TO: Seattle Department of Planning and Development FROM: Dr. Robert Horsch - Owner Resident of Madison Tower RE: Project #3021574 site of former Federal Reserve Bank The Design Review process for this project should be postponed until a full and complete application is available. In addition to completeness, other factors should be considered before reviewing the design. My first concern is the additional pressure on an already overloaded, narrow alley. Both people and cars use this alley day and night. It is difficult to see people on the Madison sidewalk when exiting the alley. The collection of garbage and recycling shuts down the use of the alley for both cars and people on a regular basis. The traffic gridlock on Spring at Second also result in gridlock in the alley since it can take several light cycles just to get one car out of the alley during rush hour. The alley simply cannot handle an increase in traffic without a huge increase in time delays, driver frustration, pedestrian risk and problems with deliveries and collections. The beauty and historic character of the Federal Reserve building will be destroyed utterly by anything close to the design options presented so far. This attempt at “Facadification� is truly a farce. The design options all reduce light, airflow and privacy for residents and pedestrians in an already restrictive downtown airspace. Please ask the developer to come back with plans that are complete and that retain the existing external footprint and airprint of this historic and well proportioned building. Sincerely,
Rob Horsch