For Immediate Release:

Wednesday, March 2, 2005

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) announced today that the Howard S. Wright Construction Company has been awarded a contract worth more than $16 million to design and build the Coast Guard’s new Shore Operations Building in Seattle.

The 2001 Nisqually earthquake damaged Pier 36, which houses various Coast Guard field and support commands. In 2002 Senator Murray secured over $12 million to rehabilitate Pier 36. A year later, she secured $16 million to build this new Coast Guard facility.

“This contract is great news for Seattle and the entire Puget Sound region. It will help create good jobs in the area, and will help keep our ports secure and productive,” Murray said.

The new structure will house several Puget Sound Coast Guard units, including Vessel Traffic, the Marine Safety Office, and Search and Rescue. These units will carry out homeland security functions, assisting with the patrolling of Northwest ports and waterways. The building is due for completion in December of 2006.

Howard S. Wright Construction was established in 1885 in Washington state and is headquartered in Seattle. It has approximately 150 employees in the Seattle area and also has offices in four other states.