Volunteer Park Trust
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VOLUNTEER PARK TRUST The mission of Volunteer Park Trust is to restore, protect and preserve this city and national landmark for today and for generations to come. Amphitheater Project Public Meeting October 15, 2015 Seattle Asian Art Museum Auditorium in Volunteer Park, Seattle 6:00 PM — 8:00 PM TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Document 1 .......................Table of Contents 2 .......................Meeting Agenda (2 pages) 4 .......................Presentation Slide Show in PDF Format (30 pages) 34 .....................Notes from the Meeting (3 pages) 37 .....................Transcription of Written Public Comments (7 pages) 44 .....................Scan of Drawing on Written Public Comment (1 page) 45 .....................Scan of Handwritten Public Comment Presented at the Meeting (8 pages) AGENDA Volunteer Park Trust Amphitheater Project Public Meeting #1 October 15, 2015, 6:00 PM Seattle Asian Art Museum Auditorium 1100 E. Prospect St. , Seattle WA 98112 Thank you for joining Volunteer Park Trust and Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation for this first public meeting to discuss the opportunities and goals for the Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project. Volunteer Park Trust has engaged ORA Architects and Walker Macy Landscape Architects to develop a design program and analysis of potential enhancements to the existing Amphitheater space. This study is funded by a City of Seattle Neighborhood Matching Fund, and is being managed by the Volunteer Park Trust Amphitheater Project Task Force, a group of neighbors and community volunteers committed to improving the park. We are excited to share our initial research and analysis with you, and we look forward to hearing your concerns and interests on this very exciting opportunity to enhance our beloved Volunteer Park. MEETING AGENDA 5:30-6:10 PM Public Arrival and Orientation 6:10-6:15 PM Welcome and Overview by Volunteer Park Trust 6:15-7:00 PM Presentation of Preliminary Research and Site Analysis 7:00-7:45 PM Public Comments / Dialogue QUESTIONS: WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT CURRENT AMPHITHEATER? WHAT NEEDS IMPROVEMENT? WHAT IDEAS OR DREAMS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE AMPHITHEATER PROJECT? OTHER COMMENTS If you wish to join our mailing list for updates please fill out the following (PRINT CLEARLY ): NAME: EMAIL: Photo 54 – Volunteer Park looking north showing conservatory in the distance, undated Courtesy University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, SEA2095 Photo 55 – Volunteer Park from the observation tower looking north, undated OLMSTED VISION Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project ORA + Walker Macy 1913 VIEW WITH OLMSTED BAND PAVILION Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project ORA + Walker Macy 1915 BAND SHELL (demolished 1947) Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project ORA + Walker Macy EXISTING AMPHITHEATER STAGE (built 1971) Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project ORA + Walker Macy ProcessOutline 2015 2016 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Preliminary Research, Interviews & Outreach 3months PUBLIC MEETING #1: OCTOBER 15, 2015 Detailed Research & Develop Report 3 months PUBLIC MEETING #2: FEBRUARY 11, 2016 Incorporate Comments & Publish Final Report 1 month PROCESS OUTLINE Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project