In the mid-1990s, a diverse group of Belltown residents formed a group called Growing Vine Street to realize their vision of a “green street” in this densely populated neighborhood dominated by concrete and glass. The plan was to treat the eight-block length of Vine Street as a watershed, turning it into a street park. It would bring the calming rhythm of nature into the heart of Belltown and provide public access to the waterfront.

A principal feature of the project is channeling street and property runoff so it can follow the course of the natural watershed. Currently, the water flows into combined sewer lines, which carry both raw sewage and relatively clean storm water to sewage treatment facilities. These lines often overflow during heavy rains. The project will clean the stormwater through biofiltration and will serve as a test laboratory for other neighborhoods while creating a desirable, living green space for people and for wildlife.

Working together, Growing Vine Street, the Belltown community, and a multi-discipline team of consultants headed by Carlson Architects have produced a conceptual design. Our goal is to make Vine Street grow!