Mayor Jenny Durkan, in partnership with Councilmember-Elect Andrew Lewis (District 7), announced an agreement this morning to preserve the UpGarden P-Patch Community Garden on the roof level of Mercer Parking Garage. An extension of the existing Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Seattle Center and Department of Neighborhoods will allow the community garden to remain as long as Mercer Garage is still being used for current purposes, which is expected to remain for years to come.
“Our community P-Patches are some of Seattle’s most treasured resources for building community and connection,” said Mayor Durkan. “We will continue to preserve and maintain critical green space in our City so all our residents, regardless of neighborhood or income level are able to garden and grow healthy food.”
Following weeks of work among Seattle Center, Councilmember-Elect Lewis and UpGarden advocates, this P-Patch will remain a public gardening space until the Mercer Garage is repurposed or redeveloped. According to the City of Seattle’s agreement with ArenaCo. LLC, Mercer Garage will be maintained as a parking facility until light rail is designed and planned for Seattle Center.
“The UpGarden community grew a grassroots movement, literally. I was happy to bring their concerns to Mayor Durkan and strongly advocate on their behalf. I am thrilled we will be able to preserve this beautiful oasis of green in the middle of District 7,” said Councilmember Elect Lewis.
UpGarden P-Patch originally opened in 2012 as a community effort to increase green space and secure a place for a community garden development. Seattle Center loaned one half of the Mercer Garage rooftop to Seattle Department of Neighborhoods through an MOA to build the community garden.
“Our purpose at Seattle Center is to delight spirit and strengthen communities. The UpGarden has served that purpose and more, cultivating and nourishing the community, while providing a lush, green, growing garden for all to enjoy. We are proud to have been a part of its creation, and we look forward to hosting this very special place for the many years to come,” said Seattle Center director Robert Nellams.
