New streateries and parklets popping up in Seattle neighborhoods
Mon, 04/20/2015
Nine streateries and three new parklets are coming soon to Seattle. In an exciting start for the new Streatery Pilot Program, nine local businesses will install a streatery near their establishments. They will be joined by three new parklets being sponsored by community and business groups.
Both the parklet and streatery programs let communities convert a small number of on-street parking spaces into usable public space. Streateries are like parklets except the sponsoring restaurant or bar can operate the space as a sidewalk café, providing space exclusively for their customers during their open hours of business. When the bar or restaurant is closed, the space will function as a parklet, open to everyone.
“The addition of these parklets and streateries will add to our city’s vibrant and active street scene,” said Mayor Ed Murray. “We look forward to seeing more of these community gathering spots that support neighborhood businesses throughout the city.”
Three of the projects submitted will convert existing parklets to streateries—including Seattle’s first parklet at the Montana Bar on Capitol Hill. The others will create their spaces from scratch. Projects approved for 2015 are:
New Streateries:
Elysian Bar (converting a portion of the existing Chromer Parklet to a streatery), 1516 2nd Ave
Montana Bar (converting existing parklet to a streatery), 1506 E Olive Way
Comet Tavern and Lost Lake Lounge (converting existing parklet to a streatery), 10th Ave and Pike St
Stoneburner, 5214 Ballard Ave NW
Mamnoon, 1508 Melrose Ave
Flowers Bar & Restaurant, 4247 University Way NE
Bottleneck Lounge, 2328 E Madison St
Guild 19th LLC (business not yet named), 600 19th Ave E
TnT Taqueria, 2114 N 45th St
New Parklets:
Community Arts Create, 4248 S Orcas St
Mighty-O Donuts, 1550 NW Market St
Sugar Plum, 324 15th Ave
“These parklets and new streateries are community and business driven,” said Seattle Department of Transportation Director Scott Kubly. “We’re thrilled to see neighborhoods joining together to activate public space for better livability and economic vitality.”
Though under different names depending on the city, parklets with café seating (our streateries) have become a popular way to support vibrant neighborhoods throughout North America. Portland, New York, San Jose and Montreal have implemented successful streatery-type programs.
Meanwhile, three previously approved parklets are about to open—in the Hillman City, Ballard and the First Hill neighborhoods. That will bring the total number of completed Seattle parklets to nine—with three of those soon converting to streateries—and another five still in development. When fully built out there will be 14 parklets and nine streateries in Seattle.