June 7, 2000
UW Newman Center breaks ground
The Newman Center and Prince of Peace Chapel will start construction on Friday just north of the University of Washington campus, at the corner of Northwest 45th Street and 20th Avenue, following a groundblessing ceremony led by Archbishop Alex Brunett of Seattle's Catholic Diocese.
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The UW Newman Center is one of 200 Catholic outreach centers located at state universities around the country. The UW center is one of the oldest in the country and has operated in 10 different buildings since it was established in 1908. Planning and fundraising efforts began in 1993 for the $4.5 million project, with money coming from students, alumni, parents and nearby parishes.
Designed by Olson Sundberg Architects, the 8,000-square-foot building combines a 250-seat chapel with classrooms, office space, a student lounge, library and kitchen. It serves as a student meeting place, social center and place of worship for Catholic students and others with no religious affiliation. Father Thomas DeMan, director of the Newman Center since 1991, said about 600 young adults use the center as their place of worship.
The new building will replace the center's existing headquarters, a former fraternity house, and four older residential houses that front on 20th Avenue.
Charter Construction of Seattle is the contractor. Construction should be completed in a year, with dedication expected for the late spring of 2001. During construction, the center will be located at Covenant House on 19th Avenue, one block west of the new building site.