Denny Substation
| Denny Substation | |
|---|---|
 Under construction in April 2018 | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Electrical substation |
| Location | 1250 Denny Way Seattle, Washington |
| Coordinates | 47°37′08.8″N 122°19′53.8″W / 47.619111°N 122.331611°W |
| Construction started | 2016 |
| Estimated completion | 2018 |
| Cost | $210 million |
| Owner | Seattle City Light |
| Dimensions | |
| Diameter | 184 ft (56 m) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architecture firm | NBBJ |
| Engineer | Power Engineers |
| Structural engineer | KPFF Consulting Engineers |
| Main contractor | Walsh Construction |
The Denny Substation is a future electrical substation located in the South Lake Union neighborhood of Seattle, Washington and operated by Seattle City Light. The facility takes up a whole city block along Denny Way and will feature open space, a community center, interpretive exhibits and public art.
The substation was proposed in the early 2000s, during redevelopment of South Lake Union into a high-tech hub. A former Greyhound bus garage was acquired by Seattle City Light and demolished in 2014. Construction on the Denny Substation, including a street vacation to close part of Pontius Avenue, began in 2016 and is scheduled to be completed in 2018, at a cost of $210 million.
History
Historically, the South Lake Union neighborhood of Seattle, located to the north of downtown and east of the Seattle Center, was a manufacturing district whose electrical power was supplied by the Broad Street Substation.[1][2] After the failure of the Seattle Commons plan in the 1990s, which proposed a large city park over the neighborhood, the land was opened for development by Paul Allen's Vulcan Real Estate, which envisioned it as a hub for biotech and high tech firms.[3] Vulcan and Seattle City Light began talks of collaborating to build a $160 million substation in Interbay or South Lake Union in 2003,[4] expecting the additional high tech firms to put a strain on the Broad Street substation and neighborhood lines laid in the early 2000s.[5][6] In 2005, Seattle City Light determined that adding capacity at the Broad Street substation through new transformer banks would be sufficient for the area's needs until the mid-2010s.[2][7]
Seattle City Light proposed demolishing the Greyhound bus garage on Denny Way for its new substation in 2006,[8] with consultants recommending that the city acquire the site for $40 million as soon as possible.[7] The site was purchased by Seattle City Light in October 2008 and vacated by Greyhound in 2010.[9] From 2012 to 2014, Seattle City Light demolished the Greyhound facility and removed contaminated soils in preparation for construction.[10][11] During the period between environmental cleanup and the start of construction, the vacant lot was used for a series of temporary public art installations collectively called All Rise.[11][12]
Final approval for the project was granted in August 2015 by the Seattle City Council, who also approved the substation's unconventional design incorporating public benefits in exchange for a street vacation.[13] Walsh Construction was awarded the construction contract for the substation project, working alongside subcontractors Valley Electric, W.A. Chester and Transcon.[14] Construction of the substation began in May 2016,[15] and by the end of the year, the first outer walls were erected.[16] The substation's three transformers, each weighing 6.5 short tons (5,900 kg), were installed in 2017. The facade is scheduled to be finished in May 2018.[17] The Denny Substation was energized in April 2018 and is scheduled to be complete later in the year,[17][18] becoming the first new substation built by Seattle City Light in 30 years.[16][19]
Construction of the substation required long-term closures of a westbound lane on Denny Way and postponed the installation of a bus lane on the street.[20]
Design
The Denny Substation will feature an unusual design that incorporates public spaces and community amenities into an otherwise utilitarian structure.[21] The 110,000 sq ft (10,000 m2) substation, designed by architectural firm NBBJ, will be in the form of an acute trapezoid, with its longest side facing Denny Way.[22] The structure slopes inward, allowing for sunlight to reach the open spaces surrounding the substation.[23] The outer walls will use 35-foot-high (11 m) stainless steel panels (16 feet (4.9 m) above street level)[22] with a 1⁄4-mile (0.40 km) elevated pedestrian ramp to provide views of the cityscape and the substation's interior.[21][24]
In exchange for a street vacation that eliminated a block of Pontius Avenue, the Denny Substation project is required to include public benefits.[25] The substation has 44,000 sq ft (4,100 m2) of open space located on its western side, including an off-leash area for dogs and public art.[24][26] At the southeast corner of the facility will be a community space with a gallery space, exhibit hall, a small theater, and an educational center known as the "Energy Inspiration Center".[27] A King County Metro bus stop on Denny Way will be integrated into the substation, with enhanced shelters and real-time arrival information.[26][28] A sound art installation will be placed in a nearby alley, projecting the noise of rushing water in reference to the hydroelectric facilities located around the region.[23]
