We're ever so fussy about where we're willing to hang out, though all it takes is a few basics to make people feel comfortable enough to linger in public spaces. At the western dead end of Union Street, as shown in the photo below, there are places to sit and sun, something interesting to look at, and it's relatively close to an active street:



Nothing too earth-shattering, and it could be a lot better, yet it works. In contrast, grok the barren plaza shown below, located at the north end of Pike Place Market:





Rarely do you ever see people here, even though it's right next door to one of Seattle's most heavily used pedestrian and tourist areas. The view of the Sound and Olympics is just as spectacular as it is down at Union Street. It gets plenty of that warm western sun. What gives?

The problem is, there's no place out on the west edge to sit, relax and take in the view. The only seating in the plaza is near the street, and that's where the few people who go here tend to linger, often having a smoke.

The viewpoint is directly adjacent to the SR-99 viaduct, and it's gratingly loud. The ground level uses at on the plaza---except for the Tully's out on Western Ave---are not active enough to draw much foot traffic. And lastly, it's pretty darn gray and bleak-feeling overall.

Individually, these negative factors wouldn't be enough to kill an open space, but together, kill it they do. Such a waste of a potentially great public space.

One of Seattle's best examples of the simple magic that makes for successful urban open spaces is the Garden of Remembrance at 2nd and University, outside Benaroya Hall. It takes thoughtful design, but it's not rocket science.