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Pier 48

A Complex History and a Critical Time to Move Forward

The last vacant lot on the Seattle waterfront is more than just a development opportunity. It is a location that carries memories of Native settlements, economic development and environmental changes by white settlers, and a history of efforts by those settlers to erase the natives and non-whites who sought to make their lives in Seattle.

Photo below courtesy of MOHAI, "Indian encampment on Ballast Island at the Seattle waterfront, ca. 1900-American Indians of the Pacific Northwest, image portion - University of Washington Digital Collections.

native-americans-resident-on-ballast-island-near-oregon-improvement-company-dock-a-seattle

HSD is seeking funding in the state legislature to insure that the future of the Pier 48 site is designed by and for the communities in south downtown, re-engaging Pioneer Square, the Chinese-American community, and native communities around the future of Pier 48. If you would like to be involved, please email us!

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