Three gems the Center committee hopes to showcase

Seattle officials would like a Center redesign to showcase existing assets that have lost their impact or been neglected over time.

The colorful mosaic of the Mural Amphitheatre was created by Seattle artist Paul Horiuchi as a commission for the 1962 World's Fair. One idea would push the mural stage closer to the Space Needle, set atop a narrow pool. That placement would open the backside of the mural, which has its own artistic integrity.

Whatever happens to Memorial Stadium, the Memorial Wall will remain. The wall lists the names of Seattle high-school students who died in World War II. Located in front of the stadium parking lot, the wall is obscured by hedges, and fountains flanking both sides are broken. A refurbished wall could be moved elsewhere on the Center grounds, returning dignity to those it memorializes.

One of the nicer views within Seattle Center occurs when the late-day sun shines against the Purple Haze section of Experience Music Project. That facade is the backdrop of Fun Forest rides that will be removed after 2009, creating opportunities for new sightlines that would flaunt Purple Haze's wonders.