Central performance pavilion, covered gathering area, and visitor kiosk to serve users of Occidental Square in the heart of Pioneer Square.
Occidental Square has been transformed into the lively heart of the Pioneer Square neighborhood, with colorful café seating, new planters, artwork, ping-pong tables and musical performances. The activation of the park is the result of five years of investment in staffing, programming, maintenance, and security. What was once a barely visited public space, that felt unwelcoming and even unsafe to many, is now a thriving gathering place for all. The park’s newfound popularity and high attendance at regular free events has inspired donors to invest in a graceful new wood and glass pavilion.
Like other parks in Seattle’s Downtown, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Occidental Square’s activation and programming levels. While the colorful café seating, ping-pong tables, and musical performances are paused for the near future, Occidental Square will return to its previous vibrancy once it is safe for the community to safely return to public spaces.
The many performances and exhibitions that have been previously spread out in temporary tents in the park will soon largely be accommodated in a beautifully designed pavilion paid for entirely by private-sector contributions. Led by general contractor Schuchart, construction of the Pavilion is scheduled to begin in the first week of July 2020 in Occidental Square located at 117 S Washington St.
The Pavilion, designed by Olson Kundig Architects, will replace the existing kiosk at the south end of the square, with a larger information and concierge center for enhanced park activation. The new wood and glass pavilion is designed with a glass roof that can serve as an outdoor classroom, a stage, a dining area and most importantly a covered space for use by the public. The project construction is led by Schuchart Corporation and completion of the Pavilion is expected to be celebrated with the community in the Fall.
During construction we will follow guidance from Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC), Washington State Department of Health (DOH), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding COVID-19. The contractor overseeing this jobsite will be diligently managing a Safety Plan that includes precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Funding for this park project has been provided by donors to Seattle Parks Foundation in partnership with the Alliance for Pioneer Square. Thank you to the Seattle Parks Foundation, the Downtown Seattle Association and Seattle Parks and Recreation for their support of this project.
For more information about the project please visit https://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/occidental-square-park-projects or contact Garrett Farrell at garrett.farrell@seattle.gov or 206-233-7921.