Safeco Field

Seattle, Washington

A Kiewit joint venture was awarded this $157 million contract as construction manager on the new $571 million, 47,000-seat Safeco Field, home of major league baseball’s Seattle Mariners. Completed in time for the inaugural game on July 15, 1999, the ballpark’s most notable feature is the 11,000-ton retractable roof. The three panel roof covers the entire park, nearly nine acres when closed, and stacks over adjacent railroad tracks when open. The roof is powered by 96 10-HP electric motors, which take an average of 10 to 20 minutes to open or close.

The 1.1 million square foot ballpark also houses the administrative offices for the baseball team and the Public Facilities District, the Stadium Club, restaurants, and historic Pioneer Square located just blocks away at the south end of downtown Seattle.