Terry Pettus Park Renovation

Updated: February 14, 2024

Early 2024

The project is working through design and multiple permit requirements. The permits include the following:

U.S Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) – includes Section 10, Section 404, Section 106, Tribal consultation and US Coast Guard review.
Department of Ecology (DOE) – The Department of Ecology (State) includes 401 Water Quality Certification and Hydraulic Project Approval from the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.
City – Shoreline Substantial Development Permit and Building Permit.
Street Improvement Permit (SIP) process with SDOT.

Once permits are obtained we will be moving towards bidding this project for construction.

In Honor of Terry Pettus

This park is named in honor of Terry Pettus, who was a progressive-minded newspaper reporter and author, who became Washington state's first member of the American Newspaper Guild.
He had a social conscience, was a social activist - and fought for union rights, against racial discrimination, for better housing, and for the rights of poor and working people. He was also a leader in the fight for Old Age pensions in Washington State.
In the 1960s and '70s, he helped form the Floating Homes Association, on Lake Union. Working with the City Council, he also helped organize the clean-up of Lake Union.
Terry Pettus' activities in the Floating Homes community included struggles for rent control and against the incursion of condominiums and freeways.
He summed up his hopes by saying that all he ever wanted was to help create a sharing society, to eliminate all privilege, and for people to have control over their own lives.

Location

Terry Pettus Park, 2001 Fairview Avenue E, 98102 On the east shore of Lake Union.

Budget

Seattle Park District provides approximately $1,576,000.00 in funding for this project.

Schedule

Planning & Design: Spring 2020 - Early 2024
Permitting: 2022-2024
Bidding: Late 2023 - dependent on permits
Construction: TBD

Project Description

Renovate the street-end pocket park located on the eastern shore of Lake Union with goals to:

Maintain the waterfront recreational use and character of the small, green pocket park serving the Eastlake neighborhood, enhance the park features with more durable materials, improve accessibility, and incorporate shoreline restoration, as appropriate
Incorporate an approx. 4,000 sq. ft. shoreline parcel addition into the park (located directly south of park)
Enhance waterfront recreational activities and enhance water views and water access of the park, restoring pier, dock and float
Enhance the park entrance and connection to the adjacent Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop Trail, meeting the standards of the Americans Disability Act (ADA)
Enhance landscaping, install irrigation, and incorporate shoreline habitat restoration, as appropriate

During construction, the contractor will need to close the park. Seattle Parks and Recreation and the contractor hired for the project will work to minimize impacts to park users and the community.

Community Participation

Thank you to everyone who participated in our survey and the two online engagement events. Please see the information below including recordings of the two meetings. Our design team received good input from the community and finalized a Proposed New Concept Design that will provide a space for water access, habitat restoration, and recreation.

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) has determined that it does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An environmental impact statement 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 (DNS) was issued on July 31, 2023.
Download the DNS document for additional information

May 2020 - Online Survey Response Summary

Online Public Meeting 7/29/2020

Online Public Meeting 9/23/2020