ORA + Walker Macy DESIGN TEAM INTRODUCTION Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project ORA + Walker Macy COLLABORATIVE DISCOVERY • open-minded exploration • shared vision VISIONARY / PRACTICAL • inspiring & responsive to program / site • careful attention to budget & technical needs ADAPTIVE / SUSTAINABLE • anticipate & celebrate future evolution • economic / social / environmental sustainability INNOVATIVE / TIMELESS • contemporary + time-tested principles • thoughtful integration with historic landscapes PROJECT APPROACH Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project ORA + Walker Macy KEY ISSUES & POTENTIAL ENHANCEMENTS • Accessibility / ADA compliance • Landmark Review - respect & enhance Olmsted Landscape • Enhance Acoustic Quality & Noise Control • Improve Performance Quality (Not Size) • Add Community Meeting / Flex Space? • Iconic Character • Enhance Access & Parking • Improve Lighting & Wayfi nding • Improve Public Restrooms KEY ISSUES Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project ORA + Walker Macy SUMMER SOLSTICE MAINTENANCE BUILDING VOLUNTEER PARK CONSERVATORY TENNIS COURT ACCESSIBLE STALLS PEDESTRIAN PATH VEHICULAR ACCESS TO TENNIS COURT PARK BOLLARD ONE-WAY DRIVE ENTRANCE ROADWAY CLOSED SELECT VIEWS ONLY TO VEHICULAR THROUGH TRAFFIC TREES TO STAGE W E FIR SP. WITH LOW AESTHETIC VALUE ~12.5% ELEV ~448 ARAUCARIA WITH STRUCTURAL VIEW OF CITY SKYLINE BEYOND ~ELEV DAMAGE TREES 407 GRADE BREAK ~12.0% GRADE BREAK ~5.7% ASPHALT IN POOR SEATTLE EXISTING CONDITION PERFORMANCE ASIAN ART WINTER SOLSTICE PAVILION WITH MUSEUM BATHROOMS ELEV ~6.7% ~423 ~5.0% FLAT ELEV ~451 LEGEND AGGREGATE PATH ASPHALT PATH ACCESSIBLE ASPHALT STALLS CONCRETE SIDEWALK ROADWAY CLOSED TO ~ELEV VEHICULAR TRAFFIC 451 SITE INVENTORY & ANALYSIS Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project ORA + Walker Macy FIR SP. WITH LOW AESTHETIC VALUE ~12.5% ELEV ~448 ARAUCARIA WITH STRUCTURAL VIEW OF CITY SKYLINE BEYOND ~ELEV DAMAGE TREES 407 GRADE BREAK ~12.0% GRADE BREAK ~5.7% ASPHALT IN POOR SE EXISTING CONDITION PERFORMANCE ASI E PAVILION WITH MU BATHROOMS ELEV ~6.7% ~423 ~5.0% FLAT ELEV ~451 ACCESSIBLE ASPHALT STALLS ~EL 451 SITE INVENTORY & ANALYSIS Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project ORA + Walker Macy OPEN EXPLORATION • What do you like about current Amphitheater? • What needs improvement? • What dreams do you have for the project? RESEARCH • Site Analysis • Focus Group Interviews • Community Outreach • Landmarks Review • Access & Parking KEY QUESTIONS & RESEARCH Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project ORA + Walker Macy FOCUS GROUPS / INTERVIEWS / OUTREACH • Neighbors & Community • Theater Groups - Shakespeare in Park, Outdoor Theatre Festival • Dance Groups - Spectrum, Whim Wh’im, PNB • Music Performer/Presenters • Seattle Chamber Music Society • Seattle Opera / Seattle Symphony • Spoken Word - Hugo House • Media Arts - Jack Straw • Seattle Asian Art Museum • Volunteer Park Conservatory • Eritrean Cultural Festival • PRIDE FOCUS GROUPS & OUTREACH Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project ORA + Walker Macy KEY FEEDBACK • Eyesore / Unattractive • Looks Abandoned • Blocks View to Forest • ‘Graffiti Magnet’ • No Wheelchair or Mobility Access EXISTING STAGE - NON-EVENT Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project ORA + Walker Macy VIEW FROM UPPER PARK SUN ANGLE - GLARE COSTUME STAGING BACK OF HOUSE GREENSTAGE PERFORMANCE - MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING PERFORMANCE - SHAKESPEARE IN PARK Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project ORA + Walker Macy MUSICIANS ON STAGE YOUTH PERFORMERS VIEW FROM STAGE VIEW TO STAGE - GLARE / TENTS AUDIENCE SEATING PERFORMANCE - SEATTLE CHAMBER MUSIC Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project ORA + Walker Macy VIBRATIONS FESTIVAL GLARE ISSUES PERFORMANCE - MUSIC FESTIVALS Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project ORA + Walker Macy SEATTLE ASIAN ART MUSEUM - FILMS (SAAM GOAL: EXPANDED PROGRAMS - DANCE & MUSIC) PERFORMANCE - FILM Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project ORA + Walker Macy ERITREAN INDEPENDANCE DAY CELEBRATION OTHER POTENTIAL PROGRAMS/USERS: • SPOKEN WORD PERFORMANCES • AUDIO ARTS / ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION • EXERCISE / YOGA / TAI CHI FESTIVALS / CELEBRATIONS / EDUCATION Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project ORA + Walker Macy DANCE / MOVEMENT - (NEED RESILIENT FLOOR & WARM-UP SPACE) OTHER POTENTIAL PROGRAMS Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project ORA + Walker Macy GREENSTAGE - YOUTH THEATER CLASSES PROPOSED NEW BACKSTAGE SPACE: 15’ X 20’ DRESSING ROOM / FLEX SPACE 2 SMALL RESTROOMS W/ SHOWERS FLEX SPACE = YOUTH EDUCATION / COMMUNITY MEETING SPACE WHEN NOT USED FOR PERFORMANCES / EVENTS YOUTH ARTS & ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION OTHER POTENTIAL PROGRAMS Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project ORA + Walker Macy FIR SP. WITH LOW AESTHETIC VALUE ~12.5% ELEV ~448 ARAUCARIA WITH STRUCTURAL VIEW OF CITY SKYLINE BEYOND ~ELEV DAMAGE TREES 407 GRADE BREAK ~12.0% GRADE BREAK ~5.7% ASPHALT IN POOR SE EXISTING CONDITION PERFORMANCE ASI E PAVILION WITH MU BATHROOMS ELEV ~6.7% ~423 ~5.0% FLAT ELEV ~451 ACCESSIBLE ASPHALT STALLS ~EL 451 SITE ANALYSIS Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project ORA + Walker Macy Expanded Backstage tŝĚĞŶdžŝƐƟŶŐ New Stage Path to 8’ to Accomodate Vehicular Access 'ƌĂĚĞƌĞĂŬͲWŽƐƐŝďůĞ^ĞĂƟŶŐ Re-grade ADA Accessible ^ĞĂƟŶŐ Raise Grade 3’ Improved ADA +/- to Match Accessible Pathway Current Stage Height SITE STUDY A - ENHANCE EXISTING STAGE Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project ORA + Walker Macy Expanded Backstage New Stage ADA Accessible ^ĞĂƟŶŐ Re-grade Olmsted Path Alignment 'ƌĂĚĞƌĞĂŬͲWŽƐƐŝďůĞ^ĞĂƟŶŐ džŝƐƟŶŐ^ƚĂŐĞ >ŽĐĂƟŽŶ Improved ADA Accessible Pathway SITE STUDY B - ALTERNATIVE LOCATION Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project ORA + Walker Macy Expanded Backstage New Stage ADA Accessible ^ĞĂƟŶŐ Re-grade Olmsted Path Alignment 'ƌĂĚĞƌĞĂŬͲWŽƐƐŝďůĞ^ĞĂƟŶŐ džŝƐƟŶŐ^ƚĂŐĞ >ŽĐĂƟŽŶ Improved ADA Accessible Pathway SITE STUDY B - ALTERNATIVE STAGE LOCATION OLMSTED PLAN WITH ORIGINAL PATHWAY SITE STUDY B - ALTERNATE LOCATION Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project ORA + Walker Macy VOLUNTEER PARK ROAD E HIGHLAND DRIVE FEDERAL AVENUE E LIMITED BICYCLE PARKING EXISTING TRAILS ACCESS & NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT Volunteer Park Amphitheater Project ORA + Walker Macy ACCESS & PARKING - NEIGHBOR FOCUS GROUP Transportation Consultant Kendra Breiland of Feer & Peers met with a neighborhood focus group and developed preliminary recommendations for further exploration to improve access & reduce congestion: • Review ELIMINATING STRIPING on E Highland to increase capacity • Evaluate re-opening LOOP ROAD permanently or during events • IMPROVE SIGNAGE