Return of the Hat and Boots

Well looky-here…

Guess what came a’wanderin’ into the ol’ inbox!

I’m not saying that this has anything to do with skateboarding, but I do think it’s pretty interesting that the guy who is running the project to restore the Hat and Boots is also the principle pimp on the River City skatepark project.  You’re darn tootin’!

