Pioneer Square Area Parks Improvements - Occidental Kiosk/Structure
Pro Parks Project Information

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PROJECT STATUS

The park is now open!

Two citizens appealed the City's design and development decisions to the Hearing Examiner. The mission of the City's Hearing Examiner is to conduct fair and impartial administrative hearings where jurisdiction has been granted to review actions of various City departments. The Office of the Hearing Examiner is separate and independent from all other City departments and the Hearing Examiner's decision is usually the City's final decision.

The Hearing Examiner ruled in favor of the Parks Department on Monday, Oct. 31, clearing the way for Parks to move forward with improvements to Occidental Square. However, the appellants exercised their rights and filed an appeal of the Hearing Examiner’s ruling to King County Superior Court. The case was heard by the King County Superior Court in June 2006. The court handed down its verbal ruling on November 9, 2006.

The Court remanded the Parks Department issued Determination of Non-significance (DNS) back to Parks for further analysis of any potential impact that the park’s design and renovation project might have on the long term health of the 43 London Plain trees which remain in the renovated park.

Additionally, the Court remanded back to the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON) the Certificate of Authorization grant to Parks which allowed the park renovation be undertaken. The Court directed DON to review the approval of Parks’ request to demolish the 1970’s glass and steel shelter structure which was located in the SE corner of Occidental Square Park.

Judge Erlick ruled that Seattle Parks and Recreation must make changes to the project determination of non significance and provide an additional tree study. Parks complied with this and it was accepted by the court.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The final approved design for this park renovation responds to direction given to Parks by the community, the City Council Park Committee and the Architecture Review Board of the Pioneer Square Preservation Board.

In the final design we considered, “What can we do to transform Occidental Square into an active, vibrant, and neighborhood enhancing public space so enjoyable that it is sought out by the people who live in, work in, and visit Pioneer Square?” The design integrates more than two years of community input, as well as recommendations from a Project for Public Spaces report completed during 2004.

The Board of Park Commissioners held a public hearing and recommended approval of the schematic to the Parks Superintendent at their meeting in late summer 2004. The Superintendent reviewed their recommendation and input from community meetings this past year and recommended proceeding.

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

IMPORTANT LINKS

• Seattle Parks & Recreation

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