A lot of those big holes and vacant project sites around Seattle are about to get a facelift. The Seattle Design Commission has just announced the finalists for Holding Patterns, an initiative to temporarily improve the look of stalled construction projects until work is ready to start again. Two proposals for Ballard made the final cut.
“Rising-Shining” (above) is one of the most visual projects of all the finalists. Helium balloons would be put into nets to create floating cubes. The cubes would be anchored to the ground and contain battery powered LED light.
The proposal suggests using it at the site east of the Ballard Bridge between NW 45th and NW 46th Streets, but also urges the City to move it around to other stalled sites across town. “It floats. It wiggles. It bops in the wind. By day it’s perceived as a playful yet mysterious intervention, and by night glows with a suggestive presence.” You can read the full proposal here.
Adam Holt wants to transform the old Sunset Bowl site (above) into a community street hockey rink for both kids and adults. According to the proposal, the rink would be simple, low-cost, and green surrounded by a chain link fence. Holt is a member of the group Seattle Street Hockey, which currently uses the playground at Adams Elementary here in Ballard. You can read the full proposal here.
There’s even one proposal that suggests turning graffiti into art with large metal panels as canvases. The next step is to bring the finalists together with vacant property owners, developers, and City officials.
I’d rather be bowling
Is it just me or does the balloon thing seem like a one day thing? Wouldn’t the balloons need to be filled up/replaced everyday? Seems a little inefficient to me.
LOVE the hockey idea !!! We really need more areas to play street hockey in Seattle for the transplants from the East !!
I also think the hockey idea is great! That empty lot is such an eye sore, and the new art work on the fence doesn’t help at all.
I agree with Kat, I really don’t see how the balloon this would work.
Bring the hockey rink to Ballard!
How about we form a Hobo Hockey league? What a wonderful way to reach out to our differently-housed neighbors!
I’m not sure if I see the point of the balloon thing. Don’t we already have a sculpture park in Seattle I don’t go to?
The street hockey things sounds promising. I’m not sure how many people play in the area, but it would probably grow in popularity if there was a great place to play.
Great job Mr. Holt.
I’m with Hippie, they need an All Stars Ballard Hobo team: let the bums slap shot each other, case of beer to the winning team.
When there are people living in campers and cars all around that big empty space, isn’t the answer obvious? The City should bring in a couple of porta potties, take down the fencing and let the homeless camp there. Maybe even tear up some of the cement and bring in grass and trees to keep it cool. Of course, there are legalities to block this, and nobody represents the homeless, of course, so we stick balloons and cardboard cutouts in there and call it art…..Shame on those developers for taking away beloved neighborhood centers like Denny’s and the Bowling Alley and then leaving an ugly useless eyesore!
Wait – the city pays to install art on private property? I read the city website and I’m not clear on the funding source.
I like the idea of doing something with these stalled development eyesores, but how about requiring the developers to foot the bill?
Street hockey is a perfect use for paved, flat lots. Use the rinks for box lacrosse as well, like they do in Canada.
What about a new bowling alley? With karaoke nights?