Construction has officially begun to transform the empty one-fifth-acre lot just south of the Beverage Place at 6413 California Avenue Southwest into a piazza-like park. Once slated for a future monorail station, the site will have green spaces, a U-shaped gathering place with seating, and decorative lighting. The park construction is funded by the Pro Parks Levy.

"We've pulled all the wall, asphalt, and are now blowing out blacktop," said Ray Elder, project supervisor with Archer Construction in Kent, the firm awarded the job by Seattle Parks and Recreation. "We remove the gravel rock under the blacktop and will put in six inches of top soil for the planted area. We expect to have the concrete poured by the end of the week, and then it will really start taking shape. We should be out of here by March."

A public petition has been submitted to Parks superintendent Timothy Gallagher to name the piazza "Tim St. Clair Park" in honor of the long-time West Seattle Herald reporter who died Feb. 25 of cancer at age 57. He lived near the site. One snag is that the Parks department has a rule on its books that requires an individual be deceased for at least three years prior to consideration, but an exception is being discussed.

"The Superintendent has final say over making an exception," said Paula Hoff, a Parks strategic advisor on the Parks Naming Committee. "We're taking a look at it and might decide by February."

For more information please visit the website: http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/proparks/projects/morgan.htm