On February 21, 2026, the Hiawatha Community Center in West Seattle celebrated its grand reopening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the end of a nearly six-year closure. The event signaled the completion of a comprehensive $7.5 million modernization project that transformed the historic facility into a model for urban sustainability.

A Historic Legacy Restored

Originally constructed between 1910 and 1911, Hiawatha is Seattle's oldest community center. Designed by the prominent firm Bebb & Gould, the center and its surrounding playfield were a key part of the 1908 Olmsted Brothers Supplemental Plan.

Doug Luetjen, President of the Friends of Seattle's Olmsted Parks, noted during the ceremony that Hiawatha was the first designed child-oriented playfield and community center in the United States, representing a significant piece of national history.

The center has long served as a vital hub for youth programs and athletics due to its proximity to West Seattle High School. However, by the early 2000s, assessments indicated that the aging landmark required significant long-term investment.

Extent of the Modernization

The extensive renovation, which began as a structural stabilization project, evolved into a full-scale renewal. The scope of the work included:

• Full Structural Stabilization: Addressing years of deferred maintenance to secure the 115-year-old building.
• Seismic and Safety Upgrades: Implementing structural reinforcements and modernizing safety systems.
• Complete Electrification: Hiawatha is now Seattle’s first fully electrified community center, having completely eliminated fossil-fuel systems.
• Interior Refurbishment: The project refreshed interior spaces, updated activity rooms, and reopened the tot gym.

The project's $7.5 million cost was driven in part by the additional infrastructure required for full electrification. The nearly six-year timeline was attributed to pandemic-related shutdowns, delays in federal grant funding, and the expanded project scope.

Community Impact and Voices

Speakers at the event emphasized that the center is more than just a building. Mayor Katie Wilson described the facility as "the connective tissue of neighborhoods across Seattle," adding that "the oldest community center in Seattle now leads the way into our clean energy future". She characterized the project as an investment in "belonging as infrastructure".

Council Member Rob Saka acknowledged the void left by the center's long absence, stating, "When Hiawatha closed, West Seattle felt it. Families felt it. Seniors felt it. And kids felt it". He celebrated the reopening by declaring that the "heart" of the neighborhood "is beating stronger yet again".

The Interim Superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation Michelle Finnegan apologized for the "prolonged closure" but expressed gratitude for the community's "extraordinary patience," noting that the upgrades ensure the facility will provide services for a "long, long time".

Next Steps

Following the grand reopening, the center will operate with limited hours from February 23 to March 6, before returning to full daily operations on March 9, 2026. Expanded programming is expected to launch by Summer 2026.