Seattle Press on Line - Pergola Returns

Pergola Returns

Aug 15, 2002 -- Seattle will welcome Pioneer Square's pergola back in its full splendor with a grand re-opening on Saturday, August 17, from 10:00 a.m. to noon at Pioneer Square Park, on the corner of First Avenue and Yesler Way.

Mayor Greg Nickels will be the keynote speaker at this event, which feature a period band, free souvenir photographs and free give-aways.

Nineteen months ago, the pergola crashed to the ground and shattered into thousand pieces after it was accidentally pulled down by a wayward truck. Seidelhuber Iron Works, however, restored the Pergola and final repairs to the historical structure are today taking place, as the glass roofing is installed and the touch-up painting is done.

The Pergola, originally built in 1909, sat above the (now closed) underground comfort station known as the most ornate restroom west of the Mississippi River. Today, the Pergola has an inner skeleton of 40,000 pounds of structural steel, covered by a shell of 65,000 pounds of cast iron.

Other speakers during the grand re-opening include State Representative Ed Murray, Councilmember Jan Drago, Parks and Recreation Superintendent Ken Bounds, Seidelhuber Iron Works Vice President Terry Seaman and Seattle Public Schools Vocational Director Shep Siegel.

For more information, please contact Parks Project Manager Dan Johnson at (206) 684-7149, e-mail dan.johnson@ci.seattle.wa.us, 800 Maynard Ave. S, 3rd Floor, Seattle, WA 98134.

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