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Rehabilitation projects completed at three high rises

SEATTLE --September 20, 2002--Recently completed projects at three of SHA's 28 public housing high rise buildings represent exciting steps forward in SHA's plan to address deferred maintenance and improve the quality of life for residents. SHA recently completed extensive exterior repairs to Beacon Tower and Olive Ridge and refurbished the interior at Harvard Court.

The public housing high rises, with over 3,000 studio, one- and two-bedroom units, house low-income households, primarily the elderly and people with disabilities. They were built in the early 1970's and are beginning to show their age. These projects, and the many to follow in coming years, will ensure the long-term viability of this important housing resource.
 

The 108-unit Beacon Tower, visible on the Beacon Hill skyline from many areas in Seattle, has suffered from leaky windows and water intrusion problems for years. Before the exterior repair project began, about 30 units were uninhabitable due to water damage. Correcting these problems on this 15-story building required the collaboration of SHA's construction division, GGLO Architects and Weiss-Janey consultants.

All the windows were replaced with vinyl, energy-efficient "tilt-and-turn" windows.  Dry-vit, a waterproof outer coating was applied to the entire building exterior, allowing the drab concrete structure to be painted an attractive gold color.Scaffolding and wrap enveloped the building for the seven months Triple D Construction needed to complete the work.  The project also included landscaping, several new trees and a trellis over the front door. Residents put up with the inconvenience and discomfort with good spirits. They will celebrate with their neighbors during the second annual paper airplane contest on Saturday, September 28.  

Olive Ridge, a 106-unit building on Capitol Hill, also had several uninhabitable units because of water damage.  The same consultant team put together a different design solution for this building -- a stucco exterior and replacement of concrete decorative elements with lightweight, elegant metal ones.

 

Olive Ridge on Capitol Hill. Photo courtesy of  Frank Laubach

New windows and insulation were also part of the rehab project.  The contractor, Steel Corp., worked on the building for about seven months, well into warm summer weather.  Residents came outside and cheered when the wrapping finally came off and they could open their new windows again.  They will celebrate with a barbecue in October.

The City's Office of Housing weatherization program funded the window replacement and insulation for both projects.    

SHA staff evaluates the new interior of the community room at Harvard Court.

SHA has also begun an "interior finishes plan" for the high rises. As 30 year old common area components wear out, SHA is replacing 1970s color schemes with updated floors and finishes, designed by Mercedes Fernandez, with the goal of reducing the institutional look and feel of the buildings.  Harvard Court, an 80-unit building off Broadway, is the first in which the interior finishes plan has been completed on the ground floor. In addition to clean, colorful new floors and new lighting in the entry, residents can now enjoy a refurbished community room with new kitchen and matching, comfortable furniture. 

Seattle Housing Authority • 120 Sixth Avenue N. • P. O. Box 19028 • Seattle, WA 98109-1028 • (206) 615-3300