It’s been a while, but we have several updates for you from the front lines of the Lid I-5 campaign.
Fundraising
Since the beginning of the year we have raised $22,000 thanks to the generous contributions of supporters like you. This funding has helped us host a successful public kickoff to the campaign – a charrette that had nearly 100 participants – and hire a public affairs and strategy consultant. We will continue to use that funding to plan future public events, build a coalition of local organizations, engage in political advocacy, and conduct media outreach.
We are excited to announce that one donor has pledged a $10,000 match to the Lid I-5 campaign if we can secure another donor of equal magnitude. If you or someone you know would be interested in helping us earn that match please get in touch! You can reply directly to this e-mail to reach us.
Campaign Video
Last month one of our campaign volunteers, Scott Bonjukian, made a five minute presentation at the annual Capitol Hill Housing community forum. His work summarizes the motivation for the campaign and our long term goals. Watch and share to spread the word!
Seattle Design Commission Meeting
The Seattle Design Commission’s next review of the Washington State Convention Center Addition and the street vacation public benefit package has been pushed back from this month to September. In relation to this, we will publish the Lid I-5 charrette report in mid-July. We’ll let you know when we have more details and how you can help advance the campaign’s request for a lid feasibility and engineering study.
Bellevue’s Grand Connection
The City of Bellevue is officially embarking on an effort to lid part of I-405, creating some healthy competition with our efforts here in Seattle. The Grand Connection project is a series of pedestrian and bicycle improvements connecting Meydenbauer Bay and the Wilburton commercial area. The City publicly adopted the project last December and recently hosted a large charrette to generate ideas. You can find out more on the Grand Connection website or the City of Bellevue project page.
ULI Panel Discussion
On June 1st a panel of lid experts from across the region discussed the pros and cons of lid parks and how to manage their design and operations. The event drew a large crowd and was another step in stirring a citywide buzz about lidding I-5.
Lid I-5 