MCGRAW SQUARE REACTIVATION PLAN
MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
Project Overview In 2011 The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) reallocated a portion of right of way at the junction of Westlake Avenue and Stewart Street in a public plaza. Since then The Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) has had a maintenance agreement with SDOT for this space. In 2016 with growing public use of the space and planned higher levels of density adjacent to it The Downtown Seattle Association launched a plan for improving the level of investment at the site to serve a wider number individuals who pass through the area on a daily basis. In early 2017 DSA contracted Framework to co-lead this effort. Together these two organizations have brought on additional subcontractors, fabricators, and artists to see through what turned out to be a one of a kind community project. This plan outlines the additional physical elements that will be sited at McGraw that will make it a more enjoyable asset to the surrounding community. These elements have been carefully chosen and designed to encourage interaction with the site, be
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child friendly and engaging, celebrate the existing rainwater infrastructure onsite and to be ADA compliant. The existing rain gardens on site were the inspiration for the additional elements that are described in these pages as they all tie back into the concept of water and how it’s flowing through the site supporting the native plantings found at the north edge of the space.
TEAM DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION FRAMEWORK
As Seattle becomes a more dense city it becomes more imperative for the public spaces we have to function to their greatest extent. These additional elements will make McGraw an enjoyable, interactive and playful oasis in a quickly changing landscape.
DCI BALLARD FORGE NK BUILD
THANK YOU SEATTLE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORATION
Content 02
Project Overview
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Context & Site History
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Project Goals
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Design Plan
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Design Components
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Project Timeline
MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
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Westlake Hub Strategy MCGRAW SQUARE
The Orpheum Theater (now the Westin) wit 1927
DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
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PHOTO LEFT: MCGRAW MONUMENT, 1917, FOUR YEARS AFTER ITS CONSTRUCTION (CITY OF SEATTLE ARCHIVES) PHOTO RIGHT: MCGRAW SQUARAW, JUNE 1927
McGraw Monument, 1917 (four years after its construction)
Context & Site History
In 1919, the Olmsted Bros. firm was hired as consultant to the Seattle Parks Department. Out of this commission a conceptual design for the McGraw “monument” was developed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. The proposal included a full redesign of the triangle island and a simple set of stairs at the base of the statue (right). The design was never implemented. PAGE 04
McGraw Square is located in the heart of Seattle at the interesction of Westlake Avenue, Stewart and Olive Street. Acquired by the City in 1911 for a public square, the location continues to be an eddy of calm in a bustling downtown core. The plaza is used by those who work and live in the downtown neighborhoods, as well as tourists and shoppers. In 2011, the Seattle Department of Transportation expanded the Plaza area and added amenities including in ground lighting, raingardens, and a shelter for bicycle racks.
“The best thing to do is first repair with concrete the entire space inside the street curb, treating it as a single continuous pavement...and second, to provide the monument with a simple sub-base consisting of broad steps or plinths...21 inches wide...and a wash of granite similar to that of the step or curbing.”
MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
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MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
McGraw Square is currently a plaza with numerous furnishings and amenities yet the space feels exposed and unwelcoming. Given its very central location McGraw is not utilized to its fullest potential. The following images depict McGraw Square in its current form and point out where there are opportunities for additional positive impacts.
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MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
1 Lack of clear delineation of the space makes McGraw Square existing seating feel exposed and uncomfortable.
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2 In ground illuminated pavers are a unique element that supports the use of McGraw Square in evening and low light conditions
4 Variety of colors create lack of unifying connection across the site.
5 Bicycle racks and repair station have been identified as a high bicycle theft prowl challenge. Conversely, shelter is well used by transit riders for overhead protection from rain.
