Product Development in Yakima
In early July, the City of Yakima Council approved to proceed with the development and construction of Yakima Central Plaza, a gathering and event space in the heart of downtown Yakima. “This plaza will provide a new, dynamic amenity for our residents while attracting visitors and meetings to Yakima,” stated John Cooper, President & CEO of Yakima Valley Tourism and a member of the Plaza Steering Committee. “It will be the place everyone gathers to celebrate and enjoy what makes the Yakima Valley special.”
Built largely through private donations, this $12 million project will convert a multi-acre parking lot into a multi-use public space that can be utilized year-round by locals and visitors to the city.
The plaza was designed by former Yakima native Kathryn Gustafson of GGN in Seattle, Washington. Gustafson is a world-renowned landscape architect known for designing vibrant outdoor spaces. Her work includes the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain in London, and the Gardens of the Imagination in Terrasson, France. She is known for her ability to create sculptural forms using earth, grass, stone and water. The design inspiration for Yakima Central Plaza will draw from the unique landmarks, geology and heritage of the fertile Yakima Valley. Features will include running water channels that mimic the irrigation canals of the Valley, a grove of trees with seating, a water play area, a shaded structure for vendors and parking, terraced seating, spacious lawns plus staging for large events.
A timeline for construction and completion are unknown at this time, but plaza boosters hope it will be finished in 2018. For details visit https://yakimacentralplaza.com/
