Hello WASLA Members,
I want to acknowledge recent developments at Gas Works Park that many of you have likely seen. The City has issued a permit for the partial removal of elements of the historic towers, citing an “imminent safety threat.” Reporting indicates this action is occurring in the context of legal and liability pressures tied to past fatal incidents at the site.
Gas Works Park is a designated Seattle Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is widely recognized as one of the most significant works of landscape architecture in the Pacific Northwest. Designed by Richard Haag, the park is a pioneering example of industrial landscape reuse and remains a defining feature of Lake Union and the Seattle skyline. The preserved gasification towers and associated industrial structures are central, character-defining elements of both the park and its cultural identity, representing an important part of the history of Seattle and Washington State.
Under an “imminent safety threat” determination, work can proceed on an expedited basis outside of the typical review pathway that landmarked sites often undergo. This situation highlights the complex balance between public safety, legal risk, and the long-term stewardship of historically significant landscapes, and raises important questions about process, timing, and the stewardship of Gas Works Park moving forward.
This is not a simple issue, and it reflects the broader challenges of managing historic public spaces where public access, risk, and cultural significance all intersect. I encourage you to stay informed and engage through City processes as more information becomes available. Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Landmarks Preservation Board is where public input is typically received.
The WASLA Board is interested in hearing from members. If you have thoughts, questions, or perspectives you’d like to share about the plans for Gas Works Park, please don’t hesitate to reach out to [email protected]. Your comments help us better understand the range of views within our professional community. If you want to communicate directly with Seattle Parks and Recreation, questions can be sent to [email protected], as per the Construction Notice that is currently hung on the chain-link fence surrounding the Gas Works towers.
As always, thank you for your continued work and engagement in shaping and stewarding the land and the places we care about. We hope to see many of you next week at the WASLA Conference in Tacoma.
Best regards,
Mike Faulkner
