Laurelhurst Blog: Good By Laurelon Terrace Condominiums

Laurelon Terrace Condominiums are in the process of being dismantled and demolished.

The Seattle Fire Department has been conducting drills and training excersises on the site resulting in gaping holes in the rooves. The training, which is to continue through the holidays, consists of laying fire hoses, forced entries, and searching and ventilating the rooves. Smoke machines, with fake smoke, are being used to help simulate a smoky environment.

According to the Seattle Children's Hospital Construction Blog, the removal of hazardous materials from the site has been going on since late October and should be completed this week. Potentially hazardous materials that are being removed include asbestos, pipe insulation and fittings, flooring, window putty, boiler insulation and contaminated soils. When the removal is complete the site will then be tested and cleared before additional work is started.

The blog also states that over 100 fixtures and appliances have been removed for re-use. Habitat for Humanity will visit the site to survey the buildings for any additional materials they can re-use, like wood flooring, casework and plumbing fixtures.

Also last week tree specialists began the process of relocating and recycling the trees on the property. "Large trees like the poplars along the plaza walkway will be removed and sent to a local sustainable furniture company to reclaim the wood for future use as wall covering, trim, flooring and furniture," the blog says.

Grounds Manager Jeff Hughes, writes in a blog entry, "We've been working for almost three years to plan for every plant on the property. Every tree, shrub, and plant has been evaluated and inventoried. We know precisely which ones we’ll be able to move, which will stay where they are, and those that will go to a holding spot for later population of the new landscape.

"Sadly, there are a few trees we can’t save. There’s no point attempting to move something that won’t make it, sometimes a tree is too fragile to withstand a move, so we know we shouldn’t try. Fungus, rot, insect damage, tree scarring or disease can limit a tree’s ability to be moved."

To learn more about trees that will stay or be moved on the property check here. The remaining wood from trees will be chipped for landscaping use.

The two largest trees scheduled for transplant, a 15-inch diameter oak with a 26-foot crown and another 15-inch diameter oak with a 24-foot crown will be moved by a tree-moving specialist from Texas.

The first couple of weeks of the month, some of the poplar trees that ran along the sidewalk bordering the Train and Giraffe buildings and the Laurelon Terrace site were removed. Tree specialists climbed the trees and removed limbs to within 30 feet of the ground. The limbs were taken offsite to be chipped and then returned to be used as mulch on site. The lower 30 feet of the trees weretaken intact to a mill where they will be converted into wall paneling and ceiling boards.

The removal of the remainder of the poplar trees, the blog says, is delayed until all electrical utility relocation has been completed. The poplars will remain until at least the end of March when they can safely be removed and more space is available on the site.

Also going is " site preparation for the first phase of our growth," the blog says. This includes separting and placing into containers for recycling all metal studs, rebar, structural steel, ductwork, piping, sheet metal, wiring and conduit, concrete and masonry products, wood timbers, framing members, sheathing and decking. These materials will be taken to local recycling facilities for re-use.

"Children’s plans to recycle over 95% of all materials removed during demolition. This includes the concrete foundations which will be crushed and re-used on-site for a haul road, material staging area and structural fill," the blog says.

For questions or concerns there is a 24-hour message hotline at 206-987-7744 or you can e-mail construction@seattlechildrens.org.