The photo above (click to enlarge) shows the intersection of 1st Ave and University St in downtown Seattle, one of the most prominent pedestrian crossings in the city. So, did the city run out of white paint, or what?

Sadly no. That half-finished pattern of sterile white stripes is all we get---the best this city that aspires to be the most walkable in the nation can do. Oh, Seattle, why do you embarrass yourself so?

First and University is at the top of Harbor Steps, one of the most spacious and well-used open spaces in the downtown office core, and also downtown's most most functional and dramatic pedestrian connection to the waterfront. The Seattle Art Museum and the iconic Hammering Man occupy the northeast corner of the intersection, and a block to the east is Benaroya Hall and an entrance to the transit tunnel. Special stairways were built along the southern edges of Benaroya and SAM to enhance walkability between Third and First Aves. A block north you hit Pike Place Market.

In other words, First and University belongs at the top of Seattle's list for places where we ought to celebrate urban walkability. The city recently took a positive step in this direction by converting the intersection to a "scramble," where vehicular traffic is stopped on both streets at the same time, freeing pedestrians to walk in any direction, including diagonally.

With the scramble came the super deluxe new white paint job you see in the photo. When I first saw those truncated diagonal lines I thought they couldn't possibly be finished, but alas, I have since learned otherwise.

Yes, credit is due to the folks at the city's transportation department who took the initiative to push the scramble conversion through the bureaucracy. And yes, there are probably arcane city regulations that dictate how intersections can be painted. But c'mon people, is this really the best we can do?

More white lines would be a good start, but what First and University deserves is a full pavement treatment across the entire intersection. Something like the paving on Pine St. between Fourth and Fifth Ave. would be nice, though it wouldn't have to be that fancy. It just needs to visually distinguish the intersection as place where pedestrians take priority over cars. A raised tabletop would be ideal.

And it's not just about aesthetics. Unusual paving wakes drivers up and gets them to pay attention, creating a safer walking environment. You can readily observe this effect at 1st and Pike, reinforced by the noise and vibration created by the brick paving.

I suspect some readers may think I'm getting a little too worked up over this one intersection. But if we can't find a way to invest in a pedestrian a amenity we all can be proud of there, where and when will it ever happen?

The root problem is that we are a private property-centric culture that undervalues the public realm. But unfortunately, that's where almost all walking happens. And if the public realm is neglected, a place will never reach its full potential for walkability. You get what you pay for.