Overview of the Collection
Historical NoteThe Board of Public Works, originally established in the 1890 City Charter as a citizen group, was created to coordinate and handle contracting for public works projects. The Board also ensured that prevailing wage was paid on City projects. The Charter of 1896 reorganized the Board, and its members included the superintendents of City departments directly involved in public works. Members have included directors of Engineering, City Light, Water, Parks, and Administrative Services. In 1968 the Underground Wiring Program was placed under supervision of the Board of Public Works. Resolution 21340 stipulated that the Departments of Lighting and Engineering, under the supervision of the Board of Public Works, should coordinate the placing of overhead facilities (such as electric and telephone wires) underground. The Board was abolished by Charter amendment in 1992 and its functions absorbed by the Department of Administrative Services (DAS). DAS was eliminated in 1997 and its functions assumed by the Executive Department. Content DescriptionAnnual reports for the Board of Public Works date from 1908 to 1985. There are only two reports before 1947: 1908 and 1928. The reports beginning in 1947 are a good source for statistical information; some reports consist almost entirely of statistics. Information on the types of contracts awarded by the City is available in these reports. They also provide an overview of the main areas of development in the City, as they list addresses for Local Improvement Districts and general improvements relating to paving, water mains, and sewers, and for other general improvements. The reports also list the members of the Board. Underground Wiring Reports are included and cover the years 1968 to 1976; the 1970 and 1972 reports are not included. Reports from the late 1970s contain information on activities related to cable communications. There is also discussion, in the 1970s and 1980s, of the Board’s work towards more effective Women and Minority Business Enterprise utilization. Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Access :
Records are open to the public. Preferred Citation :[Item and date], Board of Public Works Annual Reports, Record Series 1802-F3. Box [number], Folder [number]. Seattle Municipal Archives. Administrative InformationDetailed Description of the CollectionThe following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
SubjectsThis collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.
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