Two new articles on Seattle Center proposal

"Glass vs. Grass" was the Seattle Times headline this Wednesday, as the city began public debate over what to do with the Seattle Center. Chihuly and the Wright's have proposed a privately funded permanent Chihuly exhibit, cafe, and shop. It was approved by the Seattle Design Commission and awaits the decision of the City Council and the Mayor. However, there is opposition to the idea. The expected entrance fee of $12-$14 goes against the popular desire for public space on city-owned property.

Thursday, The Stranger reported on the "60 public meetings" about the Center that occurred between 2006 and 2008 in which "the response was overwhelming: more open, green space" was wanted. The article, titled "Another Backward, Half-Baked Idea for Seattle Center: Owners of Space Needle want a Massive Chihuly Museum Next Door," gives evidence that not everyone is on board with the Chihuly plan and calls for public debate to ensure that public space is used for public good.

Artist Nori Sato is quoted in the article: "I just didn't know, if you were you going to set up a center like this, whether devoting it to a single artist was adequate--civic enough as an opportunity. My other concern was the way Chihuly was thinking about it; it just wasn't a big enough idea..."

Heffter, E., Gilmore, S., and Kelleher, S. "Glass vs. Grass." The Seattle Times. A1. March 10, 2010.

Graves, J. "Another Backward, Half-baked Idea." The Stranger. March 11, 2010. p 15.