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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Upgrade begins at Pike Place

Seattle landmark getting $73 million infrastructure renovation

The first major renovation project in more than three decades is beginning at Seattle’s Pike Place Market, seen here in August 2007, and is expected to last three to four years.  (File Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press

SEATTLE – Work is getting under way on a $73 million renovation of Seattle’s Pike Place Market, and although most agree the infrastructure improvements are necessary some merchants worry about the effect on dwindling foot traffic.

Voters approved a property tax last year to upgrade bathrooms, heating, cooling, wiring, plumbing, stairwells and elevators.

The project is expected to take three to four years and will focus on basic but costly upgrades. It’s the first infrastructure upgrade in more than 30 years at the market, the Seattle landmark that draws 10 million visitors each year.

“This is infrastructure work. This isn’t gentrification of the market. This isn’t glamorous,” said James Haydu, spokesman for the Pike Place Market Preservation Development Authority.

Merchants and others in the lower floors of the market will be the most affected by the first phase of construction. A preschool had to be relocated and two longtime businesses, Yesterdaze and Old Friends Antiques, have left.

A few merchants told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer they are afraid construction and an eight-month shutdown of the Hillclimb staircase will cut into already diminished foot traffic.

“It’s a nightmare,” said Patrick Kerr, the artist behind the shop Pen & Ink Drawings.

At the Antique Touch, a 22-year-old store stuffed with fragile collectibles, employee John Boggs was also unhappy about the construction but figured the long-term benefits will outweigh the short-term inconvenience.

Officials say an elevator and improvements to the stairwell will bring more people to the 42 tenants of the lower floors, which Boggs said would be good.

Market officials said the work had to start in spring when the weather is drier, but construction won’t move inside the lower floors until after Labor Day.