With removal of Pier 58 complete, Seattle continues plan for new park and playground

SEATTLE — The removal of Seattle’s crumbling Pier 58 has been completed by the city’s Office of the Waterfront and Civic Projects, making room for a new pier park and playground.

The pier removal was finished in February, but adjacent work to reinstall and reopen the pedestrian walkway was finished in April.

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The downtown Waterfront Park was closed last August after engineers discovered the pier had significantly shifted. Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan then approved the emergency dismantling of the pier, and work to remove it began in September.

The pier was primarily removed from the water side by barge and crane. During the removal, two construction workers were hurt and fell into Puget Sound when about 20% of the rotting pier collapsed. The city released video showing the pier collapse.

The city said about 48,000 square feet of pier deck and concrete structures were removed, along with about 340 timber and steel support piles. A small number of support piles will remain in place but will be removed when the new pier is built.

The new Pier 58 will feature a playground, and a new restroom and concierge space next to the promenade will serve visitors. There will also be tables and an elevated seating area where people can see scenic views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains. A large lawn and trees, and an event space that can be used for concerts, outdoor movies, and other events is also part of the design.

An artist from the Puyallup tribe will create three welcome figures on the park promenade near the pier.

The city says the new pier was also designed to improve the salmon habitat and migration corridor.

If you’re wondering what happened to the fountain at the previous park, it will be reinstalled in the new park. Its foundation is currently undergoing restoration, but the fountain is included in the new park design.

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The design for the rebuilt pier is expected to be 90% complete by this summer. Construction is scheduled to start late next year and will take about two years to finish.

Learn more about the new Pier 58 at waterfrontseattle.org.