A prominent architect points to one opportunity, missed so far, to counter some of the bleakness in our public spaces.
Lawrence W. Cheek's article on public spaces is very perceptive ("Why does Seattle have so many bleak public spaces?" May 18). I agree with another respondent that the Civic Center space at Seattle City Hall could have been included for criticism.
I was on the design team that prepared the Civic Center Plan and, in our plan, we envisioned a space much different than what was implemented ... a space that would invite the public and be enlivened with activity at what is now a red glass wall, a place to greet visiting mayors, and a place for summer concerts. We illustrated a space with water, terraced seating, and gardens with flowers, not unlike the Wells Fargo Tower garden space.
The idea was that the plantings and flowers would express the various seasons and require tending, representing a caring city government. We planned that this space would extend across Fourth Avenue and continue down to Third Avenue. I still have hope for a design of a lively, inviting public space extending down to Third Avenue as the proposed design envisions.
