Seattle to Replace Vacant Lots Downtown with Art, Vendors & Community Gardens

imagesCAJL0NNX.jpgSeattle’s City Council unanimously approved a pilot program  that will enliven downtown lots left vacant after the real estate bust.  The City hopes to replace parking lots with public art, mobile food vending, retail kiosks, tree nurseries, community gardens, or any other similar use that enlivens the area for pedestrians.

Is this Seattle’s first step toward challenging Portland’s reign as food cart king? Most likely no: it is unlikely that the 20 lot pilot program will yield anything close to Portland’s 500 food carts.  However, as the city waits for the real estate market to rebound,  our own flavor of vacant lot reuse could keep downtown residents, workers, and visitors well-fed and entertained.

Interested participants must obtain a Type I Master Use Permit, which is subject to approval by the City’s Planning Director.   Those given the green light will be allowed to operate their new and creative uses for three years, with a possible three-year extension.

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