The substation will have two major pieces of public art, as part of the municipal percent for art program. Transforest by Lead Pencil Studio will consist of a 110-foot-tall (34 m) sculpture that combines the forms of an old-growth tree and a modern transmission tower. On the exterior walls of the substation will be Ned Khan's Switchwall, consisting of a strip of colored lights that change based on wind flows.[27][29]
Earlier design concepts featured a more standard substation with 40-foot-high (12 m) walls,[21] or incorporating the facility into the base of a high-rise building.[30] The chosen design was described as a "a celebration of the functionality" and called the "coolest electrical substation ever" by Slate.[31][32] Lead designer John Savo of NBBJ stated that they "[didn't] want it to be your grandfather's substation", desiring a facility that would "engage [with] the community, to make it an amenity and not a distraction".[33]
Cost
When first proposed in the 2000s, the substation project was estimated to cost up to $150 million because of space limits and mitigation.[7] The price rose to $174 million by 2014 after integration of public benefits and open space, as well as the relocation of the Amazon.com headquarters to nearby Denny Triangle.[34][35] After the completion of design work and environmental cleanup in 2015, the substation's cost was revised to $210 million because of unexpected soil contamination and the need for newer electrical equipment.[36][37]
The substation will be funded by Seattle City Light through regular rates as part of their six-year Strategic Plan.[37][38]
Specifications
The Denny Substation will have an initial capacity of 50 Megavolt-ampere (MVA), and could increase to 405 MVA with facilities expansions.[39] An underground distribution network, scheduled to be completed in 2020,[16] will direct electricity from the substation to the Denny Triangle and South Lake Union neighborhoods. The substation will be connected to the Massachusetts Substation in SoDo via a 115-kilovolt (kV) transmission line through Downtown Seattle.[40][41] The use of a gas-insulated switchgear in the Denny Substation will allow for a smaller footprint; the facility will also use solar cells to produce its electricity and a heat recovery system.[24][42][43]
References
- ^ Fiset, Louis (April 9, 2001). "Seattle Neighborhoods: Cascade and South Lake Union — Thumbnail History". HistoryLink. Archived from the original on February 17, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Mulady, Kathy (April 28, 2005). "City in for big electrical bill as South Lake Union grows". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Godden, Jean (April 1, 2013). "Where ya going, South Lake Union?". Crosscut.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Young, Bob; McOmber, J. Martin (March 9, 2003). "Powering up South Lake Union: City Light plans $200 million in upgrades". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Archived from the original on August 29, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Young, Bob (March 25, 2004). "Nickels will return $500 contribution from Vulcan". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Archived from the original on August 29, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Young, Bob; McOmber, J. Martin (February 12, 2004). "Underground lines at South Lake Union? It's a tangle of issues for city". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Archived from the original on August 29, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c Young, Bob (September 26, 2007). "City told to buy substation land now". The Seattle Times. p. B2. Archived from the original on August 29, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Miller, Brian (November 8, 2006). "Putting the Dog Down". Seattle Weekly. Archived from the original on January 24, 2007. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Aspect Consulting (July 8, 2010). Former Greyhound Maintenance Facility – Groundwater Remediation Performance and Groundwater Monitoring Report: Third Quarter 2010 (Report). Seattle City Light. Archived from the original on March 7, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite report}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Environmental Cleanup Complete at Future Denny Substation Site" (Press release). Seattle City Light. January 24, 2014. Archived from the original on March 8, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite press release}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Hudak, Courtney (March 25, 2014). "City Light serves up South Lake Union art, electric". Crosscut.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Romano, Tricia (October 24, 2014). "In a vacant lot on Denny, artistic endeavors flourish". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Archived from the original on March 7, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Seattle City Council (August 17, 2015). "Clerk File 314305". Office of the City Clerk of Seattle. Archived from the original on February 26, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Walsh Group will start substation next month". Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce. January 15, 2016. Archived from the original on April 2, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Denny Substation Program". Seattle City Light. Archived from the original on March 13, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c "Outer wall goes up for Denny Substation". Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce. December 30, 2016. Archived from the original on April 1, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Minnick, Benjamin (March 6, 2018). "It's not just a facade: Huge angled walls screen new $208M Denny Substation". Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce. Archived from the original on March 7, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|subscription=ignored (|url-access=suggested) (help) - ^ "Denny Substation Program Quarterly Report, 2nd Quarter 2018" (PDF). Seattle City Light. August 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
