New plan for city’s SW Manning parcel near The Bridge

There’s word of a breakthrough in West Seattle-residing City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen‘s work on the issue of what to do about a city-owned parcel at SW Manning/Admiral Way near The Bridge that’s best known for its sequoia tree, which has a 4-foot-diameter trunk:

The 14,000-square-foot site was originally purchased in 1961 as part of the West Seattle Bridge right-of-way; several years ago, it was targeted for potential sale as surplus property, but neighbors and community activists expressed concern, saying it still had potential for public use. Now, there’s a plan in the works to not only keep it off the market, but to have it transferred to the Parks Department, which wasn’t interested in the site in years past, but is now. That “public involvement plan” is on the agenda next Tuesday morning for the council’s Parks Committee, which Rasmussen chairs; here’s what will be proposed as a next step:

A) A public meeting should be scheduled in the vicinity of the property. Notice of the meeting will be provided to all citizens who have previously submitted comments, as well as property owners and residents living within a 1200-foot radius of PMA No. 4273, community organizations, and others who might be interested.

B) The meeting will consider uses put forward by the community, including but not limited to the following: green space, park area, sculpture garden, off-leash area, mini skate park, flower garden, or P-patch. The proposed transfer of the property to the Department of Parks and Recreation will also be discussed. Other issues may include concerns about the tall Sequoia tree located in the northeast section of the property, the sloping nature of the parcel, and the pace of residential development in the neighborhood.

Rasmussen’s committee meets at 9:30 am Tuesday at City Hall downtown; if you can’t be there in person, you can watch live on cable channel 21 or online via Seattle Channel.

10 Replies to "New plan for city's SW Manning parcel near The Bridge"

  • Meghan March 22, 2009 (7:51 am)

    This is great news. Pocket parks are one of the very best investments the city can make. And they don’t need to be prohibitively expensive. A few benches and some open space is really all people need to enjoy a small park.

  • Neighbor March 22, 2009 (11:52 am)

    As a neighbor to this property I’m thrilled to see this space become a public park area rather than a large clump of blackberries. Thanks for the post and ongoing coverage of this issue.

  • KSJ March 22, 2009 (6:34 pm)

    Love the ideas for uses – having an actively used park in that location would be really cool!

  • Megan March 22, 2009 (7:45 pm)

    I think that all the options are fabulous. I would especially love a space to sip a mole latte from the Shack while I walk the dog!

  • RobertSeattle March 23, 2009 (12:02 pm)

    I bet we are just 18 public meetings, 2 votes, and 4 lawsuits away from the new park! (In 2017)

    :-)

  • Garden_nymph March 23, 2009 (3:52 pm)

    What a lovely tree; a park is a great idea!

  • Steve March 23, 2009 (9:02 pm)

    Maybe a sculpture?
    We could have something unique to West Seattle! I love West Seattle, but I cannot think of any object i.e. boat, troll, hat and boots, rocket etc. that would say Welcome to West Seattle! Any ideas?

  • Peter March 23, 2009 (11:08 pm)

    I see us in West Seattle as gaurdians of the port..(think the lookout up on Admiral Way).
    Perhaps something along that vein.

    The idea of a park is terrific, even if it’s just a grassy knoll..:)

  • Matt March 24, 2009 (7:09 am)

    Yes, yes, yes, to the park, but something low maintenance and vandal proof (or as vandal proof as possible).

  • Virginia March 30, 2009 (4:11 pm)

    I think it should have a bench or two and easy care grounds but at night it should come alive with a lighting sculpture of beams of neon colored lights shooting straight up.
    Cool Huh!

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