Safeco Field Milestones
Journal staff
Though it was on a fast track, Safeco Field was three years in construction from final site selection to tossing the first pitch. Here's a list of some of the milestones of the project, with links to some relevant stories we've written about this amazing construction feat over the past few years.
Sept. 9, 1996 Site selection finalized.
October 1996 First test piles driven.
March 1997 Demolition of buildings along First Avenue South.
March 8, 1997 Groundbreaking.
March 31, 1997 First pile driven.
October 1997 Construction starts on main concourse.
December 1997 First steel arrives and is placed on the main stadium bowl.
March 1998 First portion of runway truss spanning railroad tracks put in place.
May 1998 Construction reaches half way mark. First bogey delivered and placed.
May 28, 1998 Construction of first roof panel begins.
June 1998 Construction of first roof truss begins.
July 29, 1998 Topping out ceremony last piece of structural steel put in place.
August 1998 Seating platform completed. First roof panel completed.
Sept. 14, 1998 First roof panel moved 150 feet off staging platform over field. Construction of second roof panel under way.
Oct. 26, 1998 Excavation of playing surface begins.
December 1998 Construction of final roof panel begins.
Jan. 7, 1999 Installation of state-of-the-art playing field drainage and irrigation system begins.
March 1999 LED scoreboard installed, the most comprehensive system in baseball.
April 28, 1999 Last piece of structural steel placed on roof.
May 1999 Installation of 47,000 seats complete.
May 24, 1999 Turf installation begins.
June 1999 Retractable roof is fully operational.
July 15, 1999 First game scheduled Mariners versus the San Diego Padres.
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