South Park Plaza Landbanked Site Park Development

Spring 2023

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) recently secured a King County Healthy Communities Grant to help fund the cultural/community elements for this park. These include the 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 months to present the design and gather additional support for moving the cultural elements forward. The project is permitted and reviewed thru 90% 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.

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.