The Facelift You Didn't See: Pike Place Market's Big Renovation

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April 27, 2012
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The Facelift You Didn't See: Pike Place Market's Big Renovation

New Changes, Same Look for Seattle's Favorite Market

SEATTLE, April 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Thanks to the overwhelming support of Seattle residents, Pike Place Market was able to tackle a $68.6 million renovation to preserve the iconic 105-year-old public market. Major componentsof the three-phased construction project finished on time and on budget in April 2012. In honor of this accomplishment, special installations will be featured throughout the Market from April 26 through Memorial Day, allowing the public to learn more about the benefits of the renovations. As part of the "Thank You, Seattle" appreciation campaign, people can win fun prizes by visiting the Pike Place Market Facebook page.

In the fall of 2008, Seattle voters passed a six-year tax levy to raise funds for critical repairs and renovations to the historic institution.

"We're grateful to Seattle residents, our tenants, shop owners, vendors, and community partners: we couldn't have done this without them," said Ben Franz-Knight, Executive Director of the Pike Place Market Preservation & Development Authority (PDA). "Thanks to both public and private support, the Market will be safer, stronger, and more accessible for the future. And, we listened to you?most changes are barely noticeable. It still looks like the same Market that you know and love."

Renovations focused on critical infrastructure improvements that: make the Market less susceptible to earthquakes; upgrade plumbing, electrical, heating, and cooling systems; and offer new publicamenities including new elevators and restrooms. In addition to increasing safety, upgrades also optimize overall energy use.

"The Pike Place Market PDA didn't opt for just a quick-fix; they were comprehensive and conscientious, and together as a team we completed major renovations by the three-year anniversary of the groundbreaking," said Dan Kahn of Turner Construction. "They made every effort to be careful with investments, mindful of the Market heritage, and selected systems and materials that would yield benefits for decades."

Renovations: Building a Stronger and Safer Market
Changes included:

    --  Critical seismic and structural improvements for earthquake safety in
        the Corner Market, Sanitary Market, Economy Market, and Triangle Market
        Buildings.
    --  Upgrades to electrical systems including two new electrical vaults and
        service upgrades to meet safety codes, and allow for future
        improvements.
    --  A new central plant supplying state-of-the-art heating and cooling
        systems that optimize energy efficiency in the LaSalle, Leland, Fairley,
        Economy Market, Corner Market, Sanitary Market, Triangle Market, and
        First and Pine Buildings.
    --  New public restrooms in the Sanitary Market Building and the Soames-Dunn
        Building, doubling capacity for public bathroom facilities.
    --  New public elevators at the Hillclimb, Corner Market Building, and in
        the Economy Market Building provide better access for disabled people,
        seniors, and families with strollers.
    --  Major repairs/replacement of plumbing, windows, doors, stairs, fire
        suppression systems, and flooring in all buildings.
    --  An expanded loading dock.
    --  Reconfigured public spaces and additional public seating.
    --  Improved entry from Western Avenue.

With the exception of the Hillclimb and the new public bathrooms and elevators, most upgrades are inconspicuous and blend in with the original look and feel of the Market. To illustrate many of the improvements, the PDA created a special temporary installation throughout the Market allowing the public to learn more about the changes.  For more on the preservation and upgrade details, visit: http://pikeplacemarket.s3.amazonaws.com/PDFs/ProjectSummary.pdf.

Renovations Boost Economic Renewal and Investments in Local Business
In addition to maintaining the Market, the renovation project created 225 new local jobs during a time of economic downturn. Despite construction, retail businesses in the Market saw a 2 percent revenue increase in 2011 compared to the previous year, as new workers shopped and used vendor services.  Additionally, sales in 2010 were up 4 percent above 2009.  The PDA's long-term construction plan supported these increases by mitigating impacts and allowing businesses to remain open during repairs.

"The Market really worked hand-in-hand with us to help us stay open," said Dan Bugge, owner of Matt's in the Market. "Seismic bracing was added to our shop to make us earthquake safe. But, they had to close the entrance to our shop to put it up. The Market created an alternative entrance behind our kitchen, so people could still come to our restaurant during construction. And, now that the renovations are done, we've seen an increase in customers.  We got a new elevator in the building, which has improved the foot traffic to our restaurant."

About Pike Place Market
Founded by the City of Seattle in 1907, Pike Place Market attracts 10 million visitors a year and is internationally recognized as America's premier farmers market. One of the most popular destinations in Washington state, the Market is home to more than 200 year-round commercial businesses, 200 craftspeople, and approximately 100 farmers who rent table space by the day.

In 1973, the City of Seattle created the Pike Place Market Preservation & Development Authority (PDA) to own and manage the Market's 14 buildings and 9-acre campus. The public corporation works to preserve the traditions and diversity of the neighborhood. For more information on Pike Place Market or related organizations, please visit: http://www.pikeplacemarket.org.

For photos contact: kelly.lindsay@pikeplacemarket.org.

SOURCE  Pike Place Market PDA

Pike Place Market PDA

CONTACT: Andrea Wedderburn, +1-206-462-6396, awedderburn@prrbiz.com, for Pike Place Market

Web Site: http://www.pikeplacemarket.org

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