With their first project on its way to opening as a new park and p-patch space later this year at Summit and John, the Community Council’s Unpaving Paradise open space committee is turning its attention to the city’s latest green space acquisition, the $2 million lots at Federal and Republican. Here’s the announcement from the committee and some information on their intention to put the space to use in the near-term as the public process related to design and construction plays out.

Hello neighbors,
Unpaving Paradise, the open space committee of the Capitol Hill Community Council, has taken on a new project at the southwest corner of Federal Ave. and Republican St. The empty lot, acquired by the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department in the most recent parks levy, currently sits unused. A newly- formed interest group of neighbors is spearheading the effort to help develop the lot for some use – passive or active – that will benefit the community. So far, the project is in its infancy, and Unpaving Paradise seeks other neighbors to get involved. No decisions have been made yet as to the use of the lot, but possibilities include: passive or active park, p-patch, off-leash dog area, skate park, or art space.

Unpaving Paradise is appealing to the Department of Neighborhoods for acceptance of a public process to develop the lot for an interim use there. The group is committed to making that process as open and participatory as possible. Please contact [email protected] to get involved in the Steering Committee or as a volunteer. The second meeting of the group will be at 6pm on Monday, August 16th, at the site (bring your own chair or something to sit on). Hope to see you on the 16th!
~ Unpaving Paradise