Thank you for your interest and participation in the Georgetown to South Park Connection project to create a walking/biking path between the two neighborhoods. 

Based on feedback, we’re designing a walking/biking path on the east side of S Ellis St and north side of E Marginal Way S. We now have funding for construction and expect to start construction in 2022 and open the new connection in 2023. 

Read below for details on: 

• Design status  

• Additions to the project since our last update 

• What led to this point  

• More going on in the neighborhood 

• How to be involved 

What is the design status? 

We’re now at what we call 60% design meaning we’ve completed design on the big picture pieces including the route and type of improvements.  

We’re designing the route requested by neighbors which includes a walking/biking path on S Bailey St, 13th Ave S, S Albro Pl, Ellis Ave S, and E Marginal Way S that connects to protected bike lanes and the existing sidewalk on 16th Ave S. See map and more details within our presentation to the Seattle Design Commission. 

By the end of the year, we expect to reach 100% design and have details worked out such as bus stop layout, public art, and landscaping (e.g. tree types, heights, and spacing). We expect to start construction in summer/fall 2022.  

Additions to the project 

This project is only getting more comprehensive as we partner with other City agencies and community groups. 

Flume property: We’re partnering with Seattle Parks and Recreation to acquire the “Flume property” from Seattle City Light between the Aero Motel and Boeing campus. Based on neighborhood requests, next year, SDOT and Parks are planning to convert the space to a dog park with trees, landscaping, lighting, benches, and bike racks.  

We’ll incorporate a walking/biking path connection through the Flume property to connect people from E Marginal Way to Ellis Ave S. More details here.  

What led up to this point? 

After years of advocacy from Georgetown and South Park neighbors and Duwamish Valley Safe Streets to create a walking and biking connection between these two neighborhoods, Seattle City Council incorporated funding into the City’s budget for design and construction.  

We worked closely with Duwamish Valley Safe Streets to spread the word about the project and solicit thoughtful and informed input from neighbors on the route people think we should build to better connect Georgetown and South Park. Check out the full outreach summary here.  

More in the neighborhood 

We know the closure of the West Seattle bridge has been difficult on many people living in the area, and especially those living along the detour routes. As part of the West Seattle Bridge team’s response to the bridge closure, last summer they conducted broad outreach to hear how people have been impacted and what improvements they would most like to see in their neighborhoods.  

They heard loud and clear that people in South Park and Georgetown were concerned about people speeding through their neighborhoods, pedestrian safety, and environmental impacts. Through the “Home Zone” program, the team has already started implementing what neighbors are asking for, including:  

• Speed humps 

• Flashing beacons at crosswalks 

• Stairway improvements 

• Pilot Stay Healthy Streets (in which some streets are closed to through traffic) 

• New trees 

• Sidewalk repairs 

See more on the Home Zones webpage.  

During last summer’s outreach, the South Park to Georgetown connection was a project that was identified as a high priority for the community. We will continue to prioritize projects that help people in the Duwamish Valley travel safely within their neighborhoods and throughout the area while the bridge is closed and after it opens.