Board Files

Series — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 0600-03

Scope and Contents Note

Correspondence and other documents relating to construction and contracting of projects overseen by the Board of Public Works. Documents for each project were stapled together and trifolded with a numbered jacket; the files are arranged in number order (roughly chronological). There are quite a few gaps in the numbers, particularly in the earlier files. A set of index cards (Record Series 0600-04) provides access to the files by name, subject, and location. 2 digitized images are available on our digital platform.

Dates

Creation: 1915-1978

Creator

Seattle (Wash.). Board of Public Works (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Records are open to the public.

Historical Note

The Board of Public Works was created to coordinate public works projects, to award construction contracts on behalf of the City, and to approve contractor's bills. The Board also ensured that prevailing wages were paid on City projects. The Board was originally establish by the 1890 City Charter as a citizen group. The Charter of 1896 reorganized the Board and thereafter its members included the superintendents of City departments directly involved in public works. The Board was abolished by City Charter amendment in 1992 and its functions were assumed by the Department of Administrative Services.