Entire Council approves “Pavilion” site

This is it folks. The site at 2nd and Thomas will be ground-zero for the new skatepark replacing SeaSk8.

The entire Council once again took on the issue and the discussion was inspiring. I have never heard so many elected officials say good things about skateparks and skateboarders.

Most notable was Peter Steinbrueck’s assessment of the situation at (33:10 on the video). He points out the negative message we’re sending to youth by taking forever to replace the skatepark, and by pushing them around like refugees in our public space. “The process has become corrupted and I think there’s been considerably excessive influence by key stakeholders in the Seattle Center… that doesn’t always result in the best planning…and the greater good…”

Check out the video and see/hear for yourself.

Now it’s time to hold the Seattle Center staff’s feet to the fire as they have a clear mandate to design and complete construction of the new park by early 2009.

Update: The P-I weighs in,

The Stranger Slogs it

Here’s the official press release from the City Council:

Seattle City Council
Councilmember David J. Della
Councilmember Richard Conlin
Councilmember Jan Drago

CONTACTS: David Namura, Della Office, (206) 684-8806; George Howland
Jr. Council Communications, (206) 684-8159

RELEASE DATE: August 6, 2007

COUNCIL PASSES NEW SKATE PARK LOCATION
Della sponsors legislation to create new skate park on Seattle Center
campus at Second and Thomas

SEATTLE – The Council, today, unanimously passed a bill sponsored by
Councilmember David J. Della that will develop a new skate park at
Seattle Center. Councilmember Della, chair of the Parks, Education,
Libraries, and Labor Committee said, “I’m pleased that we have built
consensus among skateboarders, people who love Seattle Center, and the
City’s political leaders on a location for a new skate park.”

The new skate park will be built at the corner of Second and Thomas,
currently the site of the Seattle Center Pavilions. The Council’s bill
directs Seattle Center to build an 8,900 square-feet skate park by the
second quarter of 2009. Councilmember Della said, “The skate park will
be a wonderful, new, accessible amenity for people to enjoy on the
Seattle Center campus. The skate park will be part of keeping Seattle
Center vital in the 21st Century.” Councilmember Jan Drago said, “This
legislation makes sure that we do a new skate park right. It is a very
satisfying end to years of Council work.” Councilmember Richard Conlin
said, “The new skate park will bring the new energy and excitement of
many new user–skateboard enthusiasts of all ages–to Seattle Center.”

The legislation says that the final skate park site design should
incorporate surrounding perimeter areas for additional amenities,
include a viewing area and open space for families and spectators to
view the skatepark, and create a family-friendly environment. Seattle
Center must also present a plan to the Council to develop alternative
sites for the current users of the pavilions. Councilmember Della said,
“It’s important that we passed this bill today after two and a half
years of work. A new skate park at Seattle Center is long overdue.”

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