Community-Led Plan for a Safer, More Vibrant Henderson Street

Recreating Henderson Street | SEATTLE, WA

Environmental Works partnered with Rainier Beach Action Coalition to develop a community-led vision and improvement plan for the 0.7-mile Henderson Street corridor, connecting the Rainier Beach light rail station with schools, businesses, community facilities, trails, parks, and residential areas throughout the neighborhood.

Building on years of neighborhood advocacy and planning, our team worked alongside residents, business owners, youth, artists, and community organizations to identify what would make Henderson Street safer, more welcoming, and more representative of Rainier Beach. The process included 18 neighborhood events, three public design workshops, six committee meetings, surveys, and outreach materials provided in six languages.

The resulting Street Concept Design Plan organized the corridor into six distinct areas and translated community input into site-specific ideas for safer walking and biking, public art, trees and planting, gathering and recreation, small-business activity, and stronger connections between neighborhood destinations. The final plan gives Rainier Beach Action Coalition and its partners a visual framework for pursuing future partnerships, funding, and phased improvements along the corridor.

The plan was shared with the community during the 2024 Walk the Block Party, where activities, performances, vendors, and temporary installations offered a glimpse of what a more active and connected Henderson Street could become.

Client
Rainier Beach Action Coalition

Project Partners
Rainier Beach Link2Lake
Seattle Parks Foundation

Services
Community Engagement
Planning & Urban Design
Concept Design

Size
0.7-mile Corridor

Completion
2024