Information from Seattle Public Utilities

Construction continues on our multi-site Longfellow Natural Drainage System project. We anticipate that construction on the project will wrap up this spring. Thank you for your patience as we’ve completed this work.

Check out the updates below to learn what's happening at each of our project sites and visit our website for more information about the project.

SW Kenyon St Site

Rendering of the planned public art installation at 24th Ave SW & SW Kenyon St

Contractor crews have finished installing the natural drainage system and pedestrian improvements at the SW Kenyon St site. We anticipate that most work at the site will wrap up by late February, though crews will return in the spring to complete wetland restoration and some landscaping work.

The intersection of 24th Ave SW and SW Kenyon St has reopened to vehicular traffic. We anticipate that the pedestrian bridge and walkway over Longfellow Creek will reopen in February or March once the electrical service for the bridge’s pedestrian lighting is complete.

The public art that is planned for the corner of 24th Ave SW and SW Kenyon St will be installed in collaboration with Portland-based artist Brian Borrello and the City of Seattle’s Public Art Program. To learn more about the public art installation, visit the project website.

Due to ongoing coordination work, SPU has decided to postpone construction of several pieces of underground drainage infrastructure that will be installed to the northwest of the 24th Ave SW and SW Kenyon St intersection. This work will be completed by another contractor later this year. Once we have a timeline for this work, we’ll be back in touch with more details.

24th Ave SW Site

Contractor crews have finished installing the natural drainage system and roadway improvements at the 24th Ave SW site.

Though most of the work at the site is now complete, there are still several remaining work items that impact specific properties along 24th Ave SW. SPU plans to use a new contractor for this property-specific work and will continue to coordinate directly with impacted residents.

Sylvan Way SW Site

Due to technical challenges, work at the Sylvan Way SW site has been postponed and will be completed under a separate public works contract. Crews will complete temporary pavement restoration along the street in spring 2024. We now anticipate that the drainage improvements at the Sylvan Way SW site will be installed in late 2024 or 2025. We’ll share more information about the updated construction timeline as we further develop our plans for the work.

Project Background

SPU is installing natural drainage systems in your neighborhood to improve water quality in Longfellow Creek, reduce drainage issues, enhance greenspace, and calm traffic.

As part of this project, SPU is partnering with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to provide pedestrian improvements along 24th Ave SW between SW Thistle St and SW Barton Pl and at the SW Kenyon St pedestrian bridge at 24th Ave SW.

Through the City of Seattle’s Public Art Program, we're also installing artwork at the SW Kenyon St site.

Want to learn more?  

Please visit our website to:

• Learn about natural drainage systems and their benefits to your community
• Check out the final designs for each of the project sites