The following was submitted to Wallyhood by Jeff Carter on behalf of the Wallingford Community Council.
WATERWAY 20 GRANT PROJECT UPDATE: Public Meetings
Public Meeting #1: 📅 Wednesday, April 8, 2026 | 7:00–8:30 pm | 📍 Gasworks Brewing, 2441 N Northlake Way
The Wallingford Community Council (WCC) will hold the first meeting to discuss the opening of Waterway 20 (near Gas Works Park) on April 8th at Gasworks Brewing. We’ll hear from the primary consultant from Shannon and Wilson, Inc., who will discuss initial cleanup ideas and future plans. Come early to hang out and meet others involved in water access and parks on Lake Union. Wallingford Community Council members will be there starting at 6 pm.
Public Meeting #2: 📅 Tuesday, May 26, 2026 | 4:00–5:30 pm | 📍Ivar’s Salmon House, 401 NE Northlake Way
Our second meeting is planned for Tuesday, May 26th at Ivar’s Salmon House. We’ll discuss updates from the Washington Department of Ecology on the cleanup process and how we can work together to open up Waterway 20 to public use. Food and beverage will be provided.
Both meetings are open to all neighbors, especially those near the Lake Union north shore. Space for the meetings is limited. Please RSVP by email.
Fenced-off access to Waterway 20
The WCC’s two-year grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology (2026–2028) is moving forward. Two required public outreach meetings are now scheduled to reopen access to Lake Union through the fenced-off area just west of Gas Works Park, known as Waterway 20.
The Waterway 20 committee, chaired by Ted Hunter, is hiring consultants to analyze soil contamination conditions and develop mitigation approaches. More details will be shared at the April 8th meeting. The site is currently occupied by the Seattle Police Harbor Patrol. Although designated as a public waterway, it is currently fenced off and restricted.
More information about Lake Union waterways access is available at WCC’s Shorelines page.
For a detailed review of public access points near Gas Works Park, check out Julie Martin’s 2022 Wallyhood article, Walking Wallingford’s Waterways.