Seattle Center, WA
It's a community thing!
Focused on Construction
GRINDLINE.COM
Grindline Skateparks, Inc. was awarded the construction of the Seattle Center Skate Plaza in 2020 and worked hand in hand with the Seattle Center team to install a skatepark in the middle of a busy downtown corridor on an old right of way next to a power substation, with multiple conflicting utilities that needed to be avoided. The construction process could not have been more complicated. The location of the underground utilities and many unknowns made for a very challenging build which Grindline worked through to problem solve and get this project completed and built . One of the many challenges of the work was coordinating with the many different public utilities who were involved in this project, including SDOT and Seattle City Light. 
Built by Seattle’s own Grindline Skateparks, INC.
Construction Began September 2020
There have been several skateparks built at the Seattle Center since the 1990’s which have provided local Seattle skateboarders with a safe place to learn and progress their skills in the city.
This new skate plaza will include a variety of street features such as ledges, manual pads, rails, banks, a hubba, quarter pipes, and also a mini ramp! It is geared towards street skaters and will provide ample room to enjoy.
“Skate parks at Seattle Center have provided young people with an enthusiasm for boarding the opportunity to build and hone their skills, where they can enjoy healthy social engagement and enliven a portion of the streetscape, said Seattle Center Director Robert Nellams. I want to thank and commend our skateboarding partners for their patience and perseverance over the years and thank Oak View Group for their financial contribution."
 
-Seattlecenter.com
 
"Oak View Group contributed $500,000 to move the skatepark as part of its agreement with the City of Seattle to redevelop and manage Climate Pledge Arena. Seattle City Council approved transferal of the land from the Seattle Department of Transportation to Seattle Center for purposes of constructing, operating, and maintaining a public skate plaza. Seattle Design Commission supported the project and reviewed the proposed design. Seattle City Light, Seattle Public Utilities and SDOT provided invaluable assistance throughout a challenging construction process."
 
-Seattlecenter.com
 
“The Seattle Department of Transportation is proud to partner with the Seattle Center and organizations like Skate Like a Girl and the Seattle Center Skatepark Coalition to continue the legacy of skateboarding and community building said Sam Zimbabwe, SDOT Director. Since the early nineties, skateboarding at the Seattle Center has provided people a positive space to be creative and stay active. With the permanent closure of Broad St, we are honored to have played a role in continuing to make active community spaces a reality in Seattle.”
 
-Seattlecenter.com
JAMES KLINEDINST Project Manager for Grindline Skateparks, INC.
Interviews
STEPHEN LEVENGOOD Project Manger for the Seattle center skatepark construction.
  • What type and size projects have you worked on before the Seattle center – how did this compare to your past projects? [Levengood, Stephen] Mainly ADA improvements, elevator modernization, and transportation-related, including a $5M Seattle Monorail Electrical Room Upgrades project, which was constructed at the same time as the Skate Plaza, that won an award from Engineer News Record.

  • What was the biggest obstacle/challenges in completing this project? [Levengood, Stephen] Construction during a pandemic.

  • What was the best part about this project? [Levengood, Stephen] How much the skaters love the work product. I’ve had people I don’t even know walk up to me on Seattle Center campus and shake my hand. Makes it all worthwhile.

  • What aspects of construction project management did you enjoy the most on this project? [Levengood, Stephen] I enjoyed working with Grindline and the design team to construct a superior work product.

  • How would you describe your leadership style on this project? [Levengood, Stephen] I try to be supportive of the contractor building the project, while at the same time representing the interests of the city.

  • How would you describe the duties of a construction project manager on this project? [Levengood, Stephen] In short, staying on top of things.

  • What were the primary challenges as the construction manager on this project? [Levengood, Stephen] Trying to get the design team, who I had not worked with previously, Grindline, and the city all on the same page without unnecessary conflicts during a pandemic was definitely challenging, but I think we succeeded.
Completed construction in September of 2021
Skate Like A Girl helped by facilitating many fundraising events leading up to and even during the construction process. Skate Like A Girl was instrumental in bringing together many of the names that participated in in the Seattle Center Skate Plaza. If you would like to learn more, about Skate Like A Girl and how they helped or want to know more please click the hyperlink above.
It's complete 18,000-sq’ Seattle Center Skate Plaza, located in part of Broad St vacated for the SR-99 Tunnel. Thanks to the help of our many partners: SC Skateboard Coalition, Skate Like A Girl, Sea City Council, SDOT, SPU, SCL, Grindline Skateparks, INC. and project funder OVG. pic.twitter.com/CL9LKXWeYb
— Seattle Center (@seattlecenter)
ABOUT SKATE LIKE A GIRL
MISSION
To create an inclusive community by promoting confidence, leadership, and social justice through skateboarding.
VISION
Empower skaters, especially young women and/or trans people, to grow into strong, confident leaders who promote and implement social equity.
VALUES
We value experiential learning and civic participation, by providing opportunities to be involved in the skateboarding community.
https://www.skatelikeagirl.com/
Skate Like a Girl is a nonprofit organization empowering individuals, especially young women and trans people, to become strong, confident leaders who promote and implement equity through the vehicle of skateboarding. We believe that skateboarding is a tool to build confidence, resilience, and foster inclusive community. Our mission is to create an inclusive community by promoting confidence, leadership, and social justice through the sport of skateboarding. Founded 20 years ago, we currently operate chapters in Seattle, Portland and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Planning a new park? To get additional information about Grindline, including multiple examples of our past projects with size and budget data that will prove helpful as you think through the terrain and scale of the park you need, click here.
Grindline Skateparks is a full-service firm specializing in the planning, design, construction, and programming of custom concrete skateparks. Founded in 1990 by skateboarding legend Mark "Monk" Hubbard, the Grindline team has designed, sculpted, and skated millions of tons of concrete across the United States and around the world.