The ongoing transformation of Seattle’s waterfront is getting a big boost from prominent philanthropists, as Melinda French Gates, MacKenzie Scott, the Diller-Von Furstenberg Family Foundation, and Expedia Group are pledging $45 million to an effort called Elliott Bay Connections.
Mayor Bruce Harrell’s office and the Port of Seattle announced Wednesday that a public-private partnership — undertaken at zero cost to taxpayers — will help connect, restore and revitalize parks along the Elliott Bay waterfront. The goal is to be done with a new greenway and park improvements by June 2026 when Seattle hosts the World Cup.
The funds from French Gates, Scott and others will go toward construction of a nearly mile long pedestrian and bicycle greenway on the east side of Alaskan Way, replacing abandoned trolley tracks and connecting the new Waterfront Park to the Olympic Sculpture Park (from Pier 62 to Pier 70).
The project will also revitalize the City-managed Myrtle Edwards Park and Centennial Park, which is owned and managed by the Port. The 16 acres of waterfront space will get updated landscaping and visitor amenities and a restored fishing pier.
“Having lived in Seattle for more than three decades, I know we thrive on being so close to nature,” said French Gates, whose gift is personal and not affiliated with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation or her company, Pivotal Ventures, according to The Seattle Times. “Public parks connect us to green space and water, but they also connect us to each other. This network of waterfront parks will be a shared space for everyone and bring our city together.”
French Gates shared images of herself at Myrtle Edwards Park alongside Harrell and other officials in a tweet on Wednesday.
Scott, who has donated billions to a variety of nonprofits and organizations over the past few years, said she is “excited to see community voices from around the city come together to help shape these beautiful, shared community spaces.”
The Diller-von Furstenberg Foundation is led by Expedia chairman Barry Diller and fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg. Expedia moved into a 40-acre, $900 million campus along the waterfront — at the northern end of the proposed project — in 2019.
Harrell also announced Wednesday that Friends of Waterfront Seattle will receive a $10 million challenge grant from the Gates Foundation and an unrestricted $10 million grant from Scott in support of the Campaign for Waterfront Park. This campaign is raising $200 million to finish construction of Waterfront Park.
The public will be invited to give input on the proposed Elliott Bay Connections greenway and desired park improvements starting in the fall. Design concepts will be developed and presented to the public before actual design, permitting and construction.
The City said the Muckleshoot and Suquamish Tribes will be consulted throughout the design and implementation “to ensure inclusion of Native perspective, knowledge, practices and language.”
The Downtown Seattle Association will serve as the implementation partner for the project.
