Behind the Scenes: Building Seattle's Overlook Walk

By Deaunte Damper 

Back in early October, the City of Seattle was buzzing with excitement as we unveiled this incredible new addition to our waterfront and I was there at the Overlook Walk ribbon-cutting ceremony! It's been a long time coming, and I had the privilege of speaking with some of the key players who helped make this project a reality. Let's dive in and hear what they had to say!

Mayor Bruce Harrell: A Vision for the City

First up, I had the honor of chatting with Mayor Bruce Harrell. He was beaming with pride as he talked about the Overlook Walk's significance for Seattle.

"This is a multi-million dollar project that brings tourists here, brings people from around here to connect the two areas," Mayor Harrell explained. "And the reason why it's important for the city is, quite honestly, it's an attraction like all of our great [landmarks] like the Wheel or the Space Needle. And we need those tax dollars. We need that revenue to do the most important programs, which are making sure people who are hungry are fed, and making sure that we're investing in education and peace efforts."

Mayor Harrell also emphasized the importance of community involvement in projects like this. "When we look at these large civic projects, we cannot forget our roots," he said. "I need people like you and people in the different organizations...to work with me to make sure that our voices are heard, that we don't need other people speaking for our community, we speak for ourselves."

James Corner: The Architect's Perspective

Next, I spoke with James Corner, Founding Partner and CEO at FieldOperations architecture firm and the mastermind behind the Overlook Walk's design. He shared some fascinating insights into the design process and the inspiration behind the project.

"The first objective for the design of Overlook Walk is to really connect Pike Place Market to the waterfront and to the aquarium," Corner explained. "But from a design point of view...the whole idea is, as you make this connection, you're on a journey. And so the walk actually weaves down and around, and it takes you through a sequence of gardens and plantings offering different vistas and vantage points and views across the bay and the city."

Corner also spoke about the challenges of balancing functionality with aesthetics and creating a space that would be both beautiful and practical. "We ended up with this balance between, you know, a walk that is generous, can accommodate lots of people, support events, but we also have generous plantings that provide a sense of lushness, a sense of nature," he said.

Jessica Murphy: The Construction Program Manager's Dedication

Behind every successful project is a dedicated team, and Jessica Murphy, the construction program manager for the city's Office of the Waterfront, played a crucial role in bringing the Overlook Walk to life. She shared some of the unique challenges of this project and what kept her motivated throughout the process.

"One of the biggest challenges here on Overlook Walk is we got this project started right on the heels of the global pandemic, right on the heels of a regional concrete strike," Murphy revealed. "And we were building the Ocean Pavilion and the Overlook Walk at the same time...all while keeping traffic moving on Alaskan Way below. So construction was an incredible challenge to get us here today."

Despite these hurdles, Murphy's commitment to public service and her passion for the project never wavered. "I have a deep commitment to public service," she said. "I'm actually a third-generation city employee, so public service has been instilled in me from the beginning of my life, and I really am so grateful to be able to be a part of this."

Brian Grievous: A Hometown Perspective

Finally, I had the pleasure of speaking with Brian Grievous, the Hoffman Construction Program Superintendent. As a Seattle native, Brian brought a unique perspective to the project.

"This project is a remarkable community project," Brian shared. "This is our community project. So we had, you know, great opportunities to work from the very beginning...and got to work with the team to understand the dynamics of what was happening in Seattle."

For Brian, the most rewarding part of the project was the opportunity to create something special for his hometown. "Being able to share that with family, with friends, that to be here and see that...see the sun come up, this place has that special thing that you can't really describe," he said.

A Legacy for Seattle

The grand opening of the Overlook Walk embodies Seattle's enduring strength, dedication to community, and unyielding spirit. This space has the power to unite people, fostering a sense of connection and shared experiences.