FOLLOWUP: Revised dates for Hiawatha Community Center, Play Area reopenings

(Hiawatha CC last week – photo sent by Al)

The newest projected reopening dates for long-closed Hiawatha Community Center and Play Area projects were just announced by District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka, both for next year. His announcement says Seattle Parks expects that work at the community center will be done in time for a reopening in January 2026, while the play area renovation will be complete in spring 2026. The delays for the community center are explained as a dramatic expansion in project scope:

What began as a stabilization project has evolved into a FULL-SCALE renewal after uncovering significant defects in the original structure – including its infamous heat trap due to poor insulation and outdated infrastructure. The comprehensive upgrades now include seismic retrofitting, modernized kitchens, improved restrooms, renewal of the HVAC utility to an electrified system, and revitalized child-care spaces. The extended timeline was to accommodate a full decarbonization that was made possible by funding that was prioritized by community members during the 2023 Seattle Park District Cycle 2 planning process.

The result will be a greatly enhanced public space, improving the functionality of the building, addressing long-term maintenance concerns, and enhancing the historic aspects of this building. The eventual reopening will mark a significant milestone for Seattle Parks as Hiawatha becomes the City’s first fully electric community center!

Work at the community center finally began a year ago, four years after it was closed; previous explanations for the delay had involved a half-million-dollar grant (about a sixth of the project’s budget).

Meantime, the play area work is expected to go out to bid late this summer, with construction expected to be complete in spring of next year. Councilmember Saka’s emailed announcement (read it in full here) explains, “This new play area had some delays due to changes in the City of Seattle’s stormwater code that required months of additional documentation,” as Parks explained back in January.

P.S. If you have questions about the Hiawatha projects, Parks’ project manager is scheduled to be at the next Admiral Neighborhood Association general gathering, 7 pm Tuesday, May 13, at Admiral Church.

hiawathaneighbor March 24, 2025 (1:30 pm)

I’m for one glad that the appropriate measures and TIME are being taken to ensure that this project is done correctly, rather than it being a rushed crap job to appease whiny neighbors.

Kyle March 24, 2025 (8:06 pm)

I don’t think you’ve been paying too close attention to this one. Contractors uncovering additional work is like 1/20th of the delays. That is fine and glad for the repairs. The rest of the delays are due to Parks changing out about 5-6 project managers and not putting it out to bid for 3+ years. The playground isn’t out of the woods for more Parks delays yet because it still hasn’t gone out to bid.
Jort March 24, 2025 (11:17 pm)

It’s been closed for five years. Five years. Five years.

scrimblescrumble March 24, 2025 (1:42 pm)

Hopefully alongside finishing the center they put up some big “No bikes/skateboards/dogs on the track” signs, perhaps with “That includes your precious kids too, Karen” signs beneath them.

RCW March 24, 2025 (5:10 pm)

Is no bikes on the track in the RCW for the city or parks somewhere or is this just a gripe by runners? I have never heard this one and have seen numerous children using the public playfied to learn to bike on a soft surface, seems like a great use to me. I know no dogs on playfields is a real law that is constantly ignoged, unfortunately, but no biking on playfields/tracks is not one I have heard, can the OP provide a citation somewhere?
- Walkerws March 24, 2025 (6:14 pm)
  
  It’s posted at most tracks and is common etiquette on any track in the world. It is a huge safety hazard.
  - rcw March 25, 2025 (10:21 am)
    
    I’ve seen nothing posted on the Haiwatha track on the subject of bikes and have never heard this gripe or etiquette point before, including when my kids were first learning to bike without training wheels on this track. It is a public multi use playfield for everyone, not just runners, maybe request parks to weigh in and post a sign if they agree on the desired use case.
    - walkerws March 25, 2025 (11:35 am)
      
      Previous posts about Hiawatha track resurfacing on WSB have discussed this issue. Kids swerve randomly on the track on their bikes. A runner passing them from behind is liable to collide when the child suddenly swerves right or left. This can put both child and runner in the hospital. It is indeed a public multi use playfield. This doesn’t mean you can abuse it and create a safety hazard in a way that isn’t tolerated on any track in the US or around the world. That is pure selfishness and main character syndrome on the part of parents and dog owners.
Watertowerjim March 25, 2025 (8:41 am)

The number of dogs (leashed and unleashed) there is unreal. Usually – but not always – well trained and behaved – but that doesn’t excuse it.I am there almost daily and the number of dogs crapping on the field is gross.

Coach AL March 24, 2025 (2:56 pm)

I really miss coaching at Hiawatha and am looking forward to return to the court and the kids!

Erik March 24, 2025 (3:42 pm)

“January 2026”…

Admiral-2009 March 24, 2025 (3:43 pm)

It will be nice when the Community Center is done and open.

One item regarding the outdoor play area: why is the Parks Department removing the existing perfectly good swing’s that the kids really like, I see HS kids using them all the time, with the small ones that based on what I see at other parks are not used nearly as much!

Jeff March 24, 2025 (6:08 pm)

I strongly agree. Kids age out of the newer much worse swings by 6 or 7. The taller ones are fun for everyone.
K March 24, 2025 (6:35 pm)

Hopefully to install a swing set that has more options for kids with disabilities. Every kid loves to swing, and if your child isn’t able to use regular swings, the playground gets to be kind of a bummer.
- bolo March 24, 2025 (8:53 pm)
  
  Sure, but why not have both?

Azimith March 24, 2025 (9:29 pm)

Is it too late to add a public pool at Hiawatha?

No more until you take care of what you have! March 25, 2025 (10:55 am)

Maybe they should think about that after they can keep the SW pool open for more than a couple hours a week. The underutilization of capital is astounding, and they must be getting eaten alive by fixed costs.

Sorry, comment time is over.