Please join us in the FHIA Urban Design and Public Space monthly meeting this Wednesday, March 2nd at 1 pm in Horizon House. We are discussing multiple approaches for funding the development of Terry Avenue Street Concepts described in PRAP. We have invited representatives of St. James Cathedral, O’Dea High School, The Frye Museum and Westbank the developer of Project #3021510 on the Frye parking lots, to all attend this meeting.

We plan to discuss the recent environmental impact statement describing the public’s loss of rights-of-way required for the addition to the WSCC. In response to (SDOT) Moira Gray’s request asking us to comment on the proposed vacation petition before March 9, 2016 we will finalize the attached DRAFT letter. It is our request that Terry Avenue, between Marion and Cherry Streets, should be an off-site benefit as an improvement to a designated green street and that this will be funding an element of an adapted neighborhood plan (PRAP).

A second topic will be consideration of applying for Terry Avenue to be funded as a Festival Street under the 2016 Neighborhood Street Fund prior to April 17th.

As you know, on February 23rd the East Design Review Board’s written directions to Westbank suggest that they return with a 707 Terry Avenue (# 3021510) design that reflects the Terry Street Concept Design in PRAP.

Under Context and Site: “The Board supports the right of way planning elements of the Public Realm Action Plan (PRAP) and expects to see the PRAP direction for Terry Avenue at this site fully realized. The right of way design should integrate the neighboring urban pattern and accentuate the form-giving architectural elements of the new building. The street realm, the Frye Museum, and museum streetscape should exhibit a cohesive concept and unified design. The Board directed the applicant to examine the Frye Museum, O’Dea High School, and St. James Cathedral for design and urban planning cues.”

Under Public Life: “At the Early Design Guidance Meeting, the Board directed the applicant to use the PRAP to design the Terry Avenue green street and to create a network of open spaces which link the Frye, the street, and this project for programmable outdoor activities. The Board emphasized that it is important to create a right of way that suppresses the vehicle and makes the pedestrian the priority user. Outdoor art, uses, activities, seating, and landscaping are a high priority to be located in the right of way and at the ground plane of this project. The Board directed the design team to design a strong building entrance to create an entry that better serves residents and the public in wayfinding: street to lobby.”

Under Design Concept: “…The Board directed the applicant to build the “Pedestrian and Parking Pocket” as shown in the PRAP and pointed out the imagery shown on page 52 as a desirable “woonerf” design. The Board described the pedestrian pocket as curbless and that the location is a unique opportunity with the Frye Art Museum. The street design should bridge the right of way with unique paving and landscaping to create a plaza here. The Board would like to see the planting strip give way, in part, to public seating and have design elements bleed into the Terry Streetscape. The Board thought the opportunity was also unique in that there are aligned clients on both sides of the right of way and the designer should capitalize on the opportunity. The Board affirms their 100% support for the PRAP concepts.”