The Seattle City Council Transportation & Utilities Committee voted today to approve the transfer of the unused Georgetown Flume site. In doing so, a vacant property takes a step toward a new life in service to the Georgetown and South Park communities. This decision allows Seattle City Light to transfer ownership of the western portion of the property to Seattle Department of Transportation while Seattle Parks and Recreation receives the eastern portion in exchange for a street vacation.
“This is a win-win situation—the street vacation allows City Light to meet our operational needs at the South Service Center while the land we’re transferring will support these long sought-after improvements for the Georgetown and South Park communities,” said Debra Smith, General Manager and CEO of Seattle City Light. “Today’s vote wouldn’t have been possible without the cooperation from our fellow City departments, support from City Council, and robust community involvement.”
Historically, the Georgetown Flume conveyed water from City Light’s Georgetown Steam Plant to the Duwamish River. The site ceased operations more than 40 years ago and has since been unused. Completing this project is just one of City Light’s main commitments in the City of Seattle’s Duwamish Valley Action Plan. The transfer also fulfills the public benefit requirement for City Light obtaining a street vacation to expand its South Service Center yard in the nearby SoDo neighborhood.
“This environmental infrastructure project is an amazing example of multiple departments under Mayor Durkan’s leadership as well as three branches of government working collaboratively to implement an ambitious vision for a lengthy pedestrian and bike pathway, additional tree canopy, and a dog park for neighborhoods most in need of such investments,” said Councilmember Alex Pedersen, Chair of the Transportation & Utilities Committee, who shepherded multiple pieces of legislation for the complex project culminating with Council Bill 120230. “I have appreciated working collaboratively with both Councilmembers Lisa Herbold and Tammy Morales whose districts will most directly benefit from this project – as well as with all my Council colleagues, because success required key investments from our City budget.”
Planned improvements for the Flume site include a trail connector to be part of the Georgetown to South Park Connection project. Work on the new walking and biking connection is expected to start in Summer 2022 with an anticipated opening in 2023. The trail will run along the west edge of a new off-leash area that is highly desired by Flume neighbors. Construction is slated to begin in Spring 2022 with the off-leash expected to open in winter 2022-2023.
City Light wishes to recognize the Georgetown Open Space Committee, Councilmember Tammy Morales, and Transportation & Utilities Committee Chair Alex Pedersen along with our partners, Seattle Department of Transportation and Seattle Parks and Recreation. We extend our thanks and appreciation to all involved for helping to bring this project to fruition.