Instead of short-lived exhibit, build something useful for residents
I oppose giving rare, public land over to a private use, even if it would help Seattle Center financially. [“Open bidding endorsed for Center’s Fun Forest,” Opinion, March 30.]
I was a charter Experience Music Project member, but the novelty wore off. They had to convert it to additional use; that supports my contention that things like this aren’t sustainable. I like Chihuly’s early work, but it’s now a cliché. As with the EMP, I might go to his “museum” once or twice, but no more than that. This would be true for most residents.
These “commercial” uses seem aimed at creating tourist attractions, whereas the Fun Forest was primarily used by residents. Future use of the site should be aimed at residents —not tourists.
If Seattle Center persists in creating a private building, it’ll eventually become a white elephant. But if it’s to be private, I propose the contract include a demo clause: If the building remains empty for two years, it has to be demolished at the owner’s expense.
I would support an outdoor use aimed at residents with a nominal fee. Coming to mind are putting green, wading or swimming pool, ice rink; basketball, tennis, bocce ball or pickle ball court; carousel, climbing wall and outdoor fitness stations.
— Robert Koch, Seattle
What about local artists?
Do we really need another shrine to glass artist Dale Chihuly?
His work is already on display at his native Tacoma’s Glass Museum and seems to be nearly everywhere else. If we are going to showcase art at Seattle Center —an idea I support — let’s look for something that reveals new exciting work by other Northwest artists. There are so many of them. Let’s not create yet another venue for Chihuly simply because he is already famous.
— Kevin Schafer, Seattle
Turn fee into free
The proposal to place another commercial development in the space vacated by the Fun Forest at the Seattle Center is moving too quickly. The proposal for a glass museum was sprung on the public just weeks ago, ignoring the open-space recommended for that area by the Center’s master plan.
Nearly everything at the Center — except the fountain — costs money. There should be more open space for visitors to enjoy as a public park.
Tacoma already has a fine glass exhibit and glassmaking shop. Many buildings downtown have Chihuly glass on permanent display.
Let’s move slowly with replacing the Fun Forest and have more public involvement with deciding how that space will be used.
— Ned Gulbran