The city of Yakima has narrowed the number of possible firms to create a concept design of a downtown plaza to replace the parking lot across from the Capitol Theatre to four.

Mayor Micah Cawley, though, says one firm stands out and that company is owned by Yakima native Kathryn Gustafson who owns companies in Seattle and Washington D.C.

“The lead founding principal [Gustafson] grew up here in the area and always wants to give back to the community. This is someone who is known throughout the world for these projects.”

The firm of Gustafson Guthrie Nichol designed such things as the Pybus Public Market in Wenatchee, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation campus and the Ballard Commons park.

The group is one of four firms being considered by the city to handle the downtown plaza design proposal. The city has agreed to pay $150,000 for the design work.

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