Committee hears renewal of Westin skybridge permit; hotel to fund sequoia irrigation and soil work
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
SDOT and the Westin described a proposed renewal of a 1981 pedestrian skybridge permit that includes a public‑benefit commitment to maintain and upgrade irrigation and soil for a downtown sequoia tree; the committee did not vote during the Dec. 2 meeting.
The Transportation Committee heard a briefing on Council Bill 121022, which would grant Westin (HST Lessee West Seattle LLC in clerk language) a renewed permit to maintain a pedestrian skybridge over Virginia Street for a 15‑year term with one renewable 15‑year extension.
SDOT planner Amy Gray described the structure as originally permitted in 1981 and said the renewal carries a public‑benefit requirement: the permittee has upgraded the irrigation system and soil conditions for a historic sequoia tree in a nearby traffic island and removed constraining holiday lighting. SDOT Urban Forestry advised that the improvements materially increased the tree’s survival prospects after a prior crown damage incident and a tight planting container restricted root growth. The permittee will continue to manage the tree's care as part of the permit obligations.
Councilmembers expressed support for preserving the sequoia as a visible downtown amenity and acknowledged the skybridge’s ADA value connecting the hotel and garage. The committee did not take a vote on the renewal at the Dec. 2 hearing; SDOT staff said the permit term, conditions and monitoring obligations are detailed in the ordinance language and will return for final action as required.