On Wednesday, October 15th, The City of Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board
rejected a proposal by Seattle Parks & Recreation to make the Gas Works structure safer, because it would alter the esthetics of the historical landmark. (Axios Seattle
article).
Parks & Recreation's proposal was very logical and clear in its goals:
Specifically remove “Pedestrian Appurtenances” that are designed to convey human beings
vertically and horizontally along the towers, designed for the purposes of
maintaining/servicing and operating the former gas works facility. The working assumption
is that these appurtenances provide platforms and access for graffiti and have been
accessed by trespassers to climb the towers, notwithstanding fencing and signage. Falls
have occurred resulting in serious injury and death. Removing the appurtenances will
eliminate them as a means of access, promoting public health and safety.
SPR’s plan to remove only the pedestrian appurtenances, and the one pipe that extends beyond the
fence, is in keeping with Rich Haag’s vision (original park planner, c. 1975) to preserve the towers as the monolithic representation of the historic gas works. SPR is proposing to remove elements from the towers consistent with Rich’s acknowledgement that structures would be modified for public safety.
Full Seattle Parks & Rec proposal
here.
Since 2008, fifteen (15) reported fall incidents have occurred – 14 of which were responded to by the Seattle Fire Department per their records as follows:
2008 Injuries
2009 Life threatening injuries
2012 Dead
2012 Multiple fractures
2013 Head and liver life threatening injuries
2014 Multiple fractures
2015 Head and internal life-threatening injuries
2016 Multiple fractures
2019 Significant injuries
2022 Dead
2023 Brain injured
2024 Significant injuries
2025 Dead
On October 28th, the family of Mattheis Johnson (who died in July after falling 50ft from one of the towers) sued the City of Seattle to ask a Judge to declare the Gas works structures a legal "nuisance" which would force the City to move forward with abatement and a public apology to those impacted by these preventable deaths and falls. The law firm is doing this for FREE and the family are not suing for financial compensation, but for PUBLIC SAFETY.
As concerned Seattle residents and parents who do not want to see another fatality or near fatal incident occur because of the Gas Works Park structures, we are reaching out to ask for your support in a few ways.
1) Build a list of "Community Supporters" who endorse the Seattle Parks & Rec plan to increase public health and safety of the beloved Gas Works park.
2) When you join this list, you are agreeing to share your name, email and district publicly with elected city officials (including those on the City Council, Seattle Parks & Rec and the Mayor's office), and appointed Board members of Landmark Preservation Board.
3) If you don't want to share your name and email publicly, please answer the OPT OUT question below but OPT IN to further communications from this public campaign.
THANK YOU!
Melissa Riddington & Roisin McGlynn
