Last updated: December 9, 2024

Construction for this project is complete. From Dec. 12-19, the garage will undergo short, intermittent testing periods, with 5-15 minute detours around vehicle and pedestrian doors. Full-scale testing of all garage and pedestrian doors will take place at full operating schedules and the associated operating hours of 5 a.m. - 11 p.m. from Dec. 19-31. For more information about the garage, visit the Transportation Services website.

The Central Plaza Garage (CPG) beneath Red Square is receiving a series of safety improvements from February until autumn. These include upgrading cameras, installing metal gates and card access controls, adding pedestrian doors at vehicle entry/exit points, and improving cell phone coverage on lower levels. While this work is being carried out, access to some parking stalls and garage entrances will be curtailed. Closures will take place in phases to minimize disruption.

This page will always have the latest information about closures, and there will be signs in the garage itself. Affected permit holders for C01-C06 will also be contacted by email.

Schedule

All dates below are estimates and may shift based on circumstances. 

  • Feb 14 - July 25: Site fencing & set up laydown area

  • Feb 19 - July 11: Electrical work

  • July 13 - July 1: 15th Ave entry

  • July 5-17:  Stevens Way entry

  • June 11 - July 9: Odegaard entry 

  • July 24 - 30: Grant Lane entry

  • July 30 - August 1: 15th Ave entry

  • August 2-5: Stevens Way entry

  • August 15: Stevens Way entry

  • August 16-19: 15th Ave entry

  • September 25: C01 construction fencing removal

  • September 26: Grant Lane exit reopening

Following the completion of the construction phase above, inspections will begin to take place and be completed towards the end of October. After final inspections, Transportation Services will begin testing and training on the new security systems. 

About the project

This project is part of a series of upgrades to the major UW Seattle garages intended to improve safety for students, faculty, staff and visitors who park at the UW. With 3.4 million square feet of parking lots and garages on campus, maintaining a safe and clean environment requires both regular maintenance (restriping, leaf/snow removal, graffiti removal) as well as capital improvements such as the ones being made at CPG.

People experiencing homelessness sometimes seek refuge in the Central Plaza Garage, among other locations in the University District. When this happens, UW staff, UWPD officers and our outreach partner REACH help our unsheltered neighbors find safer shelter and other support. The UW has long supported REACH’s work in the U District and as of October 2023 is supporting a dedicated REACH worker on campus. The goal is to build relationships with people experiencing homelessness and connect them to the help they need, from food and clothing to medical care, shelter and mental health and/or substance use treatment.