There was great turnout at the 12th Avenue Stewardship Committee meeting last week. Attendees unanimously supported starting up the redevelopment of the 12th Avenue Gathering Place Park at E James Court and 12th Avenue. The acquisition of the park was authorized by the 2005 Pro Parks Levy. The development of the park had previously been tied to the Seattle University project to the north, which is currently stalled due to market conditions. (Michael Kerns from SU Facilities stated at the meeting that it would be at least a year before that project starts up again.) Squire Park Community Council has previously posted here about the three designs that Hewitt Architects produced for the park, in conjunction with the SU project.

As a result of the community’s desire to see the park finished, Donald Harris of Parks said that a project manager would be assigned soon to begin the process of working with the community on a preferred design for the space. Concerns were raised at the meeting about whether the park would actually be used. Community members stated a desire for the park to be programed with some space and/or activity that would bring positive uses to the new gathering space.

If you are interested in working on this project with the Parks Department, please post here to let us know!