When the Space Needle talks, Seattle listens

The Space Needle went on the offensive this week with radio ads, urging Seattle to protect views of the iconic landmark when it considers new height rules for buildings in South Lake Union, and it looks like those ads worked.

The city is expected to vote in early April on whether to allow buildings as tall as 24 stories in the ever-expanding South Lake Union neighborhood. High-rises that tall would certainly cut the views of the Space Needle for many people living near that part of the city.

Councilmember Richard Conlin heads the South Lake Union development committee. He said the city will likely allow the taller buildings.

“The bottom line is the eight year process that has led to this re-zone proposal, dominated by the community and put together by the community interests, has generated a very good proposal in general, and we are likely to go ahead with most of it,” he said.

But concerned over lost views, the owners of the Space Needle went public with their plea with radio ads this week.

“Our city council will vote on an ordinance that either allows a development free-for-all in South Lake Union or one that protects our public views,” the ad said. “We only have one chance to get this right. Once our views are gone, we’ll never get them back.”

Public views of the Space Needle are already protected in 10 city parks but not in the new South Lake Union park where MOHAI has relocated. People are worried they could someday be strolling in the shadow of the Space Needle, only to have buildings obscuring their view.

Councilmember Conlin confirmed that several amendments to the plan will be considered in two weeks that will likely prevent that from ever happening.

“We’re looking at South Lake Union Park and trying to see what kind of protection South Lake Union Park should have in order to ensure that views are available from that,” Conlin said. It could be added to the list of city parks where Space Needle views are protected.

Conlin said other protections are also being considered to keep other views of the Needle from South Lake Union intact. They will make sure that buildings are set back far enough from the streets so the landmark will still be visible for drivers and pedestrians.

Private views? Well, the city said that’s not something it can be concerned about. If you lose your view of the Space Needle from your home or condo on Queen Anne or Capitol Hill, that’s just progress.