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 Washington Street habitat beach improves conditions for juvenile salmon while providing the public with an opportunity to access Elliott Bay

Photo of the habitat beach at Washington Street, with shows a rocky beach with rows of plants that are about ankle-high. Behind the beach, Colman Ferry Dock can be seen.

Plantings are growing at the habitat beach, which will be closed to the public to protect the nearshore vegetation until the future park promenade is complete

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 habitat 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. Construction on the beach is complete, but to preserve the growing young vegetation, the beach is closed to the public and will be open once construction of the park promenade is complete.

Visit our July 2019 online open house to view the recommended concept design and project features for Pioneer Square!

Explore Seattle’s New Waterfront

Pioneer Square

Project status

About the project

Related documents

Pioneer Square East West Pedestrian Improvements materials

Washington Street Boat Landing Pergola materials