Contractor A-1 Landscaping & Construction Mobilizes Aug. 13
Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is happy to announce that we’ve issued the Notice to Proceed to A-1 Landscaping and Construction for the Garfield Super Block (GSB) project. They will mobilize on site and stage at the Garfield Community Center parking area at 2323 E. Cherry Street in Seattle’s Central Area.
This community-initiated renovation project addresses the unfinished portion of the 2005 Garfield Super Block Master Plan by implementing improvements that reflect the community-driven site plan and vision. Planned improvements include a 0.34-mile accessible loop path (promenade) around the playfields, earthwork and footings for future artwork, tree protection, and replacement of the playfield turf. The scope also includes demolition of the existing restroom building and other site features, construction of a new restroom facility, renovation of the play area, and installation of a multi-use sport court for tennis and basketball. A climate-adaptive garden will also be added, and existing on-site memorial boulder will be removed and reinstalled.
The project will also enhance access to multi-generational recreation across the Garfield Super Block, which includes the Garfield Community Center, Medgar Evers Pool, tennis courts, Garfield Playfield and its historic ball fields, the Teen Life Center, the Quincy Jones Performing Arts Center, and Garfield High School’s track and field facilities.
This $11 million project is truly a public and private effort made possible through major contributions from the City of Seattle and the Seattle Metropolitan Park District fund ($2.83 million), the National Park Service and Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office ($2.245 million), Washington State Department of Commerce ($2.95 Million), King County ($1 million), Seattle Public Schools ($500,000). This transformative investment would not be possible without the initiative of the community and the generous support of the Garfield Super Block Coalition and the many individual private donations. Thank you to the Seattle Parks Foundation for their partnership on this project and fiscal sponsorship.
Located in the heart of Seattle’s Central Area, GSB serves as the community’s central gathering place and a historic citywide destination. Known to some as “Little City Hall”, the space pulsates with a rich history of events, people, and moments, which continues today. The improvements will ensure the Garfield Super Block project continues to serve as a welcoming, accessible, and culturally rich gathering place for current and future generations while honoring the deep history and diverse heritage of the Central Area.
As part of this community-led project, GSB Coalition formed an art team to help develop and implement an arts masterplan for the site. The goal was to integrate art throughout the park that reflects the cultural diversity and history of Seattle’s Central Area. The art works features two components including the seven “Pillars of Promise,” created by an artist from each of the seven cultural groups and “Reforesting the Central Area,” which will feature bronze metal inlays.
SPR is also excited to share, that the baseball (G1) infield in the southwest corner of the Garfield Playfield will undergo replacement of its existing synthetic turf as it is at the end of its life cycle. A new synthetic softball (G3) infield in the northeast corner will be constructed later in 2026 through a separate bidding process. By sequencing this work with the GSB construction, SPR is able to reduce impacts from field closures.
For more information, please visit https://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/projects/garfield-super-block-renovation for more information or contact Morteza Behrooz, Project Manager at Morteza.behrooz@seattle.gov.