Fortson Square Redevelopment
April 16, 2025
What's Happening Now?
We are taking the next step toward transforming Fortson Square. Construction will begin this fall.
To help prepare for construction work, we are removing the two oak trees on the north corner of Fortson Square on April 22, 2025. Our work should take 2-3 days to complete.
Graphic map, showing tree locations
Fortson Square, from sidewalk in front of Yesler Way, with a view of both trees
As noted in a letter from Chief Seattle Club and The Alliance for Pioneer Square, this project is more than a redesign—rooted in deep community engagement, the new plaza will be the first public space in the city designed to reflect Indigenous culture, ensuring that their presence and traditions are represented in the urban landscape.
You can stay informed by coming to this webpage and signing up for our listserv emails.
Project Overview
The project has some exciting additions and design changes:
- The triangular shape of Fortson Square will become a gathering circle
- Large trees will be replaced with culturally relevant native plants and shrubs
- A new 25-foot welcome figure (carved by Andrea Wilbur Sigo, a member of the Squaxin Island Tribe) will stand on the plaza's northwest corner
- The name of the space will change to The Vi Hilbert Commons
- The new name honors a Native elder from the Upper Skagit Tribe who worked hard to preserve and share Lushootseed culture and language.
Once complete, the space will be a great spot to relax, meet with friends, and connect with the history of Pioneer Square.
Plaza History
Images adapted from "Djidjila'letch to Pioneer Square," produced by The Waterlines Project, Burke Museum (courtesy WSDOT)
Significant indigenous history predates the area currently known as Fortson Square. It was once part of a tidal lagoon where a Duwamish winter village existed. But what was once a place where water met the shore gave way to artificial shores and sea walls. The area became a shipping bay and port. And the Duwamish peoples were banished from living in the city limits.
The Vision
We worked with the local indigenous community to design the space. You can learn more about that work in this post from the Alliance for Pioneer Square.
Project Background
Fortson Square is actually a triangle rather than a square. Its roughly 5,000 square feet of public space is located in the right-of-way. On its shortest borders are buildings and wide sidewalks. Its longest edge sits next to a protected bike lane. There are no benches or other sitting options. So people usually sit on the stairs. People who visit tend to not stay long either, due to the uneven brick pavement.
In 2020, we noted the following:
- People do not feel Fortson Square is a safe or inviting space
- The current plaza design does not adequately support or encourage people to visit or stay in the space
Chief Seattle Club’s new ?ÁL?AL building has given us a great opportunity to redesign and improve this small but important public space. The square and the new development together have the potential to create a welcoming eastern gateway into Pioneer Square.
The local community led by Alliance for Pioneer Square and Chief Seattle Club came together to develop a concept design supported by Historic South Downtown, ex-Council Member Sally Bagshaw, SDOT, and a 10-15 person working group. Subsequently, Council identified budget for SDOT to help advance the community concept to 100 percent design and construction. The project is currently working towards 60 percent design.
Public Outreach Materials
See how we’ve been working with the community to turn this vision into a reality:
- Pioneer Square Preservation Board briefings - Fortson Square Renovation (Aug 2023)
- Community-led 30 percent design concept