SEATTLE — Changes are coming to the downtown Seattle Waterfront, and your input is needed.
The Elliott Bay Connections project is set to start construction next winter and is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2026 before Seattle hosts the World Cup.
The project is in the design phase and people can give their input online until Nov. 30.
The project will bring improvements to places like Myrtle Edwards Park and Centennial Park, making more accessible beaches, adding restrooms and picnic areas, and adding greenery. Public fishing will also be restored in some areas.
The goal is to connect more areas of Downtown Seattle, which the project aims to do by adding a greenway for pedestrians and cyclists to the East side of Alaskan Way on the Downtown Waterfront. This greenway will serve to connect the Olympic Sculpture Park to Pier 62, creating a safer and easier way for people on foot and bike to get to the heart of downtown.
The Elliott Bay Trail is a favorite of locals.
“We walk our dogs here every day,” said Wendy Orona, who uses the trail. “Morning, noon, evening time. We met a lot of our dog friends here, too, so that's nice.”
“I like looking at the water," said Edward Ledger, who uses the trail. "I like looking at the high tides and low tides."
The people KING 5 spoke to were excited about the plans for improvements.
“Right now, it's like a little bit, just kind of concrete everywhere," said Seattle resident Adam Orona, of adding more greenery to the waterfront. "So some more colors are always welcome."
“That's a great idea because there's always people down here, even on a cold day like today, there's people, there's runners, lots of people down here," Ledger said.
“This is going to be a phenomenal deal for our city,” said Jon Scholes, the President of the Downtown Seattle Association, which is helping to coordinate the project. “So, you've got this seamless connection between Smith Cove down to Pioneer Square, 50 acres of new space, three and a half miles of incredible shoreline and waterfront, that's going to be green, safe, clean, and beautiful for all of us to enjoy.”
The $45 million project is privately funded, with Melinda French Gates and Mackenzie Scott personally donating a portion of that money.