Seattle Parks and Recreation(SPR) and our partner United Indians of All Tribes(UIATF) are happy to announce we have awarded the construction contract for the Northwest Native Canoe Center Carving House to Western Ventures Construction. Western Ventures will mobilize on the southwest corner of Lake Union Park, 900 Westlake Ave. N. on July 14 to begin construction. They will work to minimize the impact to park, trail and water visitors. Thank you in advance to the South Lake Union community for their patience and cooperation as we build this new asset.
The community-initiated project will celebrate the canoe culture that is dominant among the Pacific Northwest coastal tribes. The 1700 square-foot structure with a green roof will provide a welcoming space to carve, store, and launch canoes and educated visitors about Coast Salish canoe culture. The facility will support canoe-building classes, carving demonstrations, Native American storytelling, and job training for youth. Building in South Lake Union requires extra attention associated with a variety of complex environmental conditions. Western Ventures will be installing auger cast piles in late summer 2025 and anticipate completing the project in late 2026.
The Northwest Native Canoe Center is part of the Lake Union Park Master Plan. The budget for the project is $5.8 million. SPR provided initial funding for the community driving project through the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy Opportunity Fund. This provided funding to hire Jones & Jones Architects to design the project. Additional funding comes from Seattle Parks and Recreation, King County grants, Landscape Conservation and Local Infrastructure Program (LCLIP), State of Washington Department of Commerce Grants, and Federal Community Project HUD Grant.
For more information about the project please visit, https://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/projects/northwest-native-canoe-center or contact Trae Yang at Trea.Yang2@seattle.gov.
