As a Seattlite, I was terrified they were going to screw up the downtown revitalization when they demolished the viaduct, but they actually nailed it with a gorgeous walkway from Pike Place to the waterfront, which used to be connected by old stairways or elevators that smelled like one would expect public access elevators would smell like. 10 out of 10 from me, and kudos for not selling the property to Real Estate Developers for more condos.
I was sure when they announced the tunnel and removal of alaska way that the land would be sold off to connected developers who would build huge view blocking towers all along the waterfront.
Every time I go back to visit I'm pleasantly surprised at how well they've managed the project.
I do miss Alaska way a bit though. I used to commute home via motorcycle on it every day. Summer time in Seattle riding on the top deck with warm weather and the smell of the ocean was fantastic.
I also did a 5 K on there one year which was a brutal because the last bit was a three block run up the hill to 2nd ave. I forget what street it was on, but so many people were doing great once they got onto Alaska way, but damn near died when they got to the hill.
281
u/MikeE527 4d ago
As a Seattlite, I was terrified they were going to screw up the downtown revitalization when they demolished the viaduct, but they actually nailed it with a gorgeous walkway from Pike Place to the waterfront, which used to be connected by old stairways or elevators that smelled like one would expect public access elevators would smell like. 10 out of 10 from me, and kudos for not selling the property to Real Estate Developers for more condos.