Post a sign-up sheet, anyone can have an hour.
The Mural Amphitheater would already be suited for that. And if you're into construction projects, another outdoor venue could be relatively inexpensive, safe, cozy, and just the kind of place to make people wanna be at the Center.

Let's go down to the Center and see who's playing!
Who wouldn't say yes?

Submitted by:
Jeff Richardson, San Diego

Let's go down to the Center and see who's playing!
What do people already like to do at the Seattle Center?
If somebody suggests to you "Let's go down to the Center and listen to a band", don't you already want to go?
I come back to Seattle every year for Bumbershoot.
Seattle is quasi-famous for music. Why not provide a place for garage bands seeking their next gig, striving singer-songwriters, budding buskers, a capella rappers, or bagpipe quintets to plug in (if need be) and practice for free in front of an audience? Post a sign-up sheet, anyone can have an hour.
The Mural Amphitheater would already be suited for that. And if you're into construction projects, another outdoor venue could be relatively inexpensive, safe, cozy, and just the kind of place to make people wanna be at the Center.
Let's go down to the Center and see who's playing!
Who wouldn't say yes?

Submitted by:
Katie G, Edgewood

I have an idea
I have an idea. I simply LOVE everything going on at Seattle Center but I don't go hardly at all. Why?
First of all, almost everything that I'm interested in are places that you go to like once. Like the space needle. It's so cool and I love going but it's not something I'm going to come back to all the time. Once you've been up there already, it's not a big deal anymore. The restaurant makes us WANT to come back, but we can't afford it. Don't get rid of it ever! keep it. but it's just not something local people go to all the time.

I think it would be a good idea to place things in Seattle center that will make not only out of county/state visitors enjoy, but also keep the locals coming back. Things that wouldn't be so expensive to go to and family friendly.

My husband and I wish there was an ice skating rink there. A year-round one. Great place for locals and tourist to go to and family friendly. We would go to seattle a lot more if something like that we're there.
we're not super athletic so a sports center isn't really something we can do as a family with younger children. It is a good idea but I just think for whole family friendly stuff would make people coming back more often to spend their money.

I think an amphitheater is a good idea. I think there should be times when you have good family friendly local artist/bands or performers come and perform at festivals. It would bring the music scene back to Seattle in a positive way. Bands would get exposure and Seattle would get more money spending visitors.
You wouldn't have to charge tickets or anything like that. People just come and buy things at all the vendors in the area. A great place for private and public vendors of food or novelties. People would come. It doesn't have to be so spectacular.

ALSO, there are so many great things in Seattle I am discovering all the time. But I never knew about them unless I heard from a friend or read something in the paper or online by accident. I think Seattle Center needs to advertise more about Seattle's best kept secrets. Have Seattle residents vote on their favorite places and/or events and advertise those. Ya know? We live in Edgewood and never really know what goes on out there but we love to go to Seattle. But with this busy life it is hard to sit on the computer and search for things to do that we can afford.

So, more advertising and free stuff you want to come back to and an ice skating rink (indoor). I know SOO many people would LOVE that idea. Especially during the Summer when it's hot or the Holidays when ice skating is a simple must.
I grew up having an ice skating rink in my town and my family and I went all the time!

anyways, hope you like my ideas.I love all the museums but again, it's like, once you've seen it, you've seen it and that's it.

Matt Hays, Belltown

It could be much better
I've loved the Seattle Center for my entire life, and currently live nearby in Belltown.

The Center isn't broken, but it could be much better. Some highlights:

The corner at First & Republican should become a new park for the Lower Queen Anne business/resident community and visitors - where the upper part of the Northwest Rooms now stand. This should include a small public plaza with a water feature and lots of benches. It should be surrounded by lawns and big trees. A wide walkway should head east (or two - one next to Key Arena and one on the current axis, if we keep the pool), with a narrower walkway heading south to KeyArena. At both streets, the sidewalks should be widened due to frequent crowds.

The stadium and parking lot should go and the memorial should be moved nearby somewhere. I like the idea of a football/soccer field for high school events at the bandshell. Let the front of the stage be stairstepped, so it can double as a couple hundred covered game day seats. Creating a "lip" along the other side of the field is also a great idea... this can be a grass berm, but it would be better to have four or five tiers of benches. Let a path run behind the seats, with a roof over both sort of like the walkway west of the stadium. This would have dual purposes: the seats would be great eating spots during festivals or whenever. Combined, the two seating areas would accommodate over 1,000 sitting people with vast additional standing room, meaning we could avoid building a new stadium.

If the covered walkway/seats weren't desired in the center of the new open space, it would be fine to relocate the field to the west. This would put the seating next to the current covered walkway.

An outdoor food pavilion or two would augment the Center House's role. I'm thinking something like the new counters at the Ferry Terminal, plus a few dozen tables, some covered, some not.

The entrance at 2nd N & Mercer should be converted to something pedestrian friendly in lieu of the current "alley" format.

With the Fun Forest gone, it will be important to give that area some pizzaz through other means, not just grass and trees. A major water feature or series of them would be great. Maybe something that combines fountains and shallow water.

By all means, replace the Mercer Garage with underground parking. Hopefully the current garage double-block can be turned into housing, a hotel, offices, or whatever - something that adds people to the neighborhood.

Or how about a school? Queen Anne, Magnolia, and Downtown residents want a high schoool. Downtown, Lower Queen Anne, and South Lake Union don't even have a grade school. A straight-up trade for the stadium site could deed this site to SPS for a full-size grade school, or for a combined K-12 school with limited enrollment. The existing skybridge would come in handy when gym class heads out to the field.

We should improve pedestrian connections over Aurora (at minimum, a skybridge at Harrison or Thomas). This would give drivers the option of avoiding some of the traffic near the Center but still having an easy walk to events. (This is also a crucial element of encouraging people to walk in the LQA/SLU area.)

Within the Center, plenty of paved walkways should be built to accommodate the main obvious routes. These should be lined with big trees.

Submitted by:
Bryon, Seattle

Cities should strive to highlight their unique qualities
In a world that is increasingly blended, Cities should strive to highlight their unique qualities. One of Seattle's undervalued qualities is its vast array of music. How about incorporating a Soundgarden that reveals the Northwests deep and wide music roots? A place where one can be exposed to artists and celebrate their contributions. From Ernestine Anderson, to Nirvana, and Pearl Jam, from the Salish tribe to the Presidents of the United States of America, from the Seattle Symphony to the Seattle Men's Choir and the Garfield Jazz band, Jimmy Hendrix to the Ventures, and what a great place to spotlight new music and keep it fresh. A Soundgarden. (not to mention another great Seattle band!) Not to mention it brings 1.3 billion yearly into the Seattle households, and can't be outsourced.

Submitted by:
Raggedyann

My plan:
Well, not being a creative sort, I simply have a short list of things that, in my opinion, the committee really needs to keep in mind:

The events currently held at Seattle Center are either free or affordable. The redesign should not encourage the sponsors to make money off of the events - a single entrance would actually do this. Oh, everyone has to come in this way, we might as well charge!
If restrictions are put in place, then a single entrance would be fine.

Any single entrance should be near a bus stop that accommodates a few routes - not just the trolley stop. Many people do not have cars and rely on mass transit.

Current events should be enhanced by any redesign. Winterfest is fabulous! It could benefit from a redesign of the Center House. Better acoustics to accommodate the symphony and other musical events would be wonderful.

A taxi stop somewhere near Seattle Center would be beneficial, particularly for evening events. Currently, to catch a cab, one has to walk over to Queen Anne Ave. near Dick's as there is no place for them to wait or to cruise easily.

Clever signage would be very helpful. Seattle Center is large - and the signage that just has a map without telling which direction is not very helpful if you don't know exactly where you are, and if you get rid of the ferris wheel, there goes a landmark to figure out where you are!