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Langston Hughes
Parks and Green Spaces Levy
Project Information

Location: 104 17th Ave S, Seattle WA 98144

Project Status

October 2009
Parks is working on the design phase of this project. We are on schedule to close the building on January 2010 and start construction soon after.

The plans have been refined and documents are being compiled so this project may go out to bid by January 2010.

LOCATION	104 17th Ave S, Seattle WA 98144
BUDGET	$2.5 million
SCHEDULE	Planning:Through June 2009 Design: 7/2009 - 12/2009 Construction:1/1/2010 Completion:12/1/2010

Project Description

History

Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center is housed in what was formerly the Jewish Synagogue of Chevra Bikur Cholim. The building is designated as a historical landmark subject to protection by city ordinance. The building was designed by B. Marcus Priteca, a well known Seattle architect. Priteca's plans were completed in early 1913 and in August 1915 the synagogue was dedicated. The building is a commanding polygonal structure of tan brick the white terra cotta detailing.

The Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center was established in the building in 1969, and became a program of the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department in 1972.
The primary space in the building is the theater space, which has fixed seats with a capacity of 285 individuals. Within the lower part of the original building is a large activity hall which can accommodate almost 300 individuals.

Construction History

A single story addition to the south side of the building was constructed in 1961. In 1971, a second story was added to the south addition. At the same time, the interior of the auditorium was renovated, replacing balcony area with seating. Another addition was added in 1991 on the east side of the auditorium, together with seismic retrofit improvements. A final addition was added in 2003 to the southwest corner of the auditorium. In general, the collective additions provide administrative offices and support spaces for the center, and provides barrier free access to the performing arts theater. The building is currently used year-round, functioning as an important cultural resource for the community.

New Seismic Upgrades Proposed

A study was completed in 2008, and provided a performance based seismic evaluation documenting the likely performance of the building during a seismic event. The study identified a number of deficiencies, and provided a series of recommendations for improving the seismic performance of the building.

New Electrical Service Upgrades Proposed

The same 2008 study identified the need for additional electrical power to accommodate theater operations. The recommendation of this study was for a new 1,200 amp electrical service to be installed, replacing the existing 800 amp service.

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Community Participation

All interested members of the community are invited to attend a public meeting to be scheduled at the end of May, and share their thoughts and concerns about the planned seismic upgrade.

Notification will be sent out soon announcing the exact time, date, and location of the planned meeting.

Public Meeting 5/27/09

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