- ^ "Program Overview". Seattle City Light. Archived from the original on March 8, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Lindblom, Mike (October 5, 2017). "Bus-only lane on Denny Way is postponed". The Seattle Times. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
- ^ a b c Stinson, Liz (July 11, 2016). "We Want To Hang Out At This Electrical Substation. No, Really". Wired. Archived from the original on December 6, 2016. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Seattle City Light Denny Substation: Bold Design, Subtle Substation". NBBJ. Archived from the original on March 7, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Sadick, Barbara (April 14, 2017). "A New Look for Urban Utility Structures". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on June 4, 2017. Retrieved June 5, 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c "Substation Design". Seattle City Light. Archived from the original on March 8, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Denny Substation Work Begins April 4 with One-Block Closure of Pontius Avenue North" (Press release). Seattle City Light. March 29, 2016. Archived from the original on March 1, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite press release}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Denny Substation Project: Designing a One-of-a-Kind Substation" (PDF). Seattle City Light. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 25, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Fesler, Stephen (July 29, 2015). "Seattle City Light's Denny Substation". The Urbanist. Archived from the original on March 1, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Denny Substation 90% Design and Public Benefits" (PDF). Seattle Design Commission. February 19, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 1, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Artwork at the Denny Substation" (PDF). Seattle City Light. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 28, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Young, Bob (April 15, 2013). "High-voltage debate about cost of next City Light substation". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Archived from the original on March 1, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Ferris, David (March 15, 2016). "An electrical substation to delight the senses". E&E News. Archived from the original on March 1, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Hohenadel, Kristin (September 15, 2016). "Seattle Is Building the Coolest Electrical Substation Ever". Slate. Archived from the original on March 1, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Dunne, Carey (October 7, 2014). "World's Coolest Electrical Substation Has A Track And A Dog Park". FastCo.Design. Archived from the original on March 1, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "$174M substation designed to be a good neighbor in SLU". Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce. November 19, 2014. Archived from the original on May 3, 2016. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Stiles, Marc (April 1, 2013). "Amazon's growth drives up cost of electrical substation by 48 percent". Puget Sound Business Journal. Archived from the original on March 7, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "City to start construction in 2016 on $210M Denny Way substation". Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce. July 17, 2015. Archived from the original on September 19, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Costs Rise for Future Denny Substation" (Press release). Seattle City Light. June 29, 2015. Archived from the original on March 7, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite press release}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Denny Substation Project FAQ" (PDF). Seattle City Light. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 31, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Denny Substation Project Final Environmental Impact Statement (PDF) (Report). Seattle City Light. January 22, 2015. p. 3-3. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 17, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite report}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Future Transmission". Seattle City Light. Archived from the original on March 8, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Denny Substation Project: Keeping Pace With Seattle's Power Needs" (PDF). Seattle City Light. November 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 17, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Seattle Design Commission Approved Meeting Minutes, June 6, 2013" (PDF). Seattle Design Commission. June 6, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 18, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Denny Substation: A Look Inside" (PDF). Seattle City Light. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 21, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
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