It was pretty much a done deal before, but as of Monday, it's official—MOHAI will be making a move to the Armory:
The proposal is to renovate the former Naval Reserve Center (aka Armory) for use as a regional history museum with an emphasis on maritime heritage. The Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) would relocate from their existing facility in the Montlake neighborhood for the new facility in South Lake Union Park as part of the Maritime Heritage Partnership. Other members of the Maritime Heritage partnership are the Center for Wooden Boats, Northwest Seaport and the Virginia V Foundation. On behalf of the Partnership, MOHAI will enter into a lease with the City of Seattle for long-term use of this building, as well as the surrounding wharfs and associated moorage facilities. The building, wharfs and surrounding grounds are all part of South Lake Union Park and are managed by Seattle Parks and Recreation.
As noted above the Amory building has been nominated for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The building was nominated for Landmark status in accordance with the City of Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance (SMC25.12.35). At the February 4, 2009 meeting of Seattle Landmark Preservation Board the nomination was approved. Proposed structural changes are entirely within the foot print of the existing structure on site. They would involve internal, structural alterations and increased height of the top (third story) with a new roof line and increased wall height. Issued plans at DPD, from earlier permits, show the third story covering approximately half the building. Currently, the top story covers most, if not all, of the building footprint. The proposal would have a third floor covering the entire building foot print.
