Georgetown Steam Plant is getting a refresh

The Georgetown Steam Plant, an iconic piece of both Seattle art and engineering history, has been getting some upgrades to its 1907 building.

Seattle City Light, which took over operations from 1951 until the plant was decommissioned in 1970, still owns the facility and operates a monthly tour through the space’s industrial aesthetic. But the goal is to clean the place up, extend its life, and eventually operate more than a tour out of the long-dormant steam plant. The latest boost to the effort is a $500,000 federal grant through the Save America’s Treasures program, distributed by the National Parks Service, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Rehabilitation work, says City Light, includes removing layers of paint, repairing concrete to stabilize the structure, and, eventually, repairs to the windows and doors, plus a new roof. More detailed plans show the extent of the envelope’s concrete cracks—and other wear and tear, like spills, rust, and deteriorated railings.