<![CDATA[An 8-Year-Long Emergency]]>3f918988-bd11-56a4-b5b1-3fb859442515Fri, 28 Mar 2025 16:00:14 +0000Captivate.fmHistoryLinkhttps://artwork.captivate.fm/30d993b3-35cf-4ced-b77f-cc53fdc4f660/750l3Zj7EefRZXvkOBlPzMlT.jpgAn 8-Year-Long EmergencyHistoryLinkHistoryLinkWhy was the replacement of the Alaskan Way viaduct an eight-year-long emergency? Because everyone - from governors to stakeholders to community groups - cares deeply about the Seattle central waterfront. An 8-Year-Long Emergency: Seattle, an Earthquake, and a Doomed Waterfront Highway is an exploration of the complicated story behind the replacement of the viaduct following the 2001 Nisqually earthquake. Featuring interviews and engaging discussions with historians, politicians, transportation planners, and community organizers, each episode is set against the backdrop of the waterfront's history. As the podcast 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. https://an-8-year-long-emergency.captivate.fmfalseepisodicnopodcastThe Long ViewThe Long ViewNew 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 Gregoire

This episode is hosted by Dominic Black, Kiku Hughes, and Jennifer Ott and features guests Greg Nickels, Mike McGinn, Nick Licata, Christine Gregoire, and Cary Moon

Additional Resources: 


]]>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 Gregoire

This episode is hosted by Dominic Black, Kiku Hughes, and Jennifer Ott and features guests Greg Nickels, Mike McGinn, Nick Licata, Christine Gregoire, and Cary Moon

Additional Resources: 


]]>cc6f4b7f-01f6-48d8-a5ba-e428037afd41Fri, 28 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -070050:06falsefull16161HistoryLinkConsensus Through ExhaustionConsensus Through ExhaustionA 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 Ott

This 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:


]]>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 Ott

This 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:


]]>c137dd9a-7e01-4769-a57c-1b86a585e142Fri, 21 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -070046:08falsefull15151HistoryLinkThe City, The State and Grand DesignsThe City, The State and Grand DesignsHow 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 Transportation

This episode is hosted by Dominic Black, Kiku Hughes, and Jennifer Ott and features guests Christine Gregoire, Doug McDonald, Knute Berger, and Paula Hammond

Additional resources: 


]]>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 Transportation

This episode is hosted by Dominic Black, Kiku Hughes, and Jennifer Ott and features guests Christine Gregoire, Doug McDonald, Knute Berger, and Paula Hammond

Additional resources: 


]]>f2bd7299-99b7-4eac-94eb-c8f6b800334cFri, 14 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -070055:53falsefull14141HistoryLinkThe ProcessThe ProcessThe 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 Donegan

Additional resources: 


]]>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 Donegan

Additional resources: 


]]>f912b64f-2139-453a-8a85-98b75b1791b2Fri, 07 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -070054:16falsefull13131HistoryLinkEarth Versus ViaductEarth Versus ViaductBe it rickety pilings or concrete behemoth, Seattle's industrial transportation along the waterfront has only been as strong as the seawall beneath it. In this episode, we remember fondly the "gritty, grungy" viaduct and the not-so-hallowed ground upon which it stood. 

With both the viaduct and seawall breathing their last breathes, Seattle faces a full shoreline reorganization and as Knute Berger notes, "Every decision Seattle makes is often infused with a moral righteousness. We don't just look at a highway project as a highway project, we view it as a statement about our values and that's where this public debate and consensus gets snagged."

This series is hosted by Dominic Black and Kiku Hughes and features guests Jared Smith, Bob Donegan, Knute Berger, Jennifer Ott, and Coll Thrush

 Additional resources: 


]]>Be it rickety pilings or concrete behemoth, Seattle's industrial transportation along the waterfront has only been as strong as the seawall beneath it. In this episode, we remember fondly the "gritty, grungy" viaduct and the not-so-hallowed ground upon which it stood. 

With both the viaduct and seawall breathing their last breathes, Seattle faces a full shoreline reorganization and as Knute Berger notes, "Every decision Seattle makes is often infused with a moral righteousness. We don't just look at a highway project as a highway project, we view it as a statement about our values and that's where this public debate and consensus gets snagged."

This series is hosted by Dominic Black and Kiku Hughes and features guests Jared Smith, Bob Donegan, Knute Berger, Jennifer Ott, and Coll Thrush

 Additional resources: 


]]>ab0e3f02-c496-40e1-89f9-1cf9f64c6b17Fri, 28 Feb 2025 09:00:00 -070037:18falsefull12121HistoryLinkA Contested WaterfrontA Contested WaterfrontDive 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 Hughes

This episode features guests Coll Thrush, Valerie Segrest, and Jennifer Ott

Additional Resources: 


 

]]>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 Hughes

This episode features guests Coll Thrush, Valerie Segrest, and Jennifer Ott

Additional Resources: 


 

]]>f54d093b-7937-4c91-960e-6dd0a974e6f5Fri, 28 Feb 2025 09:00:00 -070047:25falsefull11111HistoryLink