Seattle mayor says start date for seawall project only tentative

BY KIRO Radio Staff  on December 4, 2012 @ 4:55 pm (Updated: 5:32 pm - 12/4/12 )

Some waterfront businesses have been angry about plans to start construction of Seattle's central seawall in September, when tourists are still around.

Now, Mayor Mike McGinn is softening, saying that was only a tentative start date.

"There are competing demands. We'll sit down with the general contractor, we'll listen to all of those issues," said McGinn at a news conference Tuesday.

McGinn said after they are done going through drafts for the seawall plans they will decide on the best timelines for the project.

Some business owners want construction on the $300 million seawall delayed.

McGinn has said the city can't do construction in the waters of Elliot Bay between Feb. 15 and Aug. 1 because of juvenile salmon migration.

Construction was slated to begin in fall of 2013 and take approximately seven years. But McGinn said the first phase has to be completed by 2016, in time for the planned removal of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. He said the city will work in segments so that only certain parts of the waterfront will be disrupted at any given time.

"The primary thing is we need to build the seawall within the budget and the schedule allotted and we will do everything we can to mitigate the effects on businesses within that construction schedule," McGinn said in a previous interview with Ross & Burbank.

In November, voters approved a $290 million, 30-year bond measure to pay to rebuild the seawall.

MyNorthwest.com's Josh Kerns contributed to this report.

KIRO Radio Staff, Staff report
Straight from the newsdesk.
More Local News
Top Stories

  • Silicon Sound
    We have more high-paying high-tech jobs than we can fill

  • Heartstopping
    Daredevils post breathtaking pictures atop Seattle landmarks

  • Snowy Passes
    Escape cold Seattle; go skiing at Crystal Mountain
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (2)


  • Add A Comment

  • longwayhome wrote...
    It' going to be built!
    December 4, 2012 7:08 pm
    Are the people of Seattle going to create another boondoggle like they did with the Sea-Tac project? 10 years late because of lawsuits, 150 million $ over budget because of republicans stalling? Let's not go through this again, do the project, get on with our lives and enjoy the boost to our economy. Many construction jobs, many vendors selling their products to make the project happen.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • murr wrote...
    He has yet to line up all his back door deals ?? Give him time ??
    December 5, 2012 3:12 am
    His outside intrests, and future are being planned. He needs more time to line up his personel ducks.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }