Three ideas for the Sunset Substation Park

Before I contribute my two-cents worth to the design work, I want to convey our thanks to:

Elysian Brewery for donating the beer, perfect for the nearly-summer evening

The Ballard Market for their donation of breads, spreads & cheeses to fuel the conversations (and also for lending us their reader-board sign!)

Our volunteers, who continue to help us with all of the tasks, big & small, that make a meeting so much fun. Thank you all!

right off I regret not having been able to attend the last 2 planning meetings – so I apologize for trying to reopen discussion of what appears to be programing decisions already made….

Although all of 3 schemes are well thought out and beautifully conceived – I do have serious concerns with the apparent desicion to include such a large scale PV array in each of these 3 individual designs.

From what I gather the primary justification for the size of the PV component is to support the “emergency relief center function” described as being an intregal part of the project’s program.

Couple thoughts on this:
– why devote so much attention and money in anticipation of a once in a lifetime civic crisis (earthquake) – when there are so many other more immediate neighborhood needs – and sustainable practices that could otherwise be promoted and supported – with a portion of the estimated costs associated with the even the most modest of the 3 proposed PV arrays?

If this (emerg. preparedness) truly is a serious priority for the immediate neighborhood – shouldn’t the design be coordinated with city-wide response planning? Maybe the most important “emergency response” support function for the neighborhood is simply to provide enough asphalt to set multiple porta-potty’s on – and to allow for unencumbered access and parking for a water truck and a FEMA style (less the formaldehyde) dispensary trailer?

I love the idea of having a more limited “demonstration” PV array – that could still be used for site lighting, cell phone recharging and most beneficially to demonstrate the feasibility of household solar energy.

I would just as soon see $200-300K of the PV array budget devoted to other “active” and evolving renewable energy “exhibits” – to highlight for home owners advances in PV, solar hot water and even mini-wind turbines. This element could include a long-term partnership w/ the City to support their conservation and on-site renewable energy programs.

I also want to contuniue to advocate for an area of the property that would be preserved for currently unforseen community uses. Along the lines of preserving the narrow section off 65th as a simple yet attractive “swing” space – that could be used for neighbood BBQ’s, plant sales, community mulch piles, swap/exchange center, etc, etc.

I appreciate the tendency is to adopt a design that maximizes an attractive spacial or aesthetic strategy for all of the limited space available.

I do think though that by minimizing the focus on the PV array, keeping the enclosed space to a minimum (tool shed and visitor’s info booth) and building in one super-sweet multi-purpose gathering space – there would still be adequate room leftover to be reserved for a rotating and evolving variety of other wonderful uses. – thanks for listening

Matthew Horwitz
7527 28th Ave NW
(parent of child lucky enough to have experienced Lily and the Peoples ceramic studio before it was tragically evicted by market forces)

First, let me say that the “Wedge” design is by *far* my favorite, because of the stepped roof/public viewing platform and because of the flexibility and potential of the theater-shaped region below the panels and extending into the community room.

However, like Mr. Horwitz above, I am concerned about the large-surface-area solar-panel-driven nature of this project. All the panels I’ve seen block most to all light from coming through — I’m very concerned that the shaded area below would be dark, uninviting, and perhaps attractive only to those who would wish to hide their activities from public view.

Open space and light are both scarce in Seattle — why intentionally reduce both on this small public parcel?

Perhaps I’ve missed an important consideration here. I thank Mr. Boyd for trying to clarify a bit, but remain puzzled. What are the incentives he mentions? What would be the source of possible revenues — selling electricity to City Light? Surely a possible lease of space would be applicable either with or without a panel-based roof, and I’m not sure how “dividends for investors” is applicable here.

I’d welcome a more extensive rationale for the large panel area, and a link to photos or locations of actual panels so that we could see how much light does pass through them.

Thanks very much for establishing this public comment forum!

I agree with Melissa completely. I’d use the space to attend small community gatherings, to see art exhibits, to meet with friends and to make new ones. I favor design simplicity, big trees, some permanent seating. A chess table? My favorite is the PAIR.

thinking about this a bit more and taking into account some of the other blog postings I’ve read – here’s some additional thoughts:

– it’s a very small site – I’m afraid the architect’s conceptual drawings don’t properly reflect this.
– the primary access and dominant view from the street will be from the drive off 65th. Although an entrance from the alley would be nice (if not required) I don’t believe the immediate neighbors would like to see a significant amount of park pedestrian traffic coming and going via the alley.
– there’s a clear desire for openness (direct sunlight) on larger portions of the site
– traditional park functions are seen as highly desirable.
– immediate neighbors should be buffered from potential park noise
– given lack of visibility from the street – it would seem prudent to anticipate the need to close the park after dusk.
– there is support and excitement about including a solar photo-voltaic system somewhere in the park’s program.
– keep in mind that future development may include replacement of restaurant w/ multi-story building – open yard on north side of Green Grocer is also site of potential future development.

In response to this – I’m thinking the following design program might better balance neighborhood priorities:
– install PV canopy over a large part of the narrow entry drive off 65th. This would best showcase the solar power display from the street. Solar panels would also serve as canopy for a range of activities at the park’s main entry (plant sales, staging for work parties, solar power lectures/demonstrations, community mulch pile, etc. etc.)
– install small demonstration solar hot water system over secondary entrance from alley. This could serve a “community kitchen” feature along property line facing east (towards restaurant) – which might simply be a long concrete, counter height surface with a wash basin for preparing potlucks, picnics, etc.
– place smaller size buildings in SW corner (where there’s the least sunlight) – tool storage, small office, display composting toilet, etc.
– leave majority of larger rectangle (including the sunniest area) open for gathering, picnics, play, bocce ball – whatever. Include benches, seat-walls, raised planters, small water features, chess tables, etc.
– plant smaller height deciduous trees to provide some shade for open space in summer – with full sunlight in winter
– build high walls at north and east sides of larger rectangle to screen off the restaurant’s outside seating area – add structure for covering walls with plants (living green walls) to keep area cool in the summer, provide sound buffer and avoid problems w/ graffiti (they also look great).
– I’ll try to follow-up w/ a sketch – can anybody help w/ this?

basically – suggesting that the solar power element be scaled back considerably to where it serves mostly a demonstration function while also providing a canopy for limited wet weather activities. Change is happening fast in the renewable energy world. Rather than installing a $400,000 dollar system with today’s technology – better to have smaller demonstration systems that could be adopted by individual home owners – and that could be swapped out for newer technologies as they emerge.

Its a sweet little space – but it is a little space. Keep it simple – and build in flexibility. Keep it green – use it demonstrate a range of readily available strategies we can adopt to reduce our own family’s contributions to climate change and resource depletion – most importantly, make it inviting and use it to build and strengthen community – cause that’s where real change happens…