Teardown of Seattle’s deteriorating Pier 58, Waterfront Park to begin soon; new park planned

SEATTLE — Crews will begin to tear down Seattle’s Pier 58, also known as Waterfront Park, in 1-2 weeks due to recent movement and continued deterioration.

The removal is expected to be done early next year and will make way for a new park.

The crumbling pier was inspected after Seattle Parks and Recreation closed it to the public on August 6. Engineers recommended the entire pier be removed within 90 days.

Most of the pier will be removed from the water side and barges will be positioned to its west, so impacts to local businesses and the public should be limited.

The fountain will be removed and put into the new pier. Furniture and art will also be salvaged, and the work will include removing concrete structures, decking and framing and taking out the piles supporting the pier.

Seattle’s Office of the Waterfront and Civic Projects said the city has planned to remove the pier and replace it with a new public park pier for years.

The new park will include a playground, public plaza and landscaping as well as views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains. It will also improve salmon habitat, according to the city.

The city said the project is fully funded and construction was planned to start in 2022. Some of the funds will be used to remove the existing pier.

Design of the new Pier 58 and park is underway.

Cox Media Group