Three different designs for the future Junction Plaza were presented to the public last week and most of the 10 or so people in attendance preferred a plan with half of the site paved, the other half landscaped, crisscrossed by pathways and edged with a sitting wall.

Junction Plaza is to be built at the northwest corner of 42nd Avenue and Alaska Street.

Planners said the new city park needs a design that's flexible enough for a variety of uses. It must be a gathering place for events such as musical performances and the lighting of the community Christmas tree. But it also must be a casual spot where people can sit, converse, play chess or eat lunch.

The design is evolving as plans for the plaza are refined.

"Designing a new park is a rare opportunity in a neighborhood business district," said David Goldberg, project manager for Seattle Parks and Recreation.

Trees would be planted along the Alaska Street and 42nd Avenue sides of the plaza. However there was worry that too many trees would block the view into the park, possibly creating a public safety problem.

Brick is likely to be one of the materials used to build the new plaza because brick is already a key construction material in other Junction architecture.

"We want the materials to reflect the beauty of the place," said Karen Kiest, a landscape architect whose firm is working on the Junction Plaza project.

Of concern to some at the meeting was the alley that runs along the western end of the little park. Some Junction residents complained about daily noise caused by employees of California Avenue businesses who toss bottles and trash into Dumpsters that line the alley. There's also the noise of delivery trucks in the alley.

Some people worry about the addition of late-night noise that could be generated within the park. But Goldberg said city parks close at 11 p.m. He encouraged people to report noise problems to police.

Other people worried Junction Plaza will generate more trash in the neighborhood.

Goldberg asked people what they thought about providing space in the plaza for skateboarding. Last July, Seattle Parks and Recreation solicited public comments about what to include in the Junction Plaza design during the West Seattle Summer Fest. At that time, many people said they wanted skateboarding features included. But skateboard enthusiasts were scarce at last week's meeting

An older woman said she fears getting knocked down by skateboarders at the future plaza. But a man replied skateboarders are inevitable and they have just as much right to use the park as anyone else.

Other ideas offered by people at Summer Fest were built-in chess tables, a playground, basketball hoop, waterfall, picnic area and lots of trees.

In the past, there was interest in putting a vintage streetcar on part of the site because the Junction is named after the junction of streetcar lines that met near California Avenue and Alaska Street. It was decided that the size of a streetcar would overwhelm the small park site.

Someone suggested a P-Patch, where people could grow their own plots for flowers or vegetables. But the site was deemed too small.

Planners also ruled out having a public restroom in the new park because they cost "several thousand dollars," Goldberg said.

The plaza site is next to Alaska House, the tallest building in the Junction, which forms the northern edge of the new park. Some people suggested part of the Alaska House wall be painted with a mural or lighted dramatically.

Originally there was a pond at the plaza site. Later there was a Flying A gas station there. Contaminated soils from the old service station have since been taken away.

Park planners intend to meet with Junction business owners and they'll refine the plans before holding another public meeting in late October. Construction is expected in 2008.

Tim St. Clair can be reached at tstclair@robinsonnews.com or 932-0300.