Location

Occidental Square, 117 S Washington St, Seattle 98104

Funding

Both the play area and the pavilion are fully funded privately. Funding for the pavilion has been provided by donors to Seattle Parks Foundation, and the Downtown Seattle Association is funding the play area project.

Schedule

Construction will occur in the fall/winter months when park use is lowest. Park programming and operations will continue during construction, with temporary fencing around the site to keep it secure and keep park visitors safe.

Pavilion Construction: Late Spring 2020 - Summer 2020

Project Description

In 2014, Seattle Parks Foundation commissioned Dan Biederman-the visionary consultant behind the revitalization of New York's Bryant Park-to assess conditions at Occidental Square in downtown Seattle and develop a plan to turn it into a more vibrant and welcoming gathering space for people of all ages and walks of life.



Biederman's report has guided an effort to dramatically enhance public life in the park, with operations and programming led by Downtown Seattle Association in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation. That vision has attracted major financial and fundraising support from Seattle Parks Foundation donors, the Alliance for Pioneer Square, and Friends of Waterfront Seattle, demonstrating that private sector donors are deeply invested in creating public spaces that serve all people.

Occidental Square has been transformed into the lively heart of the Pioneer Square neighborhood, with colorful café seating, new planters, artwork, ping-pong tables and musical performances. The park's newfound popularity and high attendance at regular free events has inspired donors to invest in two major capital projects.

One project is a graceful new wood and glass pavilion at the south end of the square. The structure, which will replace an existing outdated kiosk, will serve as a visitor center, performance stage, and well-lit shelter in inclement weather. The second project is a new play area at the north end of the square, with climbing equipment, safety surfacing, and an attractive steel and timber bench where people can sit and enjoy the park and watch their children play.

The Play Area project, completed in October 2019, provides a new activity in the park and will increase ways that families can enjoy Occidental Square. The play area complements the existing neighborhood by using timber play equipment and a timber bench that also functions as an enclosure for safety.





Contact:

If you have questions about either project, please contact Garrett Farrell, project manager at Seattle Parks and Recreation, at Garrett.Farrell@seattle.gov.

Community Participation













Community outreach and public engagement started in 2017 and continued in 2018. Over 500 people were reached through open houses, online surveys, and residential and business meetings. Gathering input, feedback and support was very useful and helped guide the design of both projects.

View a summary of meetings and outreach here.