Freeway Park in downtown Seattle declared city landmark

SEATTLE — Freeway Park, positioned at 700 Seneca Avenue and constructed over Interstate 5 atop a freeway lid, was declared a metropolis landmark on Wednesday.

The Landmarks Preservation Board in Seattle unanimously accredited the park’s nomination as there was a four-step course of for its designation.

The five-acre park, inbuilt 1976, spans the freeway and is supported by concrete piers and bridges, together with a multistory parking storage. It gives a pathway for individuals to cross over the interstate.

“It bridges the freeway, it’s constructed on a lid that knits First Hill to downtown. It gives a pedestrian path between the 2 areas of the town, successfully type of suturing collectively the canyon that was opened up by the development of I-5. It’s this characteristic that makes Freeway Park actually uncommon,” mentioned Chrisanne Beckner with Seattle Parks and Recreation.

The park has an irregular footprint and is 1,300 ft lengthy with differing widths. It integrates lawns, plantings, pathways, massive planting packing containers and has dramatic water options.

The city park is surrounded by high-rise buildings.

The park was designed in order that it could defend individuals from the visitors sounds and smells of the town.

Vegetation discovered within the park embody rhododendron, sweetgum, Lebanon cedar and viburnum, simply to call a number of.

The luscious foliage was chosen when the park was being designed, with an understanding that the placement would topic them to uncommon ranges of stress: “dehydration of foliage from wind funneled by adjoining constructions; common abuse by pedestrians, vehicles, and animals; glare from cement or glass; and soil and upkeep issues,” in accordance with the town landmark nomination software.

Whereas pure parks endure steady evolution and alter, Freeway Park has undergone alterations. Its authentic plantings are not possible to keep up. Alterations have been made to its authentic plan with a sequence of ramps, stairs and water options that now climb uphill alongside the Benaroya Analysis Institute and connects to the intersection of ninth Avenue and College Avenue on First Hill.

As a metropolis landmark, Freeway Park is now protected by a metropolis ordinance.

A public assembly is scheduled for July 6 to substantiate the board’s determination.

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