S Henderson Stairway
Updated: December 20, 2022
What's Happening Now?
We want to provide a construction update with a status update on materials we are waiting on to complete the Henderson Stairway project.
The project has been on pause for two months while we've been waiting for the stair railings and light poles to be delivered. We had originally anticipated an early December delivery of those materials, but now anticipate receiving the poles and railings as soon as January 2023.
- Our light poles are normally made from steel, but we are using aluminum poles for this stairway. Our supplier has experienced aluminum supply chain issues, which has caused delays in the production and delivery of the light poles.
- Fabrication of the hand railings started earlier this month after our supplier was also experiencing material availability challenges. Ultimately, we decided to substitute for another type of pipe so they could start the work.
We will continue keep folks informed about the construction schedule through webpage updates and listserv notifications and plan to provide an update next month.
While it is possible to access the stairs while the project is on pause, we ask that you do not use them until we've installed the hand railings and lighting, which are important pedestrian safety features for the new staircase.
Here are some highlights of the work we did this summer and fall on the new stairway. We poured the new concrete stairway, including the bike runnel, stairs, and landings. Crews began forming and pouring at the top stairway at 39th Ave S in early August and finished the final pour in October at the base of the stairs at 41st Ave S. In addition to pouring the new stairway, crews installed bases for the new pedestrian lighting and prepped the area for vegetation that our Urban Forestry team will be plant next spring.
Left: New concrete stairs, bike runnel, and landings for new S Henderson Stairway. Right: Bases for pedestrian lighting have been installed. Landscaping will be planted by our Urban Forestry team in the spring.
As part of our project work, crews have upgraded the existing ditch and culvert drainage system at the bottom of the stairs at 41st Ave S. The ditch has been regraded and the culvert replaced to collect runoff from the staircase and provide safe access to the new stairs.
Left: Crews regraded existing ditch and replaced the culvert to collect runoff from the staircase. Rigth: Crews installed compacted crushed gravel to improve water retention in the soil at the base of stairs.
Stay informed
To stay up-to-date on what's happening during construction, sign up for email updates here.
Questions about the project?
Email us at hendersonstairway@seattle.gov or leave us a voicemail at (206) 257-2153.
Project Background
Beginning in 2018, we began the feasibility and planning process for a new stairway on S Henderson St between 39th Ave S and 41st Ave S (approx. 440 ft). The Henderson Stairway will better connect south Beacon Hill residents to the Rainier Beach light rail station, local schools and community amenities, while helping to advance the City's Pedestrian Master Plan goals.
This stairway is currently planned to include multiple landings to meet ADA requirements, lighting, and a runnel for people to walk their bikes up the stairway. The planned stairway, which has received several community requests, provides a direction connection to Rainier Beach Station from South Beacon Hill and reduces walking distance by approximately 0.5 miles.
Visualization of stairway upon completion
Project Benefits
- Gain another neighborhood connector to schools, Sound Transit light rail, transit and businesses
- Clearly designate the space for a specific use and reinforce the neighborhood identity through place making and wayfinding
- Increase engagement opportunities through neighborhood walks, physical challenges, student-led events
- Walking improvements help make neighborhoods safer and more connected
Project Area
The new stairway will be located on S Henderson St between 39th Ave S and 41st Ave S.
Top of stairway - 39th Ave S
Bottom of stairway - 41st Ave S
Examples of placemaking, wayfinding and programming around Seattle
Nearby Projects
- Safe Routes to School - Rainier Valley (Kenyon Way S sidewalk and intersection of Rainier and Rose signal and crosswalk improvements; construction to be completed in 2022)
- Safe Routes to School - Dunlap Elementary (S Rose St -- construction to begin as soon as February 2022)
- Route 7 Transit-Plus Multimodal (Construction to begin in spring 2022)
- Stay Healthy Streets (Rainier Valley North and South: Design/Outreach phase with implementation scheduled to begin in 2022)
Project Materials
Project Planning Notice, December 2018
Visualization of Stairway, June 2020
Online Drop-in Session Presentation, November 2020
Outreach Summary Report (from November 2020 Online Drop-in Session and Survey)
Funding
This project has received funding through a grant from Sound Transit.
Schedule
2017 | Project added to Pedestrian Master Plan |
2018 | Began feasibility study |
Early 2019 | Began planning and design, sent letter to area neighbors notifying of project initiation |
Due to construction costs, SDOT seeks outside funding | |
Fall 2019 | SDOT awarded Sound Transit System Access Fund grant |
Late 2019 | Conducted second round of outreach with letters to adjacent neighbors |
Summer 2020 | Conducted geotech soil sample collection at three locations |
Fall 2020 | Online outreach drop-in session and online survey |
Fall 2021 | Final Design Milestone |
June 2022 | Construction begins |
Questions?
- Sign up for automatic project updates here
- Call or email Communications and Outreach Lead Lisa Harrison at 1 (206) 257-2153" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(206) 257-2153 or hendersonstairway@Seattle.gov