(rshsdepot) King Street Station, Seattle, WA

[I95BERNIEW_@_aol.com]

A news release from the City of Seattle
 
Bernie Wagenblast
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
Construction Begins on Historic King Street Station

FOR IMMEDIATE  RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Sheridan (206) 
684-8540 
 
SEATTLE - Construction started this week on the much-anticipated  restoration 
of the historic King Street Station. On Monday, September 22, the  Seattle 
Department of Transportation (SDOT) began removing the station’s leaking  roof 
and a new roof, made of terracotta tiles replicating the originals, will be  
installed starting in mid-October. The roof is the first of many stunning  
architectural features that will be refurbished through the city of Seattle’s  
$26.5 million restoration of the 102-year-old railroad station. 
 
Restored to its original grandeur, King Street Station will be transformed  
into a modern transportation hub equipped to serve Seattle for the next hundred 
 years. It will provide transportation connections for the southern portion 
of  the city, featuring Amtrak long distance rail, Sound Transit commuter rail 
and  Amtrak intercity buses, along with convenient access to Metro buses and, 
in the  future, Link Light Rail and the Seattle Streetcar. 
 
Under city ownership, progress has already been made in reviving the  
landmark facility. SDOT mended and illuminated the neon “King Street Station”  sign 
above Jackson Street Plaza, replaced broken windows, and repaired the four  
clocks on the building’s signature tower. For the first time in over a decade,  
Seattleites can once again set their watches by the King Street Station clock, 
 whose 245-foot tower was modeled after the San Marco bell tower of Venice,  
Italy. 
 
In addition to the roof replacement, which will be completed by March 2009,  
the station tower’s microwave dish will be removed in October of this year.  
Additionally, SDOT will refurbish or replace the clock tower’s windows and  
restore the lighting around the four station clocks. By late 2011, interior  
finishes and the lobby’s original ornate ceiling will be restored, the grand  
staircase will be recreated and reopened, and seismic upgrades will be made. 
 
The restoration is being funded by contributions from the city, the state  
and the federal government. The voter-approved Bridging the Gap levy will  
provide $10 million, and the Washington State Department of Transportation  (WSDOT) 
will offer $16.5 million in state and federal funds. 
 
King Street Station first opened to the public in May 1906. Reed and Stern,  
the architectural firm responsible for New York City’s celebrated Grand 
Central  Terminal, designed the station. The structure was placed on the National  
Register of Historic Places in 1973. 
 
During roof replacement this fall, parking restrictions will be necessary,  
and the work will generate moderate noise and dust. Normal work hours will be 7 
 a.m. - 4 p.m. weekdays, with occasional night time and weekend work. Access 
to  Sounder Commuter Rail and Amtrak trains will be maintained. 
 
The Seattle Department of Transportation builds, maintains and operates  
Seattle`s $8 billion transportation infrastructure. To further Mayor Nickels’  
goal to get Seattle moving, the department manages short- and long-term  
investments in streets, bridges, pavement and trees, that better connect the  city 
with the region. 



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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org
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End of RSHSDepot Digest V1 #1781
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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org