3 HIgh quality, well maintained plantings are a highlight of the space. PAGE 07
MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
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Project Goals The overall goal of this project was to make McGraw Square a space for people to linger instead of simply pass through. At the onset of this project McGraw was relatively bare except for a handful of tables and chairs that are placed out daily and a food truck which roles in at lunch time. At the completion of this project there will be three additional seating elements onsite, new movable tables and chairs, additional plantings and lighting as well as more consistent staffing to provide users with information and amenities such as maps, games and reading materials.
in Seattle, using techniques Seattle is famous for. The concept design itself is also a reflection of something Seattle is famous for - water and having plenty of it. We wanted this pan to celebrate that instead of running away from it.
PROJECT GOALS: • •
• Adding a reason to stay and enjoy a public space is a critical part of any plaza design and when we have so few in Seattle this need becomes even greater. An additional project goal was for the elements included within this design to be a reflection of Seattle itself. Many of the elements within the site are fabricated here PAGE 08
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Build upon existing design successes Create an imageable & fun space that attracts a broader range of users: tourists and locals, young and old Tie together space through a strong concept and durable, low maintenance material choices Design for implementation over time with cohesive immediate and longer term strategies
MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
SITE CONSTRAINTS & OPPORTUNITIES
DESIGN CONSTRAINTS Avoiding existing in-ground lighting, maintaining pedestrian access, and
in-ground lighting
maintenance vehicle zone
panoramic views
keeping fixed furnishings outside the maintenance vehicle zone were
pedestrian flows
considerations taken into account throughout the design process.
pedestrian flows
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MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
RE-ACTIVATION
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McGraw Square There is both an immediate and long term plan for McGraw Square. In the short term that addition of improved seating, activation and programing will help demonstrate to the surrounding community what an asset this space could really be. The rendering as well as site plan on these next pages demonstrate what these short term improvements, implemented in 2018 will entail and how they will benefit the site. In approximately three years there will be a more extensive physical adjustment of the site. The South Lake Union Tracks that currently terminate at the plaza will be filled and instead continue up Stewart to connect to the new 1st Avenue Streetcar, expanding the space for additional pedestrian use. An additional project goal beyond improving the space in the short term is to gage how the public responds to these amenities and adjust accordingly and rework for longer term implementation when more substantial changes come down the line and the plaza becomes a larger community space.
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MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
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MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
McGraw Square Upon entering the improved McGraw Square from Westlake Avenue to the north you will be greeted by two curved benches that both reflect the curvature of the original site design and have a slight undulation that is reminiscent of the water treatment which occurs on site. These benches will provide ample seating for multiple people at once and face towards the sun so that on nice days people can gather on their lunch break and recline, rest or make plans for the next stop on their wanderings around Downtown Seattle. To your left will be two rain drop shaped swivel chairs that both children and adults will take great joy in using. The chairs are uniquely designed to have the strength of their steel core but dipped in a plastic surfacing so there is no fear of little fingers or toes being harmed while climbing and playing on them. In the center of the site will be two main components, the most identifiable will be the puddle furnishings, as depicted in the rendering on page 10. These bulbous benches are perfect for children to climb all over or for adults to sit and find their perfect groove. Scattered around the site will be new and coordinating dark blue tables and chairs that site users can move around or clump together in whatever configuration they want or need, whether for lunch, a morning meeting, or to take some solace from the office and read a book or work on a report. Surrounding the site will be planters of varieties of sizes and heights that help to frame the space and separate it from the surrounding noise and traffic. These planters will be overflowing with greenery and rotated seasonally.
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NORTH >
E AV H 5T
MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
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MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
Westlake Square Westlake Square is a small triangle parcel that sits in Westlake Avenue at the intersection of 6th and Westlake. The island has taken many shapes and forms throughout its history from a transit stop to a public restroom and now a mere blank space in the middle of the street. As plans move forward for the extension of the South Lake Union Trolley past this site there was a proposed plan to house a large electrical substation on this site which would have appeared like a giant shipping container. DSA spoke up and said that in an area as dense as this we need to protect whatever small public space we have. Even though today many people don’t even notice this small space, DSA believes that it has the potential to serve it’s community and become a small, unexpected oasis. Seattle’s Department of Transportation listened and has agreed to place the substation below grade leaving this site open for future improvements and activation. Already by simply adding some greenery the site has already become much more comfortable and with added tables and chairs the space will become even better. We hope to continue to bring more amenities to this site creating a true pocket park in one of the most unexpected of places.
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MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
E
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WESTLAKE AV
AV
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MCGRAW SQUARE
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DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
1 PUDDLE SEATING
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2 PLAYFUL WAVES 3 DROPLET CHAIRS
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3
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4 TABLES & CHAIRS 5 LIGHTING 6 PLANTERS
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MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
Design Components As mentioned earlier the greater design concept behind the entire site is to celebrate water and the sustainable treatment of itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s use on site. Each design component within this plan was chosen carefully by the design team to both reflect that greater concept. More importantly, however the amenities encourage and support a diverse way of interacting with the site. The design team wanted to look outside of the typical elements we see across the city and try out some designs that have never been seen here in Seattle. Furthermore particular elements were custom designed by local fabricators for this space, who have a personal interest in improving their own city.
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MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
#173 LAVA - MOUNTING
27.03 2015
FEET FOR HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT (6 feet (M8) are supplied)
6 x M8 Stainless steel Neutral PVC
#173 LAVA - MOUNTING
FEET FOR HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT (6 feet (M8) are supplied)
27.03 2015
31,5mm
5.5mm
Neutral PVC
Ø 25mm
out-sider a/s Kigkurren 8A, Islands Brygge DK-2300 Copenhagen S
info@out-sider.dk +45 2261 7420 www.out-sider.dk
Blue: RAL 5003 31,5mm
5.5mm
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COLOR
6 x M8 Stainless steel Ø 25mm
MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
PUDDLE SEATING A key part of this project was to bring a sense of playfulness into the space - our puddle seats do just that. These blue, polythylene bulbous benches are durable, weatherproof and clearly reminiscent of giant blobs of water. They call out to people to run their hands over them, run across them and lounge or sit across them in whatever way feel most enjoyable. These benches are fabricated in Denmark and this will be their debut here in Seattle. We canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to see how people engage with them.
INFORMATION
COMPONENT 1 OF 6
Rotation molded polythylene. Molded as a single piece. UV resistant, durable in all weather, wear and tear. Material is suitable for recycling.
SPECIFICATIONS o
Dimensions L2600 x B1200 x H500mm
o
Mounting Bracket fittings ordered separately, drill mount into concrete
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Maintenance Withstands most cleaning agents and chemicals and can be cleaned using a high-pressure washer. The color can be revived using vinyl cleaner
o
Manufacturer www.out-sider.dk PAGE 19
MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
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MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
PLAYFUL WAVES On a sunny day McGraw in packed with people trying to find a sunny place to eat their lunch of rest from wandering around the city. We recognize that not all people would feel inclined to sit on benches that look like giant blobs of water and may enjoy more of a typical bench element. That said we still wanted the more “adult” fixture to speak to water in a different way. These locally designed benches by NK Build replicate the curvature of the site while giving the public a large space to soak in the sun, place their bags and converse with one another.
INFORMATION
COMPONENT 2 OF 6
A sturdy welded base of painted steel with custom subtle elevation changes. Highly durable mahogany wood slats create a comfortable seating surface. Custom fabrication & installation by NK Build [nkbuild.com]
SPECIFICATIONS o
Seat elevation will vary between
o
Two concave benches with
14-22” in height spacing to accomodate pedestrian access to space o
Mahogany wood surface
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MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
2
DETAIL: DROP CHAIR SIDE VIEW Scale: 1" = 1' 0"
2
5
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DETAIL: DROP CHAIR SIDE VIEW Scale: 1" = 1' 0"
DETAIL: DROP CHAIR TOP VIEW Scale: 1" = 1' 0"
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DETAIL: DROP CHAIR TOP VIEW Scale: 1" = 1' 0"
MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
DROPLET CHAIRS Possibly the most innovative addition within our plan is to reuse an existing transit shelter as a cover for two drop chairs that will hang from the shelter and look like raindrops that people can sit or spin inside of. This element is a continuation of the encouragement to play on site. The droplet chairs were designed by Framework and fabricated by Ballard Forge, another local fabricator.
