Seattle Justice Center Groundbreaking

Former Mayor Paul Schell officially initiated construction on the City's new Seattle Justice Center on July 19th, 2000 when he scooped the first shovel of dirt at groundbreaking ceremonies. Not content to wield the traditional golden shovel, former Mayor Schell climbed on board a huge track hoe, gingerly manipulated several levers to swing the shovel arm around, and then carefully lowered the shovel bucket into the dirt, ceremoniously opening a new era in City building. About 200 City employees and other interested people attended the groundbreaking.

Council Member Richard Conlin, Presiding Judge Jean Rietschel, and former Acting Chief Herb Johnson were also featured speakers at the groundbreaking. Four Court employees with 30 or more years of City service, Helen Black, Sally Adams, Toni Brooks, and Barbara Robertson, joined with Judge Rietschel as part of the Court's official delegation. The employees represented a bridge between the Court's past and the future in the new building. After the formal ceremonies, everyone present was given an opportunity to turn a shovel of dirt.

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