Concepts for Proposed Park and Woonerf at 12th and James Ct.
Three Concepts for Park and WoonerfIn the first week of September the Seattle Parks Dept. demolished the small (unoccupied) building at 12th and James Ct. and leveled the terrain in preparation for the future development of a new city park at that location, the 12th Avenue Neighborhood Gathering Place. Future work on the design and development of the park awaits funding. However, several conceptual plans have been prepared by the landscape designer working for Hewitt Architects on the adjacent mixed use (student housing and retail) development on property owned by Seattle University. The concept includes turning the one-block James Ct. into a “non-traditional” street or woonerf. The street would, in effect, extend the park by making the public right of way, street and sidewalk, into a softer, greener place more welcoming to non-vehicle use. In early 2009, after funding becomes available, further public meetings will be held to develop the park and woonerf.
The conceptual plans presented to the Squire Park Community Council board by Hewitt earlier this year: