Capitol Hill selected for $9.2M Seattle ‘Low-Pollution Neighborhoods’ pilot that could bring new pedestrian, street, and ‘green space’ projects

(Image: SDOT)

The city has announced Capitol Hill will be one of its first three “Low-Pollution Neighborhoods” in a $9.2 million pilot program that could bring new pedestrian, street, and “green space” projects to areas round Pike/Pine or Broadway as part of a city effort to improve the environment and street safety.

Calling it “one of Seattle’s densest neighborhoods, with intense activity around housing, nightlife, businesses, and major transit connections,” the Seattle Department of Transportation says Capitol Hill will be part of the pilot program “to reduce pollution and increase climate resilience in focused neighborhoods by coordinating existing City efforts and testing new solutions.”

The pilot will be supported by $8 million in transportation funding plus federal support.

The South Park/Georgetown and Lake City neighborhoods will also be part of the project as SDOT said planners were looking for a mix to “reflect different kinds of urban and environmental conditions, transportation challenges, and community priorities across the city.”

“This variety will allow us to test strategies in different contexts while building a practical toolbox that can guide future LPN investments,” the city says.

The selection will set off a planning process with studies and community feedback. Priorities for the Capitol Hill components include “improving pedestrian safety in high-activity areas, managing curb space and deliveries along busy corridors, supporting walking, biking, and transit access,” and “expanding green-spaces and people-centered public space.”

The pilot could revive discussions like the Capitol Hill Superblock. CHS reported in 2022 as city officials backed off a superblock pedestrianization concept to transform the core of Pike/Pine to make it friendly to people on foot and bicycles. But it could also mean more smaller efforts like the new pedestrian islands added to the busy intersections along E Pike.

SDOT says it has already completed work focused on detailed analysis, community partnership, and “early actions that can improve neighborhood conditions while longer-term projects are developed” as it chose its three pilot neighborhoods. Now it says it is ready to begin “focused planning and pilot development” while “continuing to refine tools, partnerships, and evaluation methods” over the course of the pilot.

The city says planning for the pilot neighborhoods will continue through 2027 “with implementation and evaluation expected in 2028 and beyond.”

You can learn more and keep track of updates at seattle.gov.

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