King Street Station Restoration

Updated: November 21, 2008

King Street Station Clocks to Stop Running Temporarily
SDOT is making upgrades to restore station’s four clocks

Contractor installs new ceramic roof tiles for station

Overview

King Street Station is a public asset that is an important part of Seattle’s history. For over one hundred years it has improved connections, serving as a gateway for millions of travelers coming into Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. The station has spurred economic growth and helped establish Seattle as a major metropolitan city.

Unfortunately, heavy use and neglect over time have caused King Street Station to fall into disrepair. For years the station has been unable to keep up with the demands of a growing number of commuters and travelers.

On March 5, 2008, Mayor Greg Nickels marked the start of a new era for King Street Station with the City of Seattle’s purchase of the landmark building from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway Company. To view segments of the event click here.

Under city ownership, King Street Station will undergo a $26.5 million renovation that will achieve the following goals:

• Restore the building’s historic character and grandeur
• Upgrade facilities to meet present and future needs of rail and transit users
• Enhance passenger safety and security
• Promote sustainable design with a LEED Silver building certification
• Support efforts to transform the station into a modern transit hub

Scope of work

• Replace existing roof with original terra cotta tile roof
• Repair lighting and remove microwave dish on clock tower
• Fix the four tower clocks to make them operational
• Restore interior finishes and exterior building facade
• Remove suspended tiles from lobby to restore original ornate ceiling
• Complete seismic and structural upgrades

Schedule

The restoration of King Street Station is one of Mayor Nickels’ priority projects for the Center City area. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has taken the lead in working with its partners to complete the restoration of the station by the end of 2011.
Please note: This does not include interior restoration of the station’s second and third floors.Design and funding for these parts of the building will be identified at a later date.

The sequence for restoration of King Street Station is as follows:

• Replacement of station roof, removal of microwave dish, and repairs to clock tower begin summer 2008. Anticipated substantial completion of work is early 2009.
• Terminal interior restoration and building seismic upgrades begin spring 2009. Anticipated substantial completion of work is the end of 2011.
• Multi-modal hub planning and implementation is on-going.

Cost & Financing

Restoration of King Street Station will be 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 contribute $16.5 million in local, state and federal funds. This support will make possible the replacement of the station roof, repair of the clock tower lights, removal of the microwave tower, restoration of the terminal’s first floor and seismic upgrades to the building. Restoration work by the Seattle Department of Transportation will begin in the summer of 2008. WSDOT has already restored the entryway foyer and waiting area restrooms and purchased new exterior awnings at a cost of $4 million.