The City, The State and Grand Designs

An 8-Year-Long Emergency

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:

• Christine Gregoire wins nation's closest-ever governor's race after recounts and a court battle
• Committee to Save Big Ugly Things commercial
• Washington 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, 2007
• Seattle Waterfront History Interviews: Paula Hammond, Washington State Secretary of Transportation
• Seattle Waterfront History Interviews: Christine Gregoire, Governor of Washington