What’s in Store for Seattle’s Downtown Waterfront?

Public spaces are a priority. (The new waterfront is going to be sweet!)

Designed by James Corner the mastermind behind New York City’s High Line Park and numerous renowned projects around the world, in a few years, the Seattle waterfront will be a spectacular sight to see and place to be.

The project will stretch from Belltown to Pioneer Square and scope includes the rebuilding of the Elliot Bay Seawall, new surface streets, two-way dedicated bike lanes, public parks, pedestrian oriented pathways, bridges, and overlooks. The project aims, “to weave more public spaces into our urban fabric,” says Joshua. Among some of the most exciting changes include the expansion of both the Seattle Aquarium and Pike Place Market. The new MarketFront [Our MF blog post] was just the beginning, if you’re familiar with the current layout, the strenuous staircase up to Pike Place will be completely reconfigured and will be accessible to all. Other notable changes include the rebuilding of Pier 62/63 which will once again serve as a concert venue, along with a new public floating dock providing easy access to the waterfront for those travelling by boat.

The renovation requires a long-term vision. (Expect delays for the next decade or so.)

This is a massive undertaking and the transformation of Seattle’s waterfront will occur in multiple phases over the course of several years, with final a completion goal of 2030. For those who have lived in Seattle for the last 20 years, we’ve seen things change drastically with the arrival of major tech corporations like Amazon, Expedia and Microsoft. Urbanization is in full force and there’s no slowing down. Seattle has become a hot spot for tech companies, tourists, and transplants. All we can do is try and keep up, which is exactly what Waterfront Seattle aims to do:  “The waterfront should engage the entire city. It is a public asset and should remain focused on public use and activities that attract people from all walks of life. It should be a place for locals and visitors alike – a place where everything comes together and co-mingles effortlessly.” – waterfrontseattle.org

To learn more about the Seattle Waterfront Project, visit: waterfrontseattle.org