Pioneer Square Area Parks Improvements - Pioneer Square Park and Occidental
Park Pro Parks Project Information
Pioneer Square
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PROJECT STATUS
EVENTS:
Public Meeting #3
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
6:30 - 8 p.m.
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
319 Second Ave. South
Seattle, WA 98104
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Patrick Donohue, Project Manager
800 Maynard Ave S. 3rd Floor
Seattle, WA 98134
(206) 684-9286
patrick.donohue@seattle.gov
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Occidental Square
The park is now open!
Parks has recently removed all of the construction fencing as the last of
the work along the eastern edge of the Occidental Mall has been completed.
Parks is preparing to begin the design process including public input on
the proposed new 625 square foot structure/kiosk to be located in the SE
corner of the park.
> more
Lawsuit pending
This project continues to be in litigation. As the project was nearing construction
in the summer of 2005, two citizens appealed the City's design and development
decisions to the Hearing Examiner.
The mission of the City's Hearing Examiner is to conduct fair and impartial
administrative hearings where jurisdiction has been granted to review actions
of various City departments. The Office of the Hearing Examiner is separate
and independent from all other City departments and the Hearing Examiner's
decision is usually the City's final decision.
The Hearing Examiner ruled in favor of the Parks Department on Monday, Oct.
31, clearing the way for Parks to move forward with improvements to Occidental
Square. However, the appellants exercised their rights and filed an appeal
of the Hearing Examiner’s ruling to King County Superior Court. The case
was heard by the King County Superior Court in June 2006. The court handed
down its verbal ruling on November 9, 2006.
The Court remanded the Parks Department issued Determination of Non-significance
(DNS) back to Parks for further analysis of any potential impact that the
park’s design and renovation project might have on the long term health
of the 43 London Plain trees which remain in the renovated park.
Additionally, the Court remanded back to the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods
(DON) the Certificate of Authorization grant to Parks which allowed the
park renovation be undertaken. The Court directed DON to review the approval
of Parks’ request to demolish the 1970’s glass and steel shelter structure
which was located in the SE corner of Occidental Square Park.
Both Parks and DON are currently reviewing options to comply with the Court's
ruling.
Mayor Greg Nickels speaks to community members and the media on Nov.
26, 2004 at the dedication event for improvements to Pioneer Square
Park. |
Pioneer Square Park: A community event was held in November, 2004
to celebrate the completion of Levy improvements to Pioneer Square Park.
The improvements included: Removal of cobblestones and replacement with
new accessible pavers; removal of two unhealthy trees; improvement of drainage;
relocation and repair of benches; relocation of the phone booth; renovation
of the garden to feature native plantings; renovation of the Chief Sealth
fountain; and provision of electrical outlets for events and decorations.
| LOCATION |
Pioneer Square
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| BUDGET |
The Pro Parks Levy provides $893,877 project costs
of planning, design and construction. The City's 2005 budget provides
an additional $1,200,000. The South Downtown Foundation has also
provided $240,730 for specific improvements.
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| SCHEDULE |
Planning:Summer and Fall of 2002
Design:Completed Fall 2005
Construction:Anticipated Spring 2006 through
Fall 2006
Completion:2006
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PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The final approved design for this park renovation responds to direction
given to Parks by the community, the City Council Park Committee and the
Architecture Review Board of the Pioneer Square Preservation Board.
In the final design we considered, “What can we do to transform Occidental
Square into an active, vibrant, and neighborhood enhancing public space
so enjoyable that it is sought out by the people who live in, work in, and
visit Pioneer Square?” The design integrates more than two years of community
input, as well as recommendations from a Project for Public Spaces report
completed during 2004.
The Board of Park Commissioners held a public hearing and recommended approval
of the schematic to the Parks Superintendent at their meeting in late summer
2004. The Superintendent reviewed their recommendation and input from community
meetings this past year and recommended proceeding as described in his October
26, 2004 letter. (PDF)
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
The Pioneer Square Community Association is working with Parks to involve
the community in this project.
PSCA Contact:
Craig Montgomery
Pioneer Square Community Association
(206) 667-0687
craig@pioneersquare.org
IMPORTANT LINKS
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< A-Z Projects List <
Acquisition < Development
< Project Map |
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| Updated 1/12/2007 11:38 |
