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	Aug. 13, 2004 Courthouse Seismic Project comes to a successful close King County Executive Ron Sims today announces that the Courthouse Seismic Project has been completed. The $86 million seismic project on the 88 year old structure was completed in 22 months as scheduled and on budget. The Courthouse Seismic Project was part of a conglomeration of projects in the courthouse totaling $105 million. In addition to the seismic strengthening of the structure, fire alarm and sprinkler systems have been installed on all floors as well as an upgraded heating and air conditioning system. All of this work was accomplished while the building remained occupied. Sims said the successful completion allows King County to occupy a safe and strong building. As part of the work, the foundation of the King County Courthouse was made stronger for the new structural elements on the floors above. Above the basement, diagonal braces were installed on the north and south perimeter walls to both strengthen the structure as well as assist in dissipating energy in the event of an earthquake. The braces utilize recent technology developed in Japan that is just now being introduced into the building codes. The King County Courthouse was the first project utilizing this technology in the State of Washington. In the interior walls, extensive steel and concrete beams were added along with fluid viscous dampers to dissipate the energy generated by earthquake forces. These dampers absorb energy similar to shock absorbers in a car, but on a much larger scale. In addition to these improvements to the primary structure, brittle building contents such as clay tile walls have been either removed or braced to allow safe egress from the building in the event of an earthquake. The Courthouse Seismic Project Team has worked hard to meet this important completion milestone. The King County Courthouse Seismic Project Team includes: The Seneca Real Estate Group, Development Manager; Skanska USA Building, Inc., General Contractor; Coughlin Porter Lundeen, Structural Engineer; Stickney Murphy, Architect; and Flack + Kurtz, Mechanical/Electrical Engineer. With work now complete, King County prepares to move tenants back onto the last floors that were under construction for the seismic project. A separate but related project, the courthouse lobby renovation is currently underway and will be complete in February of 2005. King County would like to thank the tenants, Superior Court, District Court, Sheriff’s Office, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, along with numerous other county offices and the public for their flexibility throughout the duration of this project and for their continued patience as the lobby renovation is completed. Updated: Aug. 14, 2004 Executive's home Executive's news Executive's site map | E-mail the Executive King County | Executive | News | Services | Comments | Search Links to external sites do not constitute endorsements by King County. By visiting this and other King County web pages, you expressly agree to be bound by terms and conditions of the site. The details.