By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
King County has secured the former Skyway Park Bowl property, clearing a major hurdle in plans to build Skyway’s first community center and bringing a long-awaited community project one step closer to reality.
The acquisition of the 3.82-acre site marks a significant milestone for Skyway residents and community organizations that have spent years advocating for a dedicated gathering place offering recreation, youth programming and family services.
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay recently announced that King County Parks has finalized an agreement to purchase the property, which will serve as the permanent home of the future Skyway Community Center.
“For more than a decade, Skyway neighbors have been advocating for an inclusive, welcoming place to gather, play, and build community,” said Zahilay. “This site preserves valuable green space while creating a new neighborhood hub in a central, walkable location near transit, the library, schools, and other amenities. Delivering this community center is a top priority for my administration, and I’m excited that we are one step closer to making it a reality for the people of Skyway and West Hill.”
The announcement represents the latest milestone in a community-driven effort that has spanned decades.
Community advocates have long argued that Skyway lacks many of the recreational and community amenities commonly found in neighboring cities, making a dedicated community center one of the area’s most frequently identified priorities.
The acquisition also marks an important turning point in the project’s development. In 2023, King County Parks proposed building the community center on the south end of Skyway Park. However, residents expressed concerns about losing valuable green space, prompting county leaders to explore alternative locations.
When the Skyway Park Bowl property became available, the county identified an opportunity to preserve existing parkland while maintaining a central location that residents could easily access.
“We’re building this community center for the community we serve, so we wanted to make sure we chose a location that reflects their priorities,” said Warren Jimenez, director of King County Parks. “I’m grateful for everyone who contributed their insights that informed this important decision.”
Located between Renton Avenue South and Skyway Park, the property sits adjacent to the park’s northwest corner, allowing future planners to create a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor community spaces.
Current plans call for an approximately 25,000-square-foot facility that could include a gymnasium, fitness area, community meeting rooms, classrooms, a community kitchen, youth-focused spaces and outdoor gathering areas connected to the existing park.
While initial design funding was secured through the voter-approved King County Parks Levy, officials said the design process will now be recalibrated to reflect the characteristics of the newly acquired site. Community engagement, focus groups and public feedback opportunities are expected to continue throughout 2026.
For Rebecca Zapata, director of the Skyway Coalition, the acquisition represents the culmination of years of organizing, planning and advocacy by residents determined to bring new resources to the community.
“Several community groups have organized and planned for a Skyway Community Center over the last two decades, including leading advocacy in 2021 that secured the initial $10 million from King County Council’s Budget,” said Zapata. “Skyway Coalition proudly continues to steward the community’s longstanding vision and has met regularly with King County over the past five years to ensure community continues to guide this important investment.”
King County Councilmember Rhonda Lewis said the acquisition keeps the project moving forward while honoring community input.
“This marks a major milestone on the road to Skyway getting its first community center and I’m thrilled to support it,” said Lewis. “Guided by the voice of the community, this location will serve Skyway’s needs for decades to come, and I can’t wait to see it completed and all the amazing programs that will operate there.”
The purchase also marks the end of an era for the Skyway Park Bowl, a longtime neighborhood gathering place that served the community for more than six decades.
Originally opened in 1961, the bowling alley remained a local fixture until a major sprinkler-system malfunction forced its closure in 2024. The venue later hosted music events, karaoke nights and community gatherings before operations ultimately ceased.
Before demolition begins, regional salvage organizations, including Second Use Building Materials, plan to recover architectural materials from the building, preserving pieces of a site that holds decades of memories for Skyway residents.
While the bowling alley’s chapter is coming to a close, community leaders say the property’s next chapter may prove even more significant — serving as a permanent gathering place where residents can connect, learn and build community for generations to come.
