S Henderson Stairway

The S Henderson Stairway Project is complete!

We have exciting news for the residents of South Beacon Hill -- the S Henderson Stairway Project has officially been completed! After several years of planning, design, and construction, the stairway is now open to the public and serves as a vital connector for the community.

The project began back in 2018, with the goal of creating a new stairway between 39th Ave S and 41st Ave S. This area had been identified as a crucial point of connection between the South Beacon Hill neighborhood and the nearby Rainier Beach light rail station, local schools, and other amenities. The new stairway not only provides a more direct route to these locations but also reflects the city's commitment to advancing its Pedestrian Master Plan goals.

Photos from left to rigth: (1) At base of completed stairway (41st Ave S looking west); (2) At a mid-way stairway landing looking west; (3) View at top of new stairway and landscaping (39th Ave S looking east); (4) Crews installed new drainage improvements at 39th Ave S. SDOT Photos

Let's take a look at S Henderson Stairway Project's impressive numbers!

• The new stairway spans 440ft with an elevation gain of approximately 114ft.
• 108 steel piles (20ft long) were driven into the ground for the stairway foundation.
• We installed 10 light poles that provide focused, pedestrian-scaled lighting and make the area safe to use at all times of the day.
• This is our third longest set of stairs with 258 steps and 18 landings.
  • Our longest stairway is at SW Thistle Street with 360 steps and our second longest is E Howe Street with 279 steps.
• This new stairway has our longest bike runnel to-date (we've installed about a half dozen bike runnels along our stairs so far).

The S Henderson Stairway is designed to clearly designate space for specific use and provides a new and unique way for residents to explore and engage with their community. Physical challenges, student-led events, and neighborhood walks are just a few examples of the many opportunities that this new stairway will bring to the community. Thank you again to all involved in bringing the S Henderson Stairway project to fruition, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the community for years to come.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your bike, put on your walking shoes, and head on over to the S Henderson Stairway to check it out for yourself!