February 14, 2017

Saint Mark's Cathedral to start $10.5M rehab

Rendering from Olson Kundig [enlarge]

In April, Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral on north Capitol Hill is set to begin a $10.5 million project to renovate and repair the structure.

The team includes Olson Kundig, design; Turner Construction Co.,construction; and Spectrum Development Solutions, project management.

The cathedral is at 1245 Tenth Ave. E., on a bluff above Interstate 5.

Construction of the “beacon on the hill” began in 1928, but was halted after the stock market crash of 1929, and never fully completed, Saint Mark's said in a press release.

The enormous concrete walls were never meant to be exposed to the elements, it said, and the cheap depression-era glass windows were not meant to be permanent. In 2012, pieces of concrete began to break away from the exterior, posing a safety risk.

Construction will run from mid-April through mid-December. The goal is to secure the cathedral's structural integrity and improve accessibility.

The exterior walls will be sealed and clad in limestone. Windows will be replaced with energy-efficient ones designed to match the older models in style and color. Also, the roof will be repaired and an elevator will be installed. A new east facade and entry will be created.

Saint Mark's has raised almost $8 million through a capital campaign launched in 2014. Major donors include The Cathedral Foundation of the Diocese of Olympia, and The Norcliffe Foundation.

Information about making a donation is at www.saintmarks.org/livingstones.