INFORMATION
COMPONENT 3 OF 6
Custom fabrication by Ballard Forge [www.ballardforge.com]
SPECIFICATIONS o
Top connection to allow swivel
o
Bottom connection to prevent
360 degree views swinging motion o
Blue RAL paint to match Tables and Chairs.
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MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
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MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
TABLES & CHAIRS Movable tables and Chairs have become synonymous with well functioning urban spaces. There is a good reason for this, people naturally want to have the ability to manipulate the way they experience a place and choosing how to position oneself is a way to do that. Flexible seating also allows for groups to sit comfortably together and for those who want respite to create that space as well. Currently there simply aren’t enough tables and chairs in McGraw so we are doubling the amount currently there. The new tables and chairs will also match the other new elements.
INFORMATION
COMPONENT 4 OF 6
www.emuamericas.com
SPECIFICATIONS o
H32” W17”
o
18”
D17”
o
E-coated powder coat finish
Lbs
COLOR
o
Frame:
Steel
Turquise
o
Seat/Back:
Steel Slats
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MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
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MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
LIGHTING
COMPONENT 5 OF 6
One of the more intriguing components of the original site design for McGraw Square are inlaid lights that spread across the site. While these lights create a beautiful effect at night they do not provide enough light for the space to feel entirely safe. As part of our proposed improvements SDOT will be addition additional access to power on site so that rotating temporary additional lights can be brought into the site. Simple tree lighting will be added to the site while in the future there could be additional projecting onto the adjacent building, or more of a cafe catenary lighting treatment once the tracks are removed.
From Left: Mbeam - Lichtkunst + Lichtinstallation Lucent Worldwide â&#x20AC;&#x153;Downpourâ&#x20AC;? Ronstan Tensile Architecture
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MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
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MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
PLANTERS One this we hear consistently from the community is that they want to have more greenery downtown. As part of the design nine new planters have been added to McGraw as well as custom made planting poles that allow for a vertical green element which serves to frame the space and bring added lushness to the space. These plants are grown by a local nursery and rotated seasonally. This bit of bright welcoming color is a perfect addition to the space and one that we hope to expand as the site expands in the future.
INFORMATION
COMPONENT 6 OF 6
Marshal Walton [www.cityplantersseattle.com]
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MCGRAW SQUARE DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
5 MENU
Project Timeline RE-ACTIVATION DESIGN
CUSTOM FABRICATION
GRAND RE-OPENING
Winter 2016
Winter 2017
Summer 2017
Fall 2017
Winter 2018
Spring 2018
DSA decides to
Framework
Subcontractors
Designs for
Construction begins
Installation
make additional
comes on board
and fabricators
seating elements
and grand
investment in
and concept
are hired and
are finalized and
opening
McGraw Square
plan is created
begin design
submitted for
work . Seating
SDOT review
elements are purchased
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CONSTRUCTION & INSTALLATION
MCGRAW SQUARE RE-DESIGN
MCGRAW SQUARE
Thanks
DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION
Thank you for taking the time to review this document, we are excited to present the future of McGraw and Westlake Squares. These improvements will make this site more welcoming, safer, and provide a space that Downtown Seattle can be proud to share and enjoy. The team of fabricators, designers and management staff behind this project all care deeply about the benefits of their work to public space. These teams and individuals have worked hard to choose and create amenities that are both a reflection of Seattleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s culture and well as serve the needs of the thousands of people a day who use, view and intersect with these two sites on a daily basis. We hope you will join us in the improvement and enjoyment of a much needed oasis in our urban core.
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DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION 1809 7th Avenue Suite 900
CONTACT 206 623 0340 www.downtownseattle.com
MCGRAW SQUARE