City of Seattle and Belltown community leaders came together to celebrate the completion of improvements on Bell St. From left to right: Cascade Bicycle Club Executive Director Lee Lambert, Belltown Business Owner Amy Tipton, Belltown United Board Member Jon Kiehnau, Seattle Mayor Katie B. Wilson, Acting SDOT Director Angela Brady and Councilmember Bob Kettle. Photo: Tim Durkan, City of Seattle Editor’s Note: This is a blog post from the Waterfront Seattle Program. The Waterfront Seattle Program is a collaboration between the Office of the Waterfront, Civic Projects and Sound Transit, and other Seattle departments including the Mayor’s Office, the Seattle Department of Transportation, Planning and Community Development, Seattle Center and Parks and Recreation.
On Monday, March 30, Mayor Katie Wilson, the City of Seattle’s Office of the Waterfront, and community leaders were joined by community members, project partners and City staff to celebrate the completion of the Bell Street Improvements project. This project is one of the final elements of the Waterfront Seattle program and enhances connections between Belltown and Waterfront Park.
“This project completes a key connection from downtown to the waterfront, making it easier for residents and visitors to move through these spaces and enjoy them,” said Mayor Katie B. Wilson.
“With improved access for people walking, biking and rolling, we’re continuing to build a downtown that is connected, welcoming and centered around people.”
The improved connections on Bell St, between Elliott and 1st avenues, were designed with feedback from over 850 community members.
Feedback emphasized the need to prioritize infrastructure improvements for people walking, rolling, and biking, including adding a protected bicycle lane and improving pedestrian spaces for accessibility and activation purposes. There were also requests for a design element that would draw visitors into Belltown.
“This is a milestone moment for the City, completing our last project after close to two decades of visioning, planning and construction work to transform our Seattle waterfront,” said Angela Brady, Acting Director of the Seattle Department of Transportation.
“This new connection between Belltown and Waterfront Park may be modest in size, but it plays a powerful role in linking neighborhoods and inviting residents to create lasting memories and experiences in Belltown and on the waterfront. We are grateful to the Belltown community and our partners for their close collaboration and support.”
This segment of Bell St now has a two-way protected bike lane, widened sidewalks and pedestrian amenities including a congregation of boulders at the corner of Bell St and Western Ave that provide a space for community members to gather and relax.
A salvaged sign bridge from the Alaskan Way Viaduct was installed arching over Bell St, east of the Western Ave intersection, which is illuminated during hours of darkness. This sign bridge, the only remaining physical marker of Alaskan Way Viaduct, not only serves as a piece of Seattle history but also as a gateway into the neighborhood.
Some work remains to be completed in the planting areas and can be done with minimal impacts to the neighborhood, so don’t be surprised if you see some members of our team in this area again soon!
Originally fabricated and installed on the Alaskan Way Viaduct in the 1950s, the sign bridge remained there until the viaduct was closed to vehicles and demolished in early 2019. The sign bridge was carefully removed and restored for its new home in the Belltown neighborhood.
The historic color of the structure and the ornate details were maintained to keep its original character. We are working with the Belltown community to develop signage for the structure that could display a bit of local art and history. We are excited about the idea of using a unique part of Seattle’s transportation history as a way to welcome people to Belltown for many years to come.
Construction of the Bell St Improvements project began in 2025 and it is the last substantial project to be completed as part of the Waterfront Seattle Program, with just some finishing touches and one remaining artwork by the MTK Matriarchs remaining to be installed.
New and on the way
Just this week, crews finished the the Yesler Way protected bike lane, connecting the new waterfront bike lanes to the rest of the downtown bike network. It’s a project that also has connections to Seattle’s fascinating history. Watch a video about the Yesler Way project here.
Additional pedestrian and bike friendly improvements that connect to the enhanced pedestrian and bike pathways built as part of the Waterfront Seattle Program are in the works.
Last week SDOT held the first public information session about upcoming plans to pave, modernize, and improve mobility on both Elliott and Western avenues between Bell and Thomas streets.
Construction on the Belltown to Seattle Center Connection Project will be starting soon and is anticipated to be completed this June.
To learn more about what is going on in the park, please visit the Friends of Waterfront Park website.