Seattle Design Commission -- Overview

Overview

The Seattle Design Commission advises the Mayor, City Council and City departments on the design of capital improvements and other projects that shape Seattle's public realm. more

Next Meeting
The Seattle Design Commission meets on the first and third Thursdays of every month. The next meeting scheduled is:

Thursday, December 4, 2008
Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue, Boards and Commissions Room, L2-80

See agenda for the next meeting or the archive of minutes from past meetings. Want to schedule a review by the Design Commission? Contact Guillermo Romano (guillermo.romano@seattle.gov or 206 233-7808).

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Commissioners Meet the ten citizens that make up the Seattle Design Commission.
Darby Watson Urban Planner		Mary Johnston Architect		Graham Black At-Large Representative		Brendan Connolly Architect
John Hoffman Urban Designer		Andrew Barash Engineer		Dennis Ryan Urban Designer		Julie Parrett Landscape Architect
Nathan Polanski Get Engaged Representative		Norie Sato Fine Artist
Learn more about the commissioners.

News

Design Excellence Awards
On January 17, 2008, the Mayor and the Seattle Design Commision awarded five city projects for their design excellence.

Recommendations
Viaduct Replacement
The Seattle Design Commission believes there are only two viable starting points for the preferred option that can truly meet the challenges facing this City and the region while maximizing the associated urban design potentials of the project -‐ the on-grade option and the below grade option. Read the letter (12/2008).

Public Safety Building Site Redevelopment
The Seattle Design Commission recommends the Public Safety Building site be redeveloped to create a great public space to complete the City's civic campus. Read the report (9/2006).

SR 520 Bridge Replacement
The Seattle Design Commission believes it is premature to endorse the 6-lane option for the 520 bridge replacement and that the best mobility and urban design solution might rest in a yet-to-be-developed hybrid alternative. Read the letter (10/6/2006) to the Mayor and City Council.

The Commission is concerned about the impacts of the Pacific Interchange and recommends honing a 4-Lane hybrid option for SR 520. Read the letter (10/31/2006) to the Washington State Department of Transportation regarding their Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

Waterfront Plan
The Seattle Design Commission supports the City's Central Waterfront Plan and the Department of Planning and Development as the lead agency in its development. Read the letter (2/13/2006) to the Mayor and City Council, and an earlier letter (8/17/2005).

Visual Resume

The Grass Blades
See the AIA award-winning The Grass Blades at the Seattle Center and how the Design Commission's review made a difference in the development of this project. Open the Visual Resume.

photo by Benjamin Benschneider

Annual Report

2007 Report
In 2007, the Design Commission reviewed $12.7 billion worth of public projects. For details, see the commission's annual report.