BEFORE: These images lead to the next two sets, which show the monorail diminishing one of the best open spaces in the Seattle Center, before intruding on Memorial Stadium (site of concerts and sporting events) and the Fun Forest. Notice how few, if any, people are included in the SMP's images. Where are the people? The lane shown in this image is usually jammed with people during festivals. Please see the SSC "Here?" page for normal, populated Center usage (and below).
AFTER: The “Preferred Alignment," called the “NW Route”, entering from the Center’s “QFC” side, note the trees on the right are gone and that, in spite of this image, the trees on the left will likely die due to root destruction caused by sinking the columns 100 feet or more into the ground. They could also be removed due to guideway interference.
BEFORE: Here are the people, (SSC photo) Dancing, mingling and having fun with the Bumbershoot Samba Parade on the same lane as the proposed monorail route. This view, a reverse of the accompanying east looking DEIS image, looks west up the same shaded, tree lined lane. Will it be as friendly and inviting with a monorail frequently running overhead, columns every 100' and nearly all of the trees gone? Will people want to be there?
AFTER: Again, the same route looking east. Monorail and guideway depicted are strictly SMP speculation - they have no design or engineering as yet. This SMP image is likely not accurate to scale. The system could actually be larger and more intrusive than it appears here. We believe the monorail makes for a far less inviting environment for festival goers and everyday park users, perhaps even unsafe. How many parks are there under the 5th Avenue monorail? How many festivals? How many people hang out underneath it? How many outdoor cafes are there on 5th Avenue?
BEFORE
AFTER: The monorail moving through and over one of the most populated entertainment and pedestrian areas of the Center. Note that this is one of the few images on this page that has a close up view of a train in it. And where are all the people? Is the Center going to be deserted when the trains run through?
BEFORE
AFTER: Now through the heart of the center, over one of the best open spaces for park users and festivals. Trains will intrude overhead every 2 minutes, 30 times an hour, in both directions, diminishing events, music and activities throughout the year, and doing the same to Memorial Stadium as it continues on to Paul Allen’s EMP. And still no people portrayed using one of the most popular festival and passage areas of the Center.
BEFORE
AFTER: One of the alternative routes outside the center, where a transit system belongs: On arterials where the riders are, not parks, in this case, Mercer.
BEFORE
AFTER: Same alternative route outside the Center along Mercer, continued.
BEFORE
AFTER: The same alternative route, outside the Center, along 5th Ave and Harrison, where it doesn’t ruin the Center’s popular open space.