The dark green water bottle filling station at the top of Hing Hay Park near the concrete benches was installed in advance of the FIFA World Cup to provide clean drinking water to locals and the high volume of visiting tourists.
The water station was always meant to be temporary, and will be removed after the FIFA World Cup, confirmed Christina Hirsch, Seattle Parks and Recreation spokesperson, in an email to the International Examiner.
But the City plans to install a permanent one in its place after FIFA. Parks is working with the City Landmarks Historic Preservation Board to plan for its replacement, which includes adjustment to the slopes at the fountain location to meet ADA requirements, Hirsch said.
The water station site where previous water fountain used to be, but that fountain was damaged, and because of its age could not be repaired due to a lack of replacement parts, according to Hirsch.
Why not just keep the new water filling station permanently? “We like that solution and it is potentially possible, but what goes back requires approval by the Historic Preservation Board,” Hirsch said.
