South Park Plaza Landbanked Site Park Development
Updated: December 6, 2023
Fall 2023
The project was successfully bid in November 2023. The contractor is scheduled to begin construction in early January 2024, with completion in August 2024.
Seattle Parks and Recreation secured a King County Healthy Communities Grant to help fund the cultural/community elements for this park. These include a solar charging station project elevated by the Duwamish Valley Sustainability Association and the multi-cultural elements for the “South Park” sign, tile work for the plaza seat wall in the park, and Indigenous people's stories in pathways, stone erratic and interpretive exhibits. SPR will be reaching out to the community in the next couple of months to present the design and gather additional support for moving the cultural elements forward. The project is permitted and reviewed through 90% of construction documents. We anticipate putting the project out to bid in May of 2023 with construction during the summer – with completion in January 2024.
The design team presented to the Seattle Design Commission on November 18, 2021. To see the presentation and learn more about the project view this PDF document. The project design includes an open lawn, primary event space, play elements, seating terraces, accessible pathways, bio-swales, irrigation, and landscape improvements. This project is also collaborating with SDOT on South Dallas Street and 14th Avenue South bridge and South Orr Street accessibility, and circulation improvements for pedestrians and vehicles at this important open space connection between South Park's Business District and the river.
Location
Budget
Seattle Park District provides $2,668,875 for planning, design, and construction.
Schedule
Planning: 2018 - 2019
Design: 2019 - 2022
Construction: Bidding November 2023 with on-site construction beginning January 2024
Project Description
This 0.83-acre site located along the South Park River Walk, an element of the South Park Green Spaces Vision Plan will provide the South Park community access to open space within this high-density urban area
SPR and the design team are finalizing the design which includes an open lawn, primary event space, play elements, seating terraces, accessible pathways, bio-swales, irrigation and landscape improvements.
SPR purchased the site in 2014. The Seattle Park District funds the development of this parcel into a park. This parcel will not be accessible during construction.
Community Participation
Thank you to everyone who participated in the two outreach events in October 2021. The October 12 meeting focused on themes, colors, and cultures for South Park Plaza and the October 16 meeting focused on elements and infrastructure needs for events at the Plaza. These events are opportunities to offer creative ideas on how to integrate the cultures of South Park into your new park. If you have additional input please send Jay Rood, the project manager, an email.
The planning and design team thanks everyone who participated in the public process for this park. We have gathered input from the November 2019 meeting and three online surveys to prepare the schematic design.
Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) has determined that the project does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c). This decision was made after a review of a completed environmental checklist and other information on file with SPR. This information is available to the public on request. The Determination of Non-Significance was issued on December 23, 2021.
Download the DNS document for additional information
Download the Analysis and Decision of SPR
View the SEPA Environmental Checklist document here
South Park Plaza Site Plan
Please continue to participate in the public process as we work together to design your new park space.
The design team presented to the Seattle Design Commission on November 18, 2021. To see the presentation and learn more about the project view this PDF document.
Survey #2 Results Summer/Fall 2020
Survey #3 Results Spring/Summer 2021
January 2021 Press Releases South Park area projects update: (English; Spanish; Vietnamese)
April 2021 Press Releases Schematic design review and survey: (English; Spanish; Vietnamese)
Public Meeting 11/16/2019
- November 16, 2019 Public Meeting Poster
- November 16, 2019 Public Meeting Presentation
- November 16, 2019 Public Meeting Notes
2019 Online Survey Results
- https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-QTWJKGR37/ (English)
- https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-JL8N9GR37/ (Spanish)
Public Meetings 10/12 & 10/16, 2021
- October 2021 Meetings Poster (In English, Spanish, and Vietnamese)