View XML QR Code

Board of Public Works Annual Reports, 1908-1991

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Seattle (Wash.). City Clerk
Title
Board of Public Works Annual Reports
Dates
1908-1991 (inclusive)
1947-1991 (bulk)
Quantity
0.8 cubic ft., (2 boxes)
Collection Number
1802-F3
Summary
Annual reports for the Seattle Board of Public Works. Reports provide statistical information, an overview of important areas of City development, and names of Board members.
Repository
Seattle Municipal Archives
Seattle Municipal Archives
Office of the City Clerk
City of Seattle
PO Box 94728
98124-4728
Seattle, WA
Telephone: 2062337807
Fax: 2063869025
archives@seattle.gov
Access Restrictions

Records are open to the public.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Return to Top

Historical Note

The 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.

Return to Top

Content Description

Annual reports for the Board of Public Works. 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.

Return to Top

Use of the Collection

Preferred Citation

[Item and date], Board of Public Works Annual Reports, Record Series 1802-F3. Box [number], Folder [number]. Seattle Municipal Archives.

Return to Top

Administrative Information

Arrangement

Reports are arranged chronologically by year.

Custodial History

Records were originally filed with the City Clerk in the Comptroller/Clerk's Files (CFs) and were removed to create this record series.

Return to Top

Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Cable television--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Minority business enterprises--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Municipal engineering--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Public works--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Sewerage--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Streets--Washington (State)--Seattle--Maintenance and repair
  • Water-pipes--Washington (State)--Seattle--Maintenance and repair
  • Women-owned business enterprises--Washington (State)--Seattle

Geographical Names

  • Seattle (Wash.)--Politics and government

Form or Genre Terms

  • Annual reports

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Seattle (Wash.) Board of Public Works (creator)

Finding aid prepared by Anne Frantilla
2004

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

About Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West

Loading...
Loading...