The courthouse, a six-story, concrete frame building constructed in 1914, was damaged in the earthquake that ratted Puget Sound last February. . A 1929 addition brought the building to its current height of approximately 215 feet and created six more stories of courtroom and office space. It is constructed of concrete beams and columns.
The seismic retrofit will be accomplished through the use of a passive damping system that will dissipate the energy of the earthquake by acting like a shock absorber. In addition, code required fire/life safety system upgrades to the existing courthouse will be made.
"Our job is to ensure public safety, and, with this project, we can make sure every person who comes here as a juror, as a member of the public or those associated with the courts can do so knowing the building is safe," says King County Executive Ron Sims.
While the ceiling space is open and the building partially unoccupied, a number of planned capital improvement projects will be completed concurrently with the seismic project, such as upgrades to the HVAC system, telecommunications infrastructure and court room security.
The overall plan for the retrofit project will allow all court and Sheriff related activities to continue uninterrupted on a day-to-day basis throughout the project The Third Avenue entrance to the building will remain open throughout the project, and, without exception, every office on floors one through nine in the Courthouse will be relocated at least once during the project. This may include some temporary, transitional leasing of outside space during the project. Work will begin on the first and second floors of the Courthouse.
The seismic retrofit project has a $60 million guaranteed construction cost and is being funded through 20-year councilmanic bonds. The Seneca Real Estate Group has joined King County to assist in negotiations with contractors and as development manager to oversee the construction project.
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