Here you will find an archive of relevant documents, studies, reports, and information pertinent to the lidding of Interstate 5 in Seattle and the Center City in particular.
I-5 Systems Partnership Call to Action – A multi-agency report about the critical transportation infrastructure needs in the Puget Sound region.
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WSP Feasibility Study Proposal and Qualifications – An excerpt of the proposal from engineering firm WSP and its team for the I-5 lid feasibility study. The WSP team was one of 12 that submitted proposals to the Seattle Office of Planning and Community Development in January 2019.
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UW Real Estate Finance Study – A fall 2018 graduate studio at the University of Washington’s Runstad Center for Real Estate examined finance options for various lid scenarios.
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June 2017 Open House Presentation – An introduction and update on the campaign presented at the first Lid I-5 Community Open House.
Download PDF (16 MB)
May 2017 CNU Charrette Report – We partnered with the Congress for the New Urbanism national conference and key stakeholders to focus on the areas around Freeway Park. Document includes drawings, photos, and summaries of the ideas developed at the event.
Download PDF (14 MB)
May 2016 Charrette Report – The results of the campaign’s first public event which generated ideas and visions for how lidding I-5 could transform central Seattle. Includes drawings, photos, and summaries of the community’s concepts.
Download PDF (large file, 110 MB)
January 2017 Community Package Letter to Convention Center – A comment from a coalition of local organizations requested street and alley vacation public benefits, including for parks, transportation, and affordable housing. This was presented to the Convention Center Board of Directors on January 24, 2017.
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Pine-Boren Lid Park Concept – A concept plan from the Seattle Department of Transportation for a small lid at the base of Capitol Hill, at the east corner of the Pine Street and Boren Avenue intersection. This would extend the existing Plymouth Pillars Park and act as a demonstration project of larger lids in the Downtown area. SDOT has proposed the project be an open space public benefit tied to the Washington State Convention Center Addition.
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Lid I-5 Comment on Seattle 2035 Comprehensive Plan – A comment from the Steering Committee to the Seattle City Council on the need for minor policy language changes to support the concept of mitigating I-5 and other Seattle freeways.
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Let’s Bury I-5: An Urban Design Framework for Freeway Lids in Downtown Seattle – A 2015 graduate research thesis by Scott Bonjukian from the University of Washington’s Master of Urban Planning program. This work contains extensive details on the history of Interstate 5, case studies, a site analysis of the Downtown area, and recommendations for the design of future lids.
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Inventory of Public Benefits provided by Street and Alley Vacations – A 2016 report by the Seattle Department of Transportation on the past ten years of public benefits created through development of public streets and alleys. This is relevant to campaign’s interest in securing a lid feasibility study through the public benefit package of the Convention Center Addition.
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I-5 Lid: Madison Street to Spring Street Conceptual Study – A 2009 engineering study commissioned by the Seattle Department of Transportation with several concepts for lidding the area between Madison and Spring Street in Downtown. Includes renderings of landscape and retail options and preliminary cost estimates.
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Madison Overpass Pedestrian Improvements Study – A study commissioned by the Seattle Department of Planning and Development for conceptual pedestrian improvements to the Madison Street overpass. Includes sketches and preliminary cost estimates.
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The Blue Ring: Seattle’s Open Space Strategy for the Center City – A 2002 city plan for a series of public open spaces and corridors encircling Downtown Seattle and connecting Lake Union and Elliot Bay. An Interstate 5 lid from Pike Street to Harrison is roughly conceptualized as one part of the blue ring.
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Successes in Stewardship: Freeway Cap Parks Encourage Stakeholder Coordination, Reconnect Communities, and Promote Healthy Ecosystems – March 2016 newsletter from the Federal Highway Administration. Presents several case studies of successful freeway lid projects from around the nation and their many benefits to local communities.
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2011 Lid I-5 Concept Sketches – A series of conceptual drawings and sketches of lidding I-5 from the original Lid I-5 study group charrette.
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Seattle + Interstate 5: Past & Present – A 2012 graphic study of Interstate 5’s topographical conditions today and Seattle’s geography and street grid before it was built. Assembled by John Kennedy of SKL Architects.
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Seattle I-5 History – A short recounting of Interstate 5’s history in Seattle, local protests, and efforts to bridge the gap. Assembled by Dana Behar. More details can be found on the history page.
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The Economic Impacts of Parks – One page article with data on relation between parks and market values.
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Northgate Pedestrian Bridge Feasibility Study Report – Report on the potential for a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge over Interstate 5 in the Northgate neighborhood to connect with a new light rail station.
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Lid I-5 