Map of Waterfront Seattle improvements, which highlights the projects outlined on this page. The highlighted areas show that future improvements will take place on South King Street, South Main Street, South Washington, Street, and Yesler Way between Alaskan Way and Second Avenue South. Other improvements will also take place at the Washington Street Boat Landing Pergola, which is on the west side of Alaskan Way near the intersection with South Washington Street, and at the new habitat beach that juts out into the water near the boat landing.

Pioneer Square

Project status

Design rendering showing people in Occidental Park crossing Main Street at an intersection that is raised a few inches above the street to encourage cars to prioritize pedestrians, with trees and greenery around.

Tabled intersections at Occidental Park make crossings easier and more accessible for pedestrians

Design rendering looking east on South Washington Street towards the water and the Washington Street Boat Landing, showing a street with no curbs and new street trees. There is street parking and increased sidewalk space for pedestrians.

Curbless streets and new landscaping on Washington Street will create a new gateway from the waterfront into Pioneer Square

Photo of the reinstalled Washington Street Boat Landing Pergola, an outdoor structure consisting of columns that support a roofing grid of beams and rafters that is located by the water at the end of South Washington Street

The recently restored Pergola has been returned to its original splendor, featuring new lighting and restored ornamentation, and a space for a small food concessions on the future waterfront

Rendering of the habitat beach that has rocks, plants and trees, with a woman sitting with a notebook and birds resting on logs

The nearly-complete Washington Street beach improves conditions for juvenile salmon while providing the public with an opportunity to access Elliott Bay

We shore are excited to let you know that we have completed landscape plantings at Habitat Beach south of Colman Dock! Now that our flora friends have moved in, they need time to get acclimated to the local environment. If you ever find yourself in the area, we encourage you to stop by and say hello to our green friends, clustered up like an emerald jewel in the crown that is Elliott Bay.

About the project

Working with community partner Alliance for Pioneer Square, we will design and construct improvements on portions of Main, Washington and King streets and Yesler Way between Alaskan Way and 2nd Avenue S, to prioritize pedestrians, improve sidewalks and increase greenery on these east-west streets.

The Washington Street Boat Landing and Beach will restore access to the waterfront for Pioneer Square and the South Downtown community. The landmark pergola structure has been a piece of Seattle's waterfront since the early 20th century, and with its recent restoration, it once again serves as a symbolic gateway to the city from the Puget Sound.

Between Colman Dock and Pier 48, a new beach supports the waterfront ecosystem, including enhancing the salmon corridor by adding rocks and nearshore vegetation. These two together create an exciting destination and will help connect Pioneer Square and the South Downtown community back to the waterfront.