What’s Happening with the South Leschi Construction Project?

After years of planning, construction on the South Leschi Moorage Improvement Project is expected to begin after Labor Day. The project, led by Seattle Parks and Recreation, will replace the aging dock and improve accessibility, helping preserve this important community asset for years to come.

Construction was originally scheduled to begin in early May but was postponed in response to concerns raised by nearby businesses about the impact on their busy summer season. Since then, Parks has continued meeting with local businesses, community representatives, and City Council President Joy Hollingsworth's office to identify additional ways to minimize construction impacts while keeping the project moving forward.

At a recent meeting, Parks staff outlined which aspects of the project are fixed due to engineering, permitting, and construction requirements, as well as the areas where adjustments could be made. Discussions focused on parking, pedestrian access, construction hours, and other ways to reduce impacts on nearby businesses during the approximately three-month construction period.

In response to concerns raised by businesses, construction was shifted to begin after Labor Day and will include nighttime work to help lessen daytime impacts on businesses. Parks staff noted these changes have extended the construction schedule as well as the length of time it will take to complete the project. The change to fall and the nighttime work will also likely lead to further delays with weather challenges such as the impact on asphalting and the need for dewatering. Some of the construction cannot be completed in rain. Delayed construction has already significantly increased project costs, not including additional expenses associated with revised work hours and scheduling changes.

To mitigate the impact to residents, the contractor will be required to follow extensive noise mitigation measures, including limiting overnight noise, reducing equipment impacts where possible, minimizing truck idling, and providing advance notice to nearby residents before construction begins.

Nearby businesses expressed concern about the temporary closure of the adjacent parking lot during construction. The lot is owned by Parks and was built to serve park visitors. While state law does not allow the use of park parking for business purposes, Parks has, for decades, allowed customers of nearby businesses to use the lot to support the neighborhood business district. Parks said it will continue working to minimize impacts on local businesses while also meeting project requirements, maintaining public access, and completing the long-planned improvements safely.

Businesses asked whether the parking lot could remain open by covering construction trenches with steel plates at the end of each workday. Parks staff explained that the project requires multiple utility trenches throughout the parking lot, making that approach infeasible from both a construction and safety standpoint.

The South Leschi Moorage has long been a valued neighborhood destination, serving boaters, paddlers, park visitors, and the surrounding community. While construction will bring temporary inconveniences, the completed improvements will provide a safer, more accessible waterfront for everyone who enjoys this special part of Leschi.

Please Support Our Local Businesses

Construction projects can be challenging for everyone involved. During the construction period, we encourage neighbors to continue supporting BluWater Bistro, Leschi Market, and other nearby businesses. Your continued patronage will help these valued local businesses remain strong while the neighborhood works through this temporary disruption together.

Once Parks has received a final plan of construction sequencing and parking changes, they will send updated plans and diagrams to relevant stakeholders including the Leschi Community Council. We will continue sharing project updates as construction progresses.

What to Expect

• Construction begins after Labor Day

• Work is expected to last approximately three months

• Some parking and access changes are expected during construction

• Nighttime work will be used to reduce daytime impacts on nearby businesses

• The contractor must follow noise mitigation requirements

• The Leschi Community Council will continue to share project updates

~Nikola Davidson