On July 27th, we lost Paul Schell, an activist from his earliest days in Seattle, a mayor of our city, and a visionary who set his sights on the future.
Paul was born in 1937, the eldest son from a large Iowa family. He was graduated from the University of Iowa before moving to New York to attend Columbia Law School. At Columbia, he met Pam, a nurse and lifelong ally. The young couple married and moved to Seattle in 1967, making a brief stay in Portland to get acquainted with the Pacific Northwest. They were married for 51 years and raised their daughter, Jamie, between homes on Whidbey Island and in Seattle.
Paul found his civic voice in Seattle. When the Pike Place Market faced demolition, he directed a small organization of architects and artists in the fight to save it. In the administration of Mayor Wes Uhlman , he created the first neighborhood improvements plan that recognized the unique value our neighborhoods offer. In 1979, he founded Cornerstone Development Company, leading efforts to redevelop and repurpose much of downtown Seattle. While serving as a commissioner for the Port of Seattle, he took an early lead on waterfront redevelopment and successfully advocated for the Bell Street Pier project, which had languished for 20 years.
Much has been said of his city-building, and the ageless projects he championed. Seattle Public Libraries. City Hall (pictured below). Seattle Justice Center. The Opera House. Olympic Sculpture Park. The waterfront. Even the world-renowned Inn at Langley. In many ways, he was a mayor ahead of his time, whose brick and mortar accomplishments appear in photo albums and on the Facebook pages of millions around the world. His old friend David Brewster said it beautifully, “Schell was an architect without portfolio.”
As mayor, he challenged us to look ahead, to elevate our built environment, and to leave a civic legacy that’s deserving of the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. He was interviewed by the Seattle Times in his second run for mayor. “It sounds corny. I love this city. It’s been my study, my life. It’s what’s given me meaning and purpose,” he said.
Paul passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 27. He is survived by his wife, his daughter, and the beautiful city he helped build.
Now we have the opportunity to remember Paul through a website [www.ourpaulschell.org] that pays tribute to his many civic contributions.
Leading up to his memorial service at Bell Harbor International Conference center on October 8 at 3 p.m., we’re asking his friends, colleagues, and the community to share memories and honor him and the places and ideas he cultivated that helped make Seattle and the Pacific Northwest a beautiful place.
You can share your thoughts and photos on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #OurPaulSchell or by submitting comments at www.ourpaulschell.org. You can also submit your comments directly to OurPaulSchell@gmail.com.
