Pike Place Market

RENOVATION PROJECT SUMMARY

Renovation Success: Three Years of Construction after Years of Planning

When Phase I of the renovation began in the spring of 2009, we anticipated that work would continue for three to four years. Now, in the spring of 2012, the major work is done (with remaining work on the Western Avenue windows to take place in the fall). Since each project resulted in a variety of impacts—ranging from short-term to long-term and minor to major—that affected everyone in the Market, it’s great news that  we completed the renovation in three years.

Highlights of Each Phase
Phase I work in the Leland and Fairley Buildings, Hillclimb, and Public Market Parking Garage resulted in an improved entry from Western Avenue; a new elevator serving Western Avenue, DownUnder, and the Main Arcade; a new electrical vault and service upgrades; new plumbing lines; an expanded loading dock; flooring repair; and a new mechanical central plant.

Phase II renovation took place in the Corner Market, Sanitary Market, Triangle Building, and First and Pine Building. This phase included major repairs (plumbing, windows, doors, stairs, fire suppression systems and flooring) in all buildings; major seismic and structural upgrades in the Corner, Sanitary and Triangle Buildings; mechanical and electrical upgrades; and new or upgraded HVAC systems. We added a new elevator in the Corner Market Building and new restrooms in the Sanitary Market Building. This phase of renovation created significant tenant impacts that resulted in temporary tenant relocations, temporary business closures, and apartment residents temporarily relocated.

Phase III of renovation involved  the Stewart House, Soames-Dunn, and Economy Buildings. We made major repairs, seismic upgrades, and structural improvements in each building. We replaced the exterior brickwork on the Stewart House; added a new public restroom in the Soames-Dunn; and added a new elevator and HVAC system in the Economy Building.

Project Priorities Were Met: Upgraded Systems and Structures, New Restrooms and Elevators
We long knew that capital maintenance issues were mounting throughout the Market’s infrastructure. In September 2006, we engaged a team of architects and engineers to perform a comprehensive study of the buildings the PDA owns and manages. The team worked closely with many in the Market community to develop a plan for the renovation of the buildings and their systems.

Early in this process, we developed a list of priorities that would guide the development of the design work. These priorities are listed below—and all were successfully accomplished during renovation.

1. Upgrade the electrical systems as needed to serve all of the Market’s needs now and into the foreseeable future.
2. Perform code-required structural upgrades and additional sensible and prudent upgrades to improve the safety of the Market’s buildings.
3. Provide sensible and cost-effective upgrades to mechanical systems to allow for the efficient environmental control of interior spaces.
4. Provide new accessible public restrooms of reasonable size and located appropriately.
5. Provide new elevators and other features as required to improve accessibility for disabled people and service to the Market’s buildings.

Thank You, Everyone!
We are thankful for the cooperation of everyone in the Market community. We also want to thank Seattle voters, who made this work possible. In November 2008, a taxpayer-funded property tax levy to update and replace the Market’s aging infrastructure was approved by more than 60% of those who voted in the election.

Post Renovation Publicity Designed to Thank Seattle and Spread Word about the Market

With construction 95% complete, the PDA is launching a communications campaign thanking Seattle voters for approving the property tax levy that funded the renovation and letting people know that although we are better than ever, it is still the same Market that they know and love.

We are proud of the fact that the project was completed on time and within budget, and are appreciative of the cooperation that we received from the Market community. Without the patience and perseverance of our merchants, vendors and residents, we would not have been able to achieve this success.

Here are some ways you may see us sharing the story of the renovation with the public:

Media Relations: We have invited all of the key media outlets in the area on a behind-the-scenes tour of the renovation. We expect to get good coverage from at least a few of the local television stations as well as the newspapers including the Seattle Times and the Puget Sound Business Journal.

Informational Signs: To highlight that much of the renovation work is hidden from view, we have created a series of 30 temporary signs that will be displayed throughout the Market from April 27 - May 28, helping people learn about what happened behind the walls and beneath the floors.

Facebook Video Promotion: A video featuring Market merchants thanking Seattle voters for their support of the renovation will be posted to YouTube and our Facebook page. People will be encouraged to share it with friends and be entered to win a Market gift card.

Partnerships: We are working with other organizations to have them help spread our message of a stronger, safer, more accessible Market.

Documents:

Photos: Renovation Progress and Projects

See renovation unfold! View renovation progress photos for the weeks listed below.

Phase III:
February 17, 2012
November 11, 2011 
November 4, 2011
September 16, 2011
September 1, 2011 

Phase II:
June 10, 2011
May 27, 2011
April 28, 2011
April 15, 2011
April 1, 2011
March 18, 2011
March 4, 2011
February 18, 2011
February 4, 2011
January 21, 2011
January 6, 2011