Seattle Design Commission -- Staff

Who We Are: Staff

Role
Several staff from the City of Seattle's Department of Planning and Development work part-time to support the Design Commission. They:

facilitate the commission's strategic direction
schedule project reviews and record minutes of the commission's meetings
communicate the commission's recommendations to the Mayor, City Council and the City's departments
recruit and train new commisioners
provide administrative and planning support for the commission's special events

Guillermo Romano, Executive Director
guillermo.romano@seattle.gov
206 233-7808

Valerie Kinast, Coordinator
valerie.kinast@seattle.gov
206 233-7911

Joan James, Administrative Specialist
joan.james@seattle.gov
206 386-0098

Tom Iurino, Outreach
tom.iurino@seattle.gov
206 684-0435
hours: Tue 8-5; Thu 8-5; Fri 1-5

Ian Macek, Intern
ian.macek@seattle.gov
206 615-1107

Last Updated: March 31, 2008

Next Meeting
See the agenda.

Recommendations
SR 520 Bridge Replacement
The Seattle Design Commission believes it is premature to endorse the 6-lane option for the 520 bridge replacement and that the best mobility and urban design solution might rest in a yet-to-be-developed hybrid alternative. Read the letter (10/6/2006) to the Mayor and City Council.

The Commission is concerned about the impacts of the Pacific Interchange and recommends honing a 4-Lane hybrid option for SR 520. Read the letter (10/31/2006) to the Washington State Department of Transportation regarding their Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

Public Safety Building Site Redevelopment
The Seattle Design Commission recommends the Public Safety Building site be redeveloped to create a great public space to complete the City's civic campus. Read the report (9/2006).

Waterfront Plan
The Seattle Design Commission supports the City's Central Waterfront Plan and the Department of Planning and Development as the lead agency in its development. Read the letter (2/13/2006) to the Mayor and City Council, and an earlier letter (8/17/2005).

Visual Resume

The Grass Blades
See the AIA award-winning The Grass Blades at the Seattle Center and how the Design Commission's review made a difference in the development of this project. Open the Visual Resume.

photo by Benjamin Benschneider

Annual Report
2007 Design Commission Annual report - small
2007 Report
In 2007, the Design Commission reviewed $8.99 billion worth of public projects. For details, see the commission's annual report.