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Press Release

For Immediate Release

*Contact Information*
Karissa Braxton, Office of the Mayor 
Phone: 206-566-3545
Email: Karissa.Braxton2@seattle.gov [ info@company.com ]

Iris Picat, Office of the Waterfront and Civic Projects 
Phone: (505) 600-1227   
Email: info@waterfrontseattle.org

Images and materials are available using this link [ https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/vt0z8jptam1wbpfi53kc2/ANUKQn4_zA6SOXTXRot3QIA?dl=0&rlkey=riil3f33wmxw6sr8ilyp6coqq&st=f4e305a6&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]. 



Mayor Bruce Harrell, City and Community Partners Celebrate the Completion of Seattle’s Waterfront Park Improvements in Pioneer Square 

*"Pioneer Square East-West Pedestrian Improvements project [ https://waterfrontseattle.org/waterfront-projects/pioneer-square?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] creates more accessible and enjoyable travel between downtown Seattle and the new Waterfront Park through Pioneer Square neighborhood."*

Seattle (December 4, 2024) – Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell joined the Office of the Waterfront and Civic Projects, the Pioneer Square Alliance and community partners to celebrate the completion of major construction on the Pioneer Square East-West Pedestrian Improvements project. [ https://waterfrontseattle.org/waterfront-projects/pioneer-square?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] As part of the City's Waterfront transformation [ https://waterfrontseattle.org/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] and Downtown Activation Plan [ https://www.downtownisyou.com/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ], the project improves connections for people walking and rolling through the heart of the Pioneer Square neighborhood for more accessible and enjoyable travel between downtown Seattle and the new Waterfront Park— priorities expressed by Pioneer Square residents, businesses and workers.  

“As a city, we embrace innovation, creativity, and evolution. As Seattle continues to grow, projects like the Pioneer Square East-West Pedestrian Improvements embody our vision of seamless connections between the waterfront and downtown neighborhoods. Yesterday’s construction site has become today’s pedestrian pathways and open green spaces, enabling people to walk, bike, and roll between the waterfront, Pioneer Square, and the rest of downtown,” *said Mayor Bruce Harrell.* “At the heart of our Downtown Activation Plan is a commitment to reimagining public spaces to meet current needs, while creating opportunities for future generations of residents, families, workers, and visitors. Today, we celebrate another major milestone in our waterfront transformation as we move closer to the full completion and opening of our iconic waterfront next year.” 

Construction began in January 2024 and was completed in phases to help minimize impacts to neighbors and businesses. The city partnered with the Alliance for Pioneer Square during the project's design and construction phases. Improvements have been made throughout Pioneer Square on S King, S Main and S Washington streets, and Yesler Way. S Main and S Washington streets have been reconfigured to be one lane and one way in each direction between Alaskan Way S and 2nd Ave S, providing additional high-quality spaces for pedestrians and greenery. Other improvements include nine new tabled pedestrian crossings, four new blocks of curbless streets and 13,400 square feet of newly planted areas.  

“Our primary goal for Pioneer Square improvements was to create a more enjoyable and accessible pedestrian experience,” *said Angela Brady, Director of the Office of the Waterfront and Civic Projects. *“Waterfront Park will be a must-see Seattle destination and with our improvements in Pioneer Square, visitors and residents of all abilities can better connect to this vibrant historic neighborhood to enjoy all it has to offer, including the incredible local businesses, Occidental Park, and the Pioneer Square Habitat Beach. This accomplishment brings us another big step closer to completing the City’s Waterfront Seattle Program improvements that are helping to knit our city back together with our stunning waterfront.” 

In collaboration with local tribes, storytelling elements honoring Indigenous histories in and around Pioneer Square have been incorporated into the improvement project. These include new illustrated interpretive panels that showcase traditional Indigenous practices with ground-level etchings that depict native plants and their uses. Unique design features, such as “Shoreline Alley” pavement markings, highlight the original location of the historic Elliott Bay shoreline from the mid-to-late 19th century. 

Contrasting patterns of light and dark brick pavers line the alleyway crossings at S Main and S Washington Streets, inviting residents, workers, and visitors to explore the area’s unique history while walking along Seattle’s historic waterfront shoreline. New wooden piers have also been installed on S Main and S Washington Streets. The tops of these piers are intentionally charred to recognize the Great Seattle Fire.  

