The Seattle Streetcar Thread - Page 13

Ginkgo · December 8th, 2009, 06:18 PM

The sunken lights at this plaza are blue and give a very nice effect. BTW, artwork installed at the actual streetcar terminus at Olive (glass cover with some neon tubes below) has been covered up with a sewer-like manhole cover. Unless someone knows about this, I'll try to find out.

sequoias · December 8th, 2009, 07:07 PM

I didn't notice that one before....paved over with just concentre instead of something else. Where's the love?

Ruffhauser · December 8th, 2009, 09:48 PM

It needs some TLC, but at least it's not an open sewer like it was before.

You would walk by that area in the summer and it would just reek of wino piss.

CrazyAboutCities · December 9th, 2009, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Backstrom

Don't worry, landscaping will all be added in later. The Westlake Hub plan will still take a few months.

If so, they should have wait then. That is waste of our tax money!

mhays · December 9th, 2009, 07:10 AM

What sort of insider information do you have? Or were you basing that on nothing?

CrazyAboutCities · December 9th, 2009, 10:35 PM

I think it is waste of tax money to pave this plaza then demolish it to make way for landscaping. I think they should have wait until they're ready to start construction on planned plaza. I don't get it why anyone have to demolish something then put something on it then start over again in short time.

mhays · December 9th, 2009, 11:11 PM

You might be right.

On the other hand, there are all sorts of reasons why it could be cheaper or better their way.... Maybe the demo exposed some conditions they needed to expose to complete design on the larger project. Or maybe that block isn't supposed to happen until 2011, since we really don't know the schedule aside from old projections. Maybe they plan to incorporate the current paving into to the final plaza. Maybe the safety issue was important enough to do now rather than wait.

You seem to be attacking people without knowing the situation.

CityView Jim · December 9th, 2009, 11:13 PM

It doesn't like they plan to do too much more with this little plaza. Looks like a large planter parallel to Westlake will be placed and that's about it. They've left the large trees and some planting strips. Look at the 2nd page of this:

http://www.seattle.gov/transportatio...t_Westlake.pdf

Ginkgo · December 10th, 2009, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyAboutCities

I think it is waste of tax money to pave this plaza then demolish it to make way for landscaping. I think they should have wait until they're ready to start construction on planned plaza. I don't get it why anyone have to demolish something then put something on it then start over again in short time.

It's only cement, so it won't take much to break it up for landscaping. And sunken blue lights are nice in the meantime. You'll remember that before the demo it was the perpetual hangout place for what looked like homeless youth, who spent all day on the benches. I never went by at night, but even in the day, I avoided that plaza. I'd rather have what's there now--temporarily-than what it was like before.

CrazyAboutCities · December 10th, 2009, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhays

You might be right.

On the other hand, there are all sorts of reasons why it could be cheaper or better their way.... Maybe the demo exposed some conditions they needed to expose to complete design on the larger project. Or maybe that block isn't supposed to happen until 2011, since we really don't know the schedule aside from old projections. Maybe they plan to incorporate the current paving into to the final plaza. Maybe the safety issue was important enough to do now rather than wait.

You seem to be attacking people without knowing the situation.

I didn't mean to make it sounds like I "attack" people. I just expressed my frustration with some politicians that didn't think smart with the way they spend our tax money on some projects.

CrazyAboutCities · December 10th, 2009, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginkgo

It's only cement, so it won't take much to break it up for landscaping. And sunken blue lights are nice in the meantime. You'll remember that before the demo it was the perpetual hangout place for what looked like homeless youth, who spent all day on the benches. I never went by at night, but even in the day, I avoided that plaza. I'd rather have what's there now--temporarily-than what it was like before.

That's understandable. I avoided that plaza also for same reason. I won't be surprised if any homeless bums still sleeping there even it is just cement or new plaza when it get built.

mhays · December 11th, 2009, 06:03 AM

It's concrete, not cement. Cement is a powder that is mixed with water and aggregate to form concrete.

As for those politicians, it would be better if you criticize them with some basis in knowledge rather than wild guesses.

Seasun · December 11th, 2009, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginkgo

The sunken lights at this plaza are blue and give a very nice effect. BTW, artwork installed at the actual streetcar terminus at Olive (glass cover with some neon tubes below) has been covered up with a sewer-like manhole cover. Unless someone knows about this, I'll try to find out.

