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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Mayor pledges to restore historic King Street Station
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
5/10/2006 4:00:00 PM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alex Fryer (206) 684-8358
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Mayor pledges to restore historic King Street Station
Nickels sees bright future for century-old transportation hub
SEATTLE - Marking King Street Station’s 100th anniversary today, Mayor
Greg Nickels said the city is committed to preserving the landmark building
and ensuring that it remains a vital transportation hub and portal to Seattle
for the century to come.
Nickels said he will soon announce a plan to restore the historic train station
to its past glory and make the investments needed to serve a new generation
of train, light rail and bus riders.
“This is an exciting time of change as new jobs, new buildings and new
residents shape Seattle’s future,” Nickels said. “Which is
why now, it is more important than ever to preserve and restore those special
places that embody the heritage and history of this great city.”
Built during the age of steam engines and designed by the same architects
behind New York’s famous Grand Central Station, King Street Station’s
opening in 1906 marked a coming of age for the young city.
In the years that followed, as online encyclopedia HistoryLink.org noted,
the station provided the first impression of Seattle for countless visitors,
immigrants, dignitaries and even presidents.
Today the brick building with the distinctive clock tower still serves thousands
of commuters, residents and tourists. Sound Transit’s “Sounder” commuter
rail line uses the station, as does Amtrak’s Cascades, Coast Starlight
and Empire Builder lines. It will be within a block of Sound Transit’s
Link light rail line station.
“(King Street Station) is certainly worthy of being restored to its
original glory,” said Walt Crowley, of HistoryLink.org. “If you
pair this building with the restored Union Station next door, it really creates
a unique ensemble of both historic transportation facilities and modern transportation
services.”
Washington’s Department of Transportation is overseeing an initial phase
of restoration. The city is working with the state, Sound Transit and the building’s
owner, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railways, on the project. The work includes
new restrooms, a bigger lobby and waiting area, improved ticketing and baggage
facilities, new train arrival and departure display, new way-finding signage
to the surrounding neighborhoods, new roof, exterior cleaning and safety and
security improvements.
Nickels is developing plans for the further restoration and revitalization
of the building and surrounding area to better serve the transportation needs
of the city, which he will announce later this year.
A series of events in May and June will celebrate the history of King Street
Station. For more information, go to http://www.kingstreetcentennial.org/
Visit the mayor’s web site at www.seattle.gov/mayor. Get the mayor’s
inside view on efforts to promote transportation, public safety, economic opportunity
and healthy communities by signing up for The Nickels Newsletter at www.seattle.gov/mayor/newsletter_signup.htm
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Office of the Mayor
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