Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center - Building Envelope Restoration Consultation

The City of Seattle is seeking qualifications for Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center - Building Envelope Restoration Consultation. Qualifications are due no later than 4pm Pacific on March 9 ^th , 2026. All questions are to be submitted through the e-procurement portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/seattle no later than 10am Pacific on February 23, 2026.

The City of Seattle is seeking qualifications for the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center - Building Envelope Restoration Consultation.

Project Background and Context

• Historical Significance: Originally established in 1971 as the Yesler Neighborhood Center and later renamed in honor of the African American writer, the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center (LHPAC) is a landmark building declared by the City’s Landmark Preservation Board in 1982.
• Cultural Mission: The facility serves as a Black cultural center with the goal of becoming a "Black Hub" for local, national, and international artists.
• Operational History: The building underwent seismic and structural upgrades starting in 2010 and reopened in 2012. In 2013, operations were transferred from the Department of Parks and Recreation (SPR) to the Office of Arts and Culture.
• Current Effort: In 2025, an (exterior) rehab study was conducted. See attachment section. In 2023, a draft pre-design study was initiated to identify and prioritize improvements needed for this historic building, in addition to exterior, it also included interior ADA, Stage lighting, HAVC, Theater Seating etc.. A PPT of the pre-design study may be obtained upon request.

Importance of the Project

• Long-term Preservation: The primary goal is to ensure the building lasts another 100 years through proactive maintenance and restoration.
• Structural Integrity: Immediate work is required to preserve the building envelope—specifically through masonry repointing and terra cotta repairs—to prevent water intrusion and more costly future repairs. Several punctured stucco surfacing has been observed and need to be further investigated and mitigated as part of this project.
• Operational Viability: Addressing critical building envelope issues like the aging roof and inefficient windows is essential for maintaining the facility's structural and energy integrity.

Key Challenges and Complexities

• Landmark Requirements: All designs and improvements must obtain Landmarks Approval and meet the historical characteristics of the building.
• Specialized Components: The existing windows have a unique aluminum casing that complicates replacement and cost estimation.

• Environmental Needs: The building currently lacks cooling, and the performance spaces often suffer from extreme temperatures, making consistent year-round use difficult. The project seeks to deliver solutions that not only address immediate repairs but also align with long-term goals like HVAC decarbonization and improved accessibility.
• Funding Constraints: While current funding covers specific exterior repairs and internal upgrades (like LED lighting), critical needs such as full window and roof replacement are currently budget-dependent and such improvements may be deferred in a later time.