Explanation from seattle.gov:

Quote:

Comment from mj
Time December 8, 2009 at 12:45 pm

what happened to this? it stopped working, looked to be full of moisture, and now has a manhole cover over it…

Comment from Lori Patrick, Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs
Time December 8, 2009 at 4:35 pm

Unfortunately, heavy rains this fall flooded the artwork. We temporarily covered the piece to protect it until we can address the water issue and make the necessary repairs.

I gotta say - the old "heavy rains" reference seems a little lame. First of all this is Seattle - it rains quite a bit. Secondly, we're talking about a little tube buried only 4 to 6 feet deep. I'm not claiming all art or construction should be defect free but I think it's lame to imply that the designer didn't anticipate heavy rain.

I saw the manhole cover last night for the first time. Looks like a very special and expensive cover with the bolt pattern around the perimeter of the lid (and made in France). I spoke to an SDOT inspector several months ago about the neon artwork - it's several feet deep with a nice engraved surface flush with the sidewalk. The ring has mayor Nickels name on it so it kind of looked like a memorial or where his ashes could be interred (his body wouldn't fit! nor would mine for that matter!).

It is really hard to do interesting sidewalk art that is durable enough to handle normal wear and tear as well as intentional vandalism while also not being too slippery, confusing, electricity hungry, costly, etc. I do kind of like the paint jobs on the signal control boxes at many downtown (and Belltown?) intersections. So far I haven't seen them defaced.

Added: if you're interested - just found these videos of the installation - too long (I only watched a little bit) but gives a sense of how many people worked on this installation. I think 1% for art probably is getting closer to 1.5% for art in this case!

CrazyAboutCities · December 11th, 2009, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhays

It's concrete, not cement. Cement is a powder that is mixed with water and aggregate to form concrete.

As for those politicians, it would be better if you criticize them with some basis in knowledge rather than wild guesses.

Really? You did same thing. You also criticized some people that you don't have basis in knowledge. I don't even care what you think of anyone and you have the rights to express your opinions against anyone that you're not fond of. I have the rights to express my opinions here with basic in knowledge or even wild guesses as well. I don't appreciate that you lecture me like that.

BoulderGrad · December 11th, 2009, 08:37 PM

RMacherat · December 11th, 2009, 08:40 PM

Thanks BG, you almost knocked me off my chair

mhays · December 11th, 2009, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyAboutCities

Really? You did same thing. You also criticized some people that you don't have basis in knowledge. I don't even care what you think of anyone and you have the rights to express your opinions against anyone that you're not fond of. I have the rights to express my opinions here with basic in knowledge or even wild guesses as well. I don't appreciate that you lecture me like that.

"I think it is waste of tax money to pave this plaza then demolish it to make way for landscaping. I think they should have wait until they're ready to start construction on planned plaza. I don't get it why anyone have to demolish something then put something on it then start over again in short time.

"

If you phrased it as a question and left out the emoticon it wouldn't sound like an attack, and it wouldn't sound like you think you're an expert. Since you did, don't expect immunity from being called on it.

CrazyAboutCities · December 11th, 2009, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhays

"I think it is waste of tax money to pave this plaza then demolish it to make way for landscaping. I think they should have wait until they're ready to start construction on planned plaza. I don't get it why anyone have to demolish something then put something on it then start over again in short time.

"

If you phrased it as a question and left out the emoticon it wouldn't sound like an attack, and it wouldn't sound like you think you're an expert. Since you did, don't expect immunity from being called on it.

I told you, I didn't mean it sounded like I was attacking someone. I was just expressed myself. Sorry that you didn't see that way. I have been here for over three years and I think you should know what exactly I mean by now and sometime my posts might sound something different to you and some others like might be offensive which isn't really me. I am trying hard to make my English better so no one is offended here. I thought this emotion "

:" was an appropriate way to express my frustration with the politicians for the way they spend our tax money. Some people on this website used same kind of emotion face when they express their emotions. If they can do it why can't I do that too? Anyway, I didn't expect this to get off topic here. Let's get back to the topic.

guinessbeer55 · December 13th, 2009, 12:32 AM

where are you from crazy?

Capitol Hill · December 13th, 2009, 03:26 AM

In defesne of Crazy About Cities, he misused a word in some of his posts. I sent him a private message, letting him know that I was aware English wasn't his first language, and I indicated how he misused the word. He was most grateful, and very appreciative. Crazy, I hope you don't mind my mentioning this here, but I think its important that we all realize that there may be language barriers amongst forum member, and sometimes, private messages might be the best way to find out where the other member is coming from.

I hope that this wasn't seen as an attack on anybody, it was not meant as such.

December 8th, 2009, 06:18 PM	#241
Ginkgo Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 395 Likes (Received): 63	The sunken lights at this plaza are blue and give a very nice effect. BTW, artwork installed at the actual streetcar terminus at Olive (glass cover with some neon tubes below) has been covered up with a sewer-like manhole cover. Unless someone knows about this, I'll try to find out. __________________ Big Green Chauvanist

December 9th, 2009, 11:13 PM	#248
CityView Jim Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,963 Likes (Received): 64	It doesn't like they plan to do too much more with this little plaza. Looks like a large planter parallel to Westlake will be placed and that's about it. They've left the large trees and some planting strips. Look at the 2nd page of this: http://www.seattle.gov/transportatio...t_Westlake.pdf Last edited by CityView Jim; December 9th, 2009 at 11:24 PM.

December 11th, 2009, 08:37 PM	#255
BoulderGrad Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 3,361 Likes (Received): 41	__________________ My shrink once said to me: "Maybe life isn't for everyone..."

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December 8th, 2009, 07:07 PM	#242
sequoias Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Midwest US Posts: 1,601 Likes (Received): 0	I didn't notice that one before....paved over with just concentre instead of something else. Where's the love?

December 8th, 2009, 09:48 PM	#243
Ruffhauser Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: North Belltown Posts: 1,352 Likes (Received): 217	It needs some TLC, but at least it's not an open sewer like it was before. You would walk by that area in the summer and it would just reek of wino piss.

December 9th, 2009, 07:10 AM	#245
mhays Journeyman Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 8,382 Likes (Received): 119	What sort of insider information do you have? Or were you basing that on nothing?

December 9th, 2009, 10:35 PM	#246
CrazyAboutCities Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 8,332 Likes (Received): 17	I think it is waste of tax money to pave this plaza then demolish it to make way for landscaping. I think they should have wait until they're ready to start construction on planned plaza. I don't get it why anyone have to demolish something then put something on it then start over again in short time.

December 9th, 2009, 11:11 PM	#247
mhays Journeyman Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 8,382 Likes (Received): 119	You might be right. On the other hand, there are all sorts of reasons why it could be cheaper or better their way.... Maybe the demo exposed some conditions they needed to expose to complete design on the larger project. Or maybe that block isn't supposed to happen until 2011, since we really don't know the schedule aside from old projections. Maybe they plan to incorporate the current paving into to the final plaza. Maybe the safety issue was important enough to do now rather than wait. You seem to be attacking people without knowing the situation.

December 11th, 2009, 06:03 AM	#252
mhays Journeyman Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 8,382 Likes (Received): 119	It's concrete, not cement. Cement is a powder that is mixed with water and aggregate to form concrete. As for those politicians, it would be better if you criticize them with some basis in knowledge rather than wild guesses.

December 11th, 2009, 08:40 PM	#256
RMacherat Buy used books Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,733 Likes (Received): 84	Thanks BG, you almost knocked me off my chair

December 13th, 2009, 12:32 AM	#259
guinessbeer55 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 664 Likes (Received): 2	where are you from crazy?

December 13th, 2009, 03:26 AM	#260
Capitol Hill Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,404 Likes (Received): 162	In defesne of Crazy About Cities, he misused a word in some of his posts. I sent him a private message, letting him know that I was aware English wasn't his first language, and I indicated how he misused the word. He was most grateful, and very appreciative. Crazy, I hope you don't mind my mentioning this here, but I think its important that we all realize that there may be language barriers amongst forum member, and sometimes, private messages might be the best way to find out where the other member is coming from. I hope that this wasn't seen as an attack on anybody, it was not meant as such.