Pencils or Breadloaves in Seattle's South Lake Union?

Unlike Pioneer Square, who resists height increases due to the historic nature of the neighborhood, a recent Seattle Times article looks at South Lake Union and its potential for taller buildings with certain bulk controls and tower spacing. Current residents are concerned, however, that they'll be "walled in" and others worry that they'll lose views of the Space Needle, the lake, and even the sun.

As South Lake Union's biggest landowner, Vulcan is entrenched the process and has been working with residents and neighborhood activists to hear their concerns. Matt Roewe is VIA's Director of Mixed Use and Major Projects, and is also a member of the Planning Commission. As a resident of Queen Anne, he has been on many committees about South Lake Union's future, and even sits on the neighborhood's design-review board.

"Roewe agrees with Vulcan and the city that the current zoning in South Lake Union has led to 'breadboxes' — low-level buildings that fill entire blocks. Instead, they propose 'pencils' — tall skinny towers that leave room around the bottom for views and public spaces.

Part of the discussion, no doubt, will include exchanging the right to build taller for an agreement to add green space or other community amenities."

Among the committees that have been working on South Lake Union, Matt participates in the following: Two Way Mercer Stakeholder group, South Lake Union framework charette, South Lake Union height & density study committee, and the Uptown South Lake Union visioning charette stakeholder group.

Back in 2008/2009, Matt partnered with the Great City Initiative in their "Leadership for Great Neighborhoods" campaign that aims to guide growth in Seattle's emerging urban centers.

To see the combined Leadership for Great Neighborhoods presentation, which includes Matt's "pencil and breadloaves" presentation, click here.