From tours of Seattle Center Monorail to an electric vehicle showcase, Mobility Day explores the past and future of human movement in our region and the world.
Next 50 Mobility Day: The Past and Future of Transportation
How many ways can you travel to Seattle Center by conventional and electric vehicle, bicycle, scooter, Monorail, bus, ped, and boat? The choice you make affects your health, our ecology and the future of transportation. Come play, talk and learn about our shared future and explore the connections among the transportation, ecology, economy and community of the Pacific Northwest at Next 50 Mobility Day, 11 a.m. 5 p.m., Saturday, May 19, in the Next 50 Plaza between the Seattle Center Armory/Center House and EMP Museum.
From tours of Seattle Center Monorail to an electric vehicle showcase, Mobility Day explores the past and future of human movement in our region and the world. Here’s a list of the day’s offerings, all in the Activity Tent of Next 50 Plaza (unless stated differently):
- Tour the Seattle Monorail at 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.”space is limited, sign-up in the Activity Tent
- Check out the electric vehicle showcase, with all forms of electrically powered vehicles and demonstrations of the charging infrastructure that is unfolding across our city, region and state, Next 50 Plaza
- Come see King County Metro Transit’s new RapidRide bus
- Learn about the future of Sound Transit’s Link Light Rail
- Write a transportation Haiku
- Visit with Zap Gridlock, Sound Transit’s superhero mascot and Rapid Ride Man, Metro’s mascot
- Watch a series of fun and informative, short videos from our partners, including StreetFilms’ Bike Sharing
- Help shape the future of biking in Seattle, Activity Tent
- Visit the Sustainable Futures Exhibit, Next 50 Pavilion in Next 50 Plaza
- Learn about current transportation projects like the Lake to Bay Loop and Mercer Corridor Project
Consider walking, riding transit or biking to the event and be sure to check out and make use of the new Parking Squid near the Harrison Street entrance to Seattle Center.
Art Installations and Performances this weekend:
A variety of temporary art projects highlighting environmental sustainability are sponsored by the City of Seattle, through the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs 1% for Art program. Seattle.gov/arts, with performances and screenings this weekend including:
- Stokley Towles in Stormwater: Life in the Gutter reveals the world of urban rainfall and traces its travels from the clouds to the city’s streets, homes, businesses and the sewer lines below May 18, 7 p.m. and May 19, 1 p.m. SPU Trailer in Next 50 Plaza. Presented by SPU.
- Mandy Greer in an evolving crochet installation, a meditation on urban creeks entitled Matter Matrix Mother Medium, displayed in the Dupen Fountain and Alki Courtyard.
- A growing exploration by Stacy Levy of land-water connections and sustainable infrastructure called Straw Garden, ongoing, open all hours, Broad Street Green.
Sustainable Futures Exhibits
Living City Design Competition exhibit: showcasing leading ideas about the future of cities that are carbon neutral, net zero in their water and energy consumption and wholesome for people. 12 p.m. 5 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays through May 31, Intiman Playhouse Lobby. Cascadiagbc.org.
Our Sustainable Futures Experience exhibit: addressing what might surprise us about our region’s collective efforts when we look back 50 years from now. The exhibit looks at our region, the choices we make, and the ideas, policies, innovations and technologies that help our region and our world to live more sustainably, 11 a.m. 5 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, through Jun 24, Next 50 Pavilion, Next 50 Plaza.
Urban Intervention exhibit: displaying designs and ideas by the finalists, commendation awardees and other inspiring entries that portray a fresh vision for the heart of the Center as a model for the future of public space, 12 p.m. 5 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays through June 30, Intiman Playhouse Lobby.
The Next Fifty continues through Oct 21 with six months of events, attractions and family activities focusing on Arts, Culture and Design; History; Sustainable Futures; Science and Technology; Global Health; Learning; Commerce and the Innovation Economy; and Civic Action. Seattle Center Foundation heads up the 50th anniversary celebration, working with 19 volunteer committees to plan the events. For more information on The Next Fifty and Seattle Center, visit www.seattlecenter.com or call 206 684-7200.
About Seattle Center and The Next Fifty
Since its beginning 50 years ago, Seattle Center has served as a cultural and civic gathering place at the core of our region. In 2012, The Next Fifty at Seattle Center celebrates the 50th anniversary of the 1962 World’s Fair and the physical legacy it left. The 74-acre Seattle Center campus exists to delight and inspire the human spirit in each person and bring together our rich and varied community. The 12 million visits to Seattle Center each year generate $1.15 billion in business activity and $387 million in labor income for King County.
Next 50 premier partners include: Bartell Drugs, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Coca-Cola, Grousemont Foundation, Microsoft, Samsung, Seattle Center Monorail, T-Mobile, TPN (The Production Network) and World Vision. Funding and participating partners include: 206 Inc., 4Culture, City of Seattle, Global Health Nexus, Hill & Knowlton Strategies, KOMO 4 TV, KUOW 94.9 Public Radio, One to the World, Safeco Insurance: A Liberty Mutual Company, Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, Sheraton Seattle Hotel and Washington Economic Development Commission.