The First and Battery Portal Porch project in Belltown is nearly complete... and there will be a party to celebrate.
First, some backstory. The new public space reimagines the south entrance to the decommissioned Battery Street Tunnel — which had become vulnerable to earthquake damage and closed to vehicles in 2019. It was filled with concrete, partially from its own demolition.
With the larger Waterfront project in development, the Seattle Department of Transportation and city officials polled Belltown residents on three design concepts for a new public space near the old tunnel.
Using data from the survey, the 1,800-sqft space will include Belltown residents’ preferences like:
- Solar-powered lights
- Seating with graffiti-resistant surfaces
- Round planters
Check out the new outdoor public space when it opens on Friday, Aug. 25 at 3 p.m. There will be a soirée with treats from Shug’s Soda Fountain , plus the chance to meet with city officials + community organizers.