Mark Hinshaw, FAIA, is an architect and urban planner. He was an architecture critic for The Seattle Times and is the author of many articles and books, including Citistate Seattle (1999).
These land-devouring, car-dependent malls were invented 60 years ago, with Seattle among the pioneers. Now they are in terminal decline. There was a better idea in Kansas City, but unfortunately it was eclipsed by our mania for malls.
The handsome old building is slated to be demolished to create a needed open plaza for the hospital complex. But must the choice between saving a building for unneeded medical purposes and having a small park? Here's a better way.
Seattle residents care about their waterfront, and we bring our own quirks. Taking those factors into account are critical to making James Corner's final plan into something that will soar.
The success of some New York public spaces such as the High Line and Bryant Park may be leading the architect for Seattle's proposed Waterfront Park to crowd and over-program a space that cries out for serenity and introspection.
Community Transit, serving north of Seattle, has made the smart move of buying sleek double-decker commuter buses. The ride is thrilling, and the views are stunning.
