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Restrooms and Accessibility Upgrades
Kubota Garden’s first permanent restroom, located near the Terrace Overlook is now complete. The delays for opening the restroom were due to a part for the sewer pump that was on backorder since early 2022.
The restroom includes two gender-neutral restrooms and a storage room. The design of the structure, including the roofing and stucco finish, echoes the ornamental wall surrounding the main entry gate. The overall form and colors fit with the Garden’s natural setting. There will be an improved accessible pathway from the parking lot to the Terrace Overlook and an accessible picnic area is complete with new picnic tables and a visual connection to the surrounding garden. Many thanks to the design and management team including Hoshide Wanzer Architects, Jones & Jones, Seattle Parks and Recreation project manager Morteza Behrooz, and general contractors Optimus Construction. Funding: The project was funded by state grants from the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Project ($500,000), Land and Water Conservation fund ($500,000), Seattle Park District Major Projects Challenge Fund ($100,000), with Kubota Garden Foundation providing additional funding and volunteer labor. |
Storm Water Study and the Parking Lot Expansion
Stormwater Study and Parking Lot Expansion
The results of 55th Avenue South and Kubota Garden Stormwater Study, completed in 2020, continue to inform the design of improvements for the parking lot expansion and improvements on 55th Avenue S. More information about the design of those areas can be found below. Thank you to King County WaterWorks for the funding for this important study which is guiding so much of our work.
Parking Lot Expansion and Gathering Plaza
The design of the parking lot expansion continues to evolve with goals to increase parking capacity, improve circulation and pedestrian experience, create a beautiful arrival point for the Garden and mitigate storm water impacts. The Gathering Plaza at the north end of the parking lot will provide a clear entry point to the Garden, a small kiosk with information about the Garden and a space for programming including a covered space for Garden Greeters and Tour Guides.
City council voted this fall to designate funding from the Metropolitan Park District to continue the design process for the parking lot expansion and the gathering plaza. Thank you to Councilmember Morales for your leadership to secure this funding. Kubota Garden Foundation and Seattle Parks and Recreation continue to strategize on funding for the construction of these improvements.
The Garden Committee and Seattle Parks and Recreation will review the next design iteration in January and early February, 2023.
Design: 2023
Construction: To be determined, based on funding
Project Manager: Jonathan Pagán, jonathan.pagan@seattle.gov
The results of 55th Avenue South and Kubota Garden Stormwater Study, completed in 2020, continue to inform the design of improvements for the parking lot expansion and improvements on 55th Avenue S. More information about the design of those areas can be found below. Thank you to King County WaterWorks for the funding for this important study which is guiding so much of our work.
Parking Lot Expansion and Gathering Plaza
The design of the parking lot expansion continues to evolve with goals to increase parking capacity, improve circulation and pedestrian experience, create a beautiful arrival point for the Garden and mitigate storm water impacts. The Gathering Plaza at the north end of the parking lot will provide a clear entry point to the Garden, a small kiosk with information about the Garden and a space for programming including a covered space for Garden Greeters and Tour Guides.
City council voted this fall to designate funding from the Metropolitan Park District to continue the design process for the parking lot expansion and the gathering plaza. Thank you to Councilmember Morales for your leadership to secure this funding. Kubota Garden Foundation and Seattle Parks and Recreation continue to strategize on funding for the construction of these improvements.
The Garden Committee and Seattle Parks and Recreation will review the next design iteration in January and early February, 2023.
Design: 2023
Construction: To be determined, based on funding
Project Manager: Jonathan Pagán, jonathan.pagan@seattle.gov
55th Avenue South Street Improvements
In November, 2022, the Oversight Committee for the Levy to Move Seattle selected 55th Ave S Sidewalk for the 2022-2024 cycle of the Neighborhood Street Fund (NSF). A total of $800,000 was awarded to build a new sidewalk and green stormwater infrastructure along 55th Ave S. The project will be designed in 2023 and construction is planed for 2024. The foundation will continue to work closely with SDOT and SPU on these much-needed improvements.
For more information about past and upcoming projects at Kubota Garden, check the Seattle Parks & Recreation website at Kubota Garden Improvements - Parks | seattle.gov.