An 8-Year-Long Emergency

New Seattle mayor McGinn enters the scene with hopes of dismantling the tunnel project while progressive Seattle grapples with its desire for a 'Waterfront For All', what the deep bore tunnel promises, and the reality of investing long term in a car-centric future. For others, the end result feels certain:“When we’re done down there [on the waterfront] everybody will win. Without one iota bit of doubt in my mind...Our icon today is the Space Needle, it may very well become the waterfront” - Governor Christine GregoireThis episode is hosted by Dominic Black, Kiku Hughes, and Jennifer Ott and features guests Greg Nickels, Mike McGinn, Nick Licata, Christine Gregoire, and Cary MoonAdditional Resources: Seattle Waterfront History Interviews: Complete Collection

A state-mandated public vote shoots down both tunnel and elevated viaduct and its back to the drawing board. Three new coalitions form to come up with alternatives and while chewing on various options, new deep bore tunnel technology arrives on the scene. But who will foot the bill? “Interestingly, it is the fact that it took so long to get to this point in the process that actually made the single bore tunnel feasible...” - Jennifer OttThis episode is hosted by Dominic Black, Kiku Hughes, and Jennifer Ott and features guests Greg Nickels, Christine Gregoire, Bob Donegan, Cary Moon, and Paula Hammond Additional Resources:2009 WSDOT Alaskan Way Viaduct Earthquake SimulationSeattle Waterfront History Interviews: Greg Nickels, Mayor of SeattleSeattle Waterfront History Interviews: Christiine Gregoire, Governor of WashingtonSeattle Waterfront History Interviews: Bob Donegan, Ivar'sSeattle Waterfront History Interviews: Cary Moon, People's Waterfront CoalitionSeattle Waterfront History Interviews: Paula Hammond, Washington State Secretary of Transportation

How far have we come? Did we learn from our past mistakes? In this episode, officials and archival voices remember the inequities of previous highway construction in the region and this time, a state-mandated public vote decides the fate of the viaduct, bringing us up to 2007. “I think the whole engagement process with people has evolved over the years...a lot of folks were negatively impacted by the decisions we’ve made…especially communities of color. How do we start the conversation with them again in a way that understands…what their needs are? It’s an exciting time, I think - this new awareness of making decisions for transportation around what people and communities need” - Paula Hammond, former Washington State Secretary of TransportationThis episode is hosted by Dominic Black, Kiku Hughes, and Jennifer Ott and features guests Christine Gregoire, Doug McDonald, Knute Berger, and Paula HammondAdditional resources: Christine Gregoire wins nation's closest-ever governor's race after recounts and a court battleCommittee to Save Big Ugly Things commercialWashington establishes an office for clearing the route of the Seattle Freeway (Interstate 5) on April 1, 1957.Seattle residents stage protest against Interstate 5 Freeway on June 1, 1961.First Hill neighborhood objects to the Seattle Freeway route at a public hearing on September 13, 1961.Seattle voters scrap proposed Bay Freeway and R. H. Thomson Expressway on February 8, 1972.Douglas MacDonald takes office as Washington Secretary of Transportation on April 23, 2001.Viaduct Tunnel Voters Say No and No, 2007Seattle Waterfront History Interviews: Paula Hammond, Washington State Secretary of TransportationSeattle Waterfront History Interviews: Christine Gregoire, Governor of Washington 

The game is afoot! The first several years following the Nisqually Earthquake witnessed "the winding and cranking of the system through the city, and the state and the federal government, [and] the stakeholders" to come up with a new vision for the Seattle waterfront. In this episode, we introduce some of the key players in the system and listen as 76 potential replacement options for the viaduct are ground down to a final five while the first Draft Environmental Impact Statement heats things up. This series is hosted by Dominic Black and Kiku Hughes and features guests Ron Paananen, Greg Nickels, Grace Crunican, Jennifer Ott, Cary Moon, and Bob DoneganAdditional resources: Monorail (Seattle) includes map of proposed monorail expansionLake Washington Ship Canal includes the South Canal proposalAlaskan Way Viaduct, Part 4: Replacing the ViaductFirst Draft Environmental Impact StatementSeattle Waterfront History Interviews: Greg Nickels, Mayor of SeattleSeattle Waterfront History Interviews: Grace Crunican, Seattle Department of TransportationSeattle Waterfront History Interviews: Bob Donegan, Ivar's

Jared Smith, a civil engineer specializing in transportation policy, and Jennifer Ott, an environmental historian and author, delve into Seattle's complex relationship with its waterfront. They explore the historical significance and emotional ties to the Alaskan Way Viaduct, reflecting on the moral dimensions of urban development. The discussion also touches on the challenges of replacing aging infrastructure post-earthquake, the integration of seawall improvements, and the often-overlooked impacts on indigenous populations. A thought-provoking dialogue on urban resilience and community values ensues.

Dive into the history of Seattle's Central Waterfront, uncovering layers of colonial empire building, settler place-making, and Indigenous displacement, and highlighting the significance of Native inclusion in the planning of the new Waterfront Park. As the episode reveals, "Even though it’s changed dramatically over time, repeatedly, you can still see traces and touch points of the past wherever you go on the Waterfront," reminding us that the past is always present in the landscape and that the Oculus is ever watchful.This series is hosted by Dominic Black and Kiku HughesThis episode features guests Coll Thrush, Valerie Segrest, and Jennifer OttAdditional Resources: Alaskan Way Viaduct, Parts 1-4Earthquake registering 6.8 on Richter Scale jolts Seattle and Puget Sound on February 28, 2001.Washington Street Boat LandingSkid Road1959 King 5 Lost Cargo Documentary