Title: Applying Context Sensitive Techniques to Improve Design and Gain Stakeholder Support
Abstract: The Mercer Corridor is an integral part of a transportation network serving Seattle’s urban neighborhoods just north of downtown. This corridor has been the subject of decades of study with a wide range of alternatives. However, creating an acceptable solution has been complicated by the range of stakeholders, disagreement on project objectives and high costs. Previous alternatives typically focused on getting through the South Lake Union area to get to the Seattle Center - a regional arts and entertainment center – and surrounding neighborhoods to the west and north, with little consideration of how it serves the South Lake Union neighborhood itself. Changing land uses within South Lake Union has been a catalyst for developing a solution that works for a diverse stakeholder group, including the immediate neighborhood. The purpose of the Mercer Corridor project is to improve local safety, access, and circulation within the neighborhood for vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians, and provide for more efficient movement of traffic and freight through the corridor. This project would better accommodate anticipated urban density in the area as well as anticipated regional and local traffic growth by improving the efficiency of the available grid network and providing more direct connections from I-5 into and through South Lake Union for freight and general traffic. This paper will describe the extensive outreach and stakeholder involvement that resulted in a context sensitive solution reflecting community values, with a broad base of support while minimizing environmental impact. In addressing concerns of the freight and pedestrian community extensive analysis including a truck rodeo and inventory of pedestrian facilities was conducted. Research into other urban arterials to assess desirable design features and guidelines was conducted to address concerns about increasing the livability of the area, as well as maintaining the corridor's function as a regional connector. Finally, a sustainability workshop is planned to consider refinements to the design that improve the overall efficiency of the design and minimize environmental impact. The Mercer Corridor project is an exemplary context sensitive case study bringing multiple interests and stakeholders to the table to improve the overall quality of the design.
Publication Year: 2007
Publication Date: 2007-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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