Board of Public Works Scrapbooks

Series — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 0601-03

Scope and Contents note

Newspaper clippings relating to construction and improvement projects, city planning, and downtown development. Especially interesting is information relating to post-World War II housing and economic development.

Dates

Creation: 1944-1968

Creator

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

Conditions Governing Access note

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.