The completion of the Pioneer Square East-West Pedestrian Improvements project is the latest development in Seattle's Waterfront transformation including the Marion Street Pedestrian Bridge [ https://waterfrontseattle.org/waterfront-projects/marion-street-bridge?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ], Railroad [ https://waterfrontseattle.org/waterfront-projects/railroad-way?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]Way [ https://waterfrontseattle.org/waterfront-projects/railroad-way?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ], Pike Pine streetscape and bicycle improvements [ https://waterfrontseattle.org/waterfront-projects/pike-pine-renaissance?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ], Overlook Walk [ https://waterfrontseattle.org/waterfront-projects/overlook-walk?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ], Pier 58 [ https://waterfrontseattle.org/waterfront-projects/pier-58?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ], Pier 62 [ https://waterfrontseattle.org/waterfront-projects/pier-62?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] and the Park Promenade, Protected Bike Path and public restroom [ https://waterfrontseattle.org/waterfront-projects/park-promenade-bike-path?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]. Together, these projects will create a 20-acre linear park along the waterfront — Seattle’s largest civic project since the 1962 World’s Fair — set to be fully completed by spring 2025.      

 

*What people are saying* 

*Rob Saka, Seattle City Council, District 1* 

“As the Councilmember representing Seattle’s oldest neighborhood, Pioneer Square, I know how critically important this new East-West Pedestrian Improvements project is to the residents, small businesses, and workers.  This community continues to sustain construction impacts and so I am thrilled that more visitors will now be able to experience all that this vibrant neighborhood has to offer.” 

*Joy Hollingsworth, Seattle City Council, District 3* 

"This new pedestrian connection is a welcome addition to our City's Waterfront Park project, making it easier than ever for everyone in Seattle to visit everything the waterfront has to offer -- from the Pioneer Square Habitat Beach to Pier 62 to the brand-new Overlook Walk. Our parks and open spaces are a vital part of what makes Seattle so special, and I am excited that this new connection will bring more people together to enjoy our revitalized waterfront." 

*Bob Kettle, Seattle City Council, District 7* 

“Today is an exciting step in the redevelopment of Seattle’s waterfront, one of the crown jewels of our Downtown and the City. The pedestrian improvements through Occidental Park down to the water will help make this neighborhood even better than it was before – drawing residents and visitors alike to one of the most iconic spots in the Puget Sound region.” 

*Lisa Howard, Executive Director of the Alliance for Pioneer Square*. 

"The completion of this new pedestrian connection marks a pivotal moment for Pioneer Square and our city's Waterfront. Years in the making, this project not only enhances access between our historic neighborhood and the water but also represents a significant step in our work to ensure a welcoming and dynamic public realm. By incorporating historical elements into the design, we honor the rich heritage of our area while embracing the forward-looking vision for downtown Seattle. The waterfront is more than just a destination – it's a symbol of our city’s identity, and this connection is an invitation for everyone to explore, experience, and celebrate these iconic parts of our community." 

*- Emily Kim, Co-Founder at The Pastry Project* 

"As both a resident and business owner in Pioneer Square, I've been excited to see the new pedestrian connection to the waterfront come to fruition! It feels like a breath of fresh air, making our corner of Seattle even more accessible and connected to our neighbors. It’s a beautiful, easy way to move between two vibrant parts of the city -- I've already seen an increase in people out and about enjoying the neighborhood!" 

*- Valerie Segrest, Co-founder of Tahoma Peak Solutions* 

“We have created a living memorial through the stories of plants. The plant selection for the Pioneer Square project centers around what my ancestors would've utilized as a traditional technology, such as plants fashioned into cordage, rope, spears, hooks and things that we would have utilized to maintain our way of life. Plants such as Ocean Spray and cherry trees are going to help tell this story. When we can get to know our place, where we are in this world, we have a better sense of connection to the land and a better respect for it.”  

-*Ryan Smith, Pioneer Square project Sounding Board member and Alliance for Pioneer Square Board* 

“The Pioneer Square East/West Connections Project has enhanced the connections from the new Waterfront Promenade into heart of the Pioneer Square Historic District.  We are glad that the construction dust has finally settled after more than a decade of major construction in the neighborhood.  I’m excited to invite everyone down to see the beautiful new streetscapes thoughtfully blended into our historic district and to touch the water at the new Habitat Beach.” 

*- Jon Scholes, Downtown Seattle Association President & CEO* 

“With the Pioneer Square Habitat Beach, Ocean Pavilion and Overlook Walk now online, the Pioneer Square East/West Connections Project provides a clear navigable link from our historic section of downtown to some of our new, world-class attractions and public spaces. One of the promises of the waterfront project was a stronger connection between our central waterfront and downtown’s neighborhoods and we’re seeing this materialize in some really exciting ways.”  

*- Joy Shigaki, President and CEO, Friends of Waterfront Park* 

“The Pioneer Square East-West Improvements make it easier for everyone to explore the Pioneer Square neighborhood and enjoy all it has to offer. By improving access to the waterfront and creating better connections to places like Pioneer Square Habitat Beach at Waterfront Park, these updates help people experience the beauty of nature and the vibrant history of our downtown. We’re excited about how these changes will make visiting Pioneer Square and Waterfront Park a more seamless experience, encouraging more people to enjoy this special part of Seattle.” 

 

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