Westlake Park reopens with a new look in downtown Seattle
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Seattle's Westlake Park has reopened after a major renovation, bringing more open space and new public seating to the square in the city's retail core.
The big picture: Downtown advocates say the changes will make it easier to host events at the park — from large markets to World Cup watch parties — while giving people more room to linger.
The renovation closed the park, a paved plaza at Fourth Avenue and Pine Street, for more than six months.
Zoom in: Some of the biggest changes involve what was removed.
- Parks officials took out the large arch at the north end of the park, along with a broken fountain, creating more space and open sight lines.
- They also removed the Seven Hills art sculpture at the park's south end, opening up additional space for cafe tables and landscaping.
What they're saying: "It allows us to do bigger concerts, bigger destination-type events," Jennifer Casillas of the Downtown Seattle Association told Axios.
- Other upgrades involve lighting, electrical infrastructure, accessibility and changes to the stage area.
- New bollards also help keep cars out.
Context: The park is often the site of protests, rallies and celebrations. Seattle Parks spokesperson Christina Hirsch described it as "one of Seattle's most important civic gathering spaces."
The project cost about $6 million, which included private funding, the Puget Sound Business Journal reported.
What's next: Westlake Park will host free World Cup watch parties on the six days Seattle is hosting matches, as well as during the tournament quarterfinals and semifinals.
- Expect food vendors and a giant LED screen showing the games.
