Hiawatha Playfield construction update: Another delay

One year ago tomorrow, we covered a public meeting about Hiawatha Playfield improvements, at the adjacent community center. In the report we subsequently published, we noted that the city expected construction to be complete this fall. This past June, Parks sent an update saying work would be done by March 2009. But late today, we got an update from the Parks Department, which is now talking about construction completion by September of next year, almost 7 years after the first public meeting on the project:

Seattle Parks and Recreation completed the planning process for the Hiawatha Playfield lighting renovation, and is ready to move forward with construction pending review by Seattle City Council. The Council will review the land use permits on February 11, 2009.

Pending approval by Council, the project will go out to bid mid-spring 2009 with completion of construction by September 2009.

In July 2008 Parks submitted the Type V Master Use Permit (MUP) Application to the Department of Planning and Development to allow the replacement of the field light poles at Hiawatha Playfield with up to 90 feet. The track and athletic field is currently illuminated with 10 light poles ranging in height from 55 to 84 feet. The replacement lighting system is designed to limit spill light and glare by raising the floodlight mounting heights from the code maximum of 30 feet to a height of 70 to 90 feet.

The funding, from Parks major maintenance funds, Seattle School District, and King County provides $3.6 million for planning, design, and construction of the sportsfield improvements.

Ted Holden from Seattle Parks and Recreation is the project manager for the renovation. Additional information on the project can be found on http://www.seattle.gov/parks/maintenance/HiawathaPlayfield.htm or by contacting Ted Holden at ted.holden@seattle.gov

We’ll check first thing next week (since offices are closed now) to find out what caused the additional half-year delay.

Tim McMonigle December 12, 2008 (9:03 pm)

Hi Tracy…I should have updated you on this one too. I’ve been in communication with Ted Holden (PM), and he wrote this to me a couple months ago. Then I confirmed it again last week:

The project includes both the field surface renovation and new field lights. Because the new lights need to be higher than the existing (better light on the field, less spill light into the community) it requires a Type 5 permit that is approved by City Council. The Council will hear the permit application in early December. Parks has made the decision to hold off going to bid with the project until it can all be built simultaneously. We shall go out to bid in January, open bids in February, hopefully issue the Notice-to-Proceed by the end of March and have the entire project complete by the first of August for West Seattle Highschool Football.