January 22, 2003

Design Detailings: Bench auction to benefit arboretum

One-of-a-kind outdoor seating returns to downtown Seattle in January and February with the silent auction of 15 lawn and garden benches at two locations.

The third annual Take a Seat auction, benefiting the Washington Park Arboretum, features benches made of new, re-used and found materials. Benches, created by gardeners, landscape designers, architects and craftspeople, range from traditional to fashionable, from practical to whimsical. Designs include an elaborate sailboat bench and a tea bench-table topped by a colorful glass mosaic.

Benches are on display throughout Pacific Place until Feb. 15 and at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show at Washington State Convention & Trade Center from Feb. 18 to 23. Silent bids may be submitted at each location. Bidding closes at noon on Feb. 23. For information on Arboretum events and programs, call (206) 543-8800 or visit http://www.arboretumfoundation.org.

Public agency managers give '03 outlook

American Society for Engineering Management tonight hosts a forum featuring leading public agency managers from around the Puget Sound region. The managers handle their agency’s consultant roster and on-call services programs. They will share information regarding their programs, policies and anticipated 2003 workloads, as well as offer insight into their consultant on-call/roster processes.

The event is an opportunity for administrators, managers and engineers, and for all those in the consulting community -- principals, managers and marketers -- to learn how some of the leading agencies in western Washington manage their rosters and programs. It is also an opportunity to find out what is coming up for consultants in 2003 and beyond, and how and when these various projects will be handled.

The panel includes moderator Clive Shearer, a management consultant and Daily Journal of Commerce columnist since 1984; Neil Thibert, drainage and wastewater system integrator, Seattle Public Utilities; Matt Nolan, supervising engineer, Road Services Division, King County Department of Transportation; Mike Mattar, Design Division manager, city of Bellevue; and Frank Davidson, project manager, Facilities Development, Port of Tacoma.

The event will be held from 4:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Rock Salt Steak House at Latitude 47, 1232 Westlake Ave. N. The program runs from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Cost is $30. For information, contact Mohammed Kashani at (425) 388-6493. For reservations, call Shannon & Wilson at (206) 695-6670.

Freiheit & Ho does Albertsons makeover

Freiheit & Ho Architects has designed the remodel for Albertsons Lake Stevens marketplace store, scheduled to be complete in May. The store is located at 303 91st Ave. N.E., in Lake Stevens. The building is undergoing a major remodel of the existing 50,724 square feet to introduce new and expanded departments. All work is designed to be completed in stages to allow full operation of the store.

The remodel includes a new decor package, with new interior finishes, accent lighting and signage, along with the addition of a new photo center. Design team members with Freiheit & Ho Architects include: CSHQA, electrical engineers; McClure Engineering, mechanical engineers; Protection Consultants, Inc., Fire Protection engineers and Rex Harrison, Structural Engineer. The general contractor is Ebenal General, Inc.