Feds chip in millions for King Street Station face lift

October 28, 2010 @ 5:32 pm (Updated: 1:37 pm - 3/28/11 )

By TIM HAECK
KIRO Radio

An infusion of more than $18 million gives a boost to the ongoing renovation of Seattle's historic King Street Station.

"That's a significant announcement for the city because it will fully fund our second phase of renovation," said city Transportation Department spokesman Rick Sheridan.

The money is Seattle's share of $2.4 billion in high-speed intercity passenger rail service funding announced by the U.S. Transportation Department.

Sheridan says the money goes to continue work on the interior of the 100-year-old building.

"Seismic strengthening of the structure, installing better operational spaces for our key tenant, Amtrak and of course doing restoration work to ensure that the structure shows off the glamor that is King Street Station," Sheridan said.

Sheridan said a lot of work is underway right now on the rail depot, which is considered a key West Coast transportation hub.

"You can come off commuter rail or Amtrak long-distance rail at King Street Station and then transit very easily to LINK light rail, city buses and, in the near future, the First Hill street cars," points out Sheridan.

The city of Seattle acquired the station in 2008, according to a press release, and has already spent $11 million on improvements and restoration, including replacing a leaking roof with a historically accurate terracotta tile roof and repairing the 245-foot clock tower.

The latest work on King Street Station should wrap by the end of 2012.

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