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New urban garden planned for center of Capitol Hill (courtesy of Seattle Central) — See the plan

Seattle Central Community College is building a Plant Science Complex in the empty grassy lot at 1620 Boylston Ave between the parking garage (to the south) and an apartment building (to the north). Currently, they are planning to break ground on the greenhouse portion in May and expect construction to be completed by August 2010.  The entire lot is approximately 9,500 square feet.  Below is a landscape architect’s view of what the space will look like.


Jeff Watts of SCCC Capital Projects commented on the plan:

The SCCC parking garage is at the bottom of the picture, to the south. The actual greenhouse is on the north side of the lot. This drawing was done about 2 years ago and a few things have changed since that time. First of all, the semi-circular walkway that is depicted will no longer be there. We will make our own flat-rock pathway to give it a more interesting look. In this way, we hope that the path will wind you around the different areas we have planned rather than take you from ” Point A to Point B” . Our goal is to have you see something different each time you walk though this area.

Another area that is different are the planter boxes that are in the upper left hand side of the picture ( Northwest corner) We have taken those boxes out in favor of increasing the planting space. This area will mainly be for Seattle Culinary Academy organic herbs. Without defined boxes, we can create herb spirals. This will not only increase the total area in which we can plant herbs, but lend itself to hopefully giving urban residents with not much yard space an option to planter boxes.

If you are interested in keeping track of the progress of the greenhouse/garden, Jeff authors a blog called Garden Wandering.

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DOD
DOD
13 years ago

I will be happy to see the Old Couch Graveyard and Trash Disposal area converted into something that will (hopefully) beautify the area and contribute to the neighborhood.

calhoun
13 years ago

What is the security plan to protect this wonderful space? Unless it is fenced and has a locked gate 24/7, I can guarantee that there will be significant theft and vandalism. I wish this wasn’t necessary, but it is reality these days on Capitol Hill.

mmariano
mmariano
13 years ago

There’s a lot of large parking structures around the country with top levels that would make great gardens. How about if SCCC takes the lead and converts their top floor of the parking garage to a large garden to supplement the greenhouse plans? Load capacity is there, exit stairs and elevators…biggest question may be can more students take public transit?