The people behind Open Platform—a proposal for a park and outdoor performance space vying for the Seattle Center's Fun Forest site—just announced their intention to continue campaigning for the space, after a committee recommended today it be walled off for a Chihuly museum.

From their press release:

The group is deeply disappointed by today’s news that the Selection Committee recommends the open space be developed as part of the Chihuly Museum. Under this proposal, 30,000 SF of open space will be walled off and the public will be charged an admission fee to enter.

Seattle Center is important public land owned by the citizens of Seattle. The Open Platform plan transforms the open space into an interactive environment of outdoor rooms, pathways, native plantings, and green infrastructure. This environment provides a platform for a host of creative programs and community activities that are presented through partnerships with artists, designers, community members, and organizations. We believe Open Platform’s innovative, groundbreaking plan will serve the greatest number of people and provide the greatest public return. The open space area becomes an exciting public amenity that is free, diverse, and serves all ages—drawing the entire community.

The good news is the process is not over. The Committee’s recommendation now goes to the Mayor and City Council who will make the final decision. The Mayor has said he will back what the public wants. Open Platform will be working with the citizens of Seattle and our elected officials to urge them to select our plan so Seattle gets the public open space it deserves.

Open Platform and KEXP have expressed a willingness to share development of the site—KEXP in the Arcade Pavilion and Open Platform on the grounds surrounding it.