On Monday, I posted a short blog about a “Placemaking Open House” that First Washington Realty was hosting for the Brookside neighborhood. I wasn’t sure what to expect, so I dropped by for a look.

A representative from First Washington was there, along with someone from Dimension Innovations, a design firm. First Washington has plans to improve various public spaces around the shops, and this is the first proposed project. Two easels showed the options being considered for the streetscape on Brookside Plaza, between 62nd Terrace and 63rd St.

Option 1 shows a line of 8′ tall square pylons, lit from the inside, resting on a concrete wall with areas for sitting. This design includes a directory and an artificial metal tree and bushes at the base.

Option Two has several steel wall posts also set in a concrete base, alongside natural grassy landscaping. The 8′ tall marker (the design firm did not know the width of the sign) shows Brookside imprinted on the front. Seating would also be built into this design. The metal structures are painted aluminum.

Attendees were asked to vote for the design they preferred. Several expressed concern that neither design captured the original 1920s charm of Brookside architecture. And some people offered different suggestions, possibly combining the two options. Others suggested adding a shade element to the seating area, or using different materials that wouldn’t get so hot in the summer sun. I was wondering if the large metal markers would hamper the sight lines of drivers pulling out of the parking lot onto 63rd St. The initiative to improve the Brookside neighborhood is always welcome, and it is encouraging that First Washington asked for public comments.

First Washington is planning to start work on this project next Spring. The rep also mentioned plans for improving the alley /driveway between Ace Hardware and the former Fiddly Fig building; and adding more bike racks.