FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 3/17/2015
Council to Authorize Pike Place Market Expansion to the Waterfront
SEATTLE – A Council committee unanimously approved an agreement to expand the Pike Place Market yesterday, which will connect the current Pike Place Market to the Seattle downtown central waterfront. The expanded space, called the Pike Place Market MarketFront, will provide more stalls for farmers and artists, 300 additional below-grade, short-term parking spaces, 40 low-income apartments for senior housing, 30,000 square feet of public open space, and other amenities.
The expansion will also provide open public pathways to lead pedestrians between the Pike Place Market and the Seattle Aquarium once the Alaskan Way Viaduct is torn down. Public space will be created for people to appreciate views of the Puget Sound and downtown Seattle.
“Expanding the Pike Place Market, the first addition in 40 years, is a significant milestone for the waterfront,” said Councilmember Jean Godden. “From increased public housing to new public access and some of the best views in the City, this is a win for Seattle.”
“I am delighted that we all will be able to connect from Downtown directly to the Waterfront via one of my favorite places in the world – Pike Place Market,” said Councilmember Sally Bagshaw. “Imagine the possibilities!”
“I love that the Pike Place Market will be expanding its mission through new vendor space and housing,” said Councilmember Sally J. Clark. “This is the last piece of developing the Pike Place Market and the first piece of developing Seattle’s future waterfront.”
MarketFront will be located on a .75-acre surface parking lot on Western Avenue, just south of Victor Steinbrueck Park. The agreement transfers ownership of the parcel of land from the City to the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority and imposes conditions on the site.
According to the Pike Place Market’s website, “project architects have incorporated simple and utilitarian materials including heavy timber, galvanized steel and concrete, to create a familiar Market backdrop, with fresh expressions of Pacific Northwest industrial toughness to retain the character of the Market.”
The $73 million expansion is paid for, in part, by State parking mitigation funds as a result of the waterfront redevelopment, funds from the City of Seattle, private fundraising, grants, tax credits, and bonds. Construction is scheduled to begin as early as May and finish in late 2016.
The Council’s Central Waterfront, Seawall, and Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program Select Committee approved the agreement by a vote of 8-0 on Monday, March 16. Full Council is expected to vote on the legislation Monday, March 23 at 2 p.m.
More information, including renderings and designs of MarketFront, are available on the Pike Place Market’s website.
# # #
Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast live on Seattle Channel 21, HD Channels 321 Comcast, 721 Wave and on the City Council’s website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.