Seattle's Elliott Bay waterfront has been significantly transformed with the completion of the Elliott Bay Connections project. The renovation has upgraded the outdoor space along the waterfront, making it a more welcoming destination for people to walk, bike, and spend time outdoors.
The project added 75,000 new plants and shrubs to the area, dramatically improving the vegetation throughout the waterfront stretch. The new plant life covers grounds that visitors previously described as neglected and sparse.
A new amenities building has been constructed as part of the project. A cafe is forthcoming in the space, giving visitors a stop point during walks or rides along the water.
Before the renovation, the park area along Elliott Bay existed but was in a run-down condition, with dead grass and dead trees throughout. The completed project has replaced that with a fully refreshed landscape open to the public.
New bike paths and walking paths are now part of the renovated waterfront, giving cyclists and pedestrians clear, dedicated routes along Elliott Bay. The additions make the area more accessible and more varied in its offerings for different types of visitors.
Funding for the Elliott Bay Connections project came from private donors. The City of Seattle worked alongside the Downtown Seattle Association to bring the project together and complete the transformation of one of the city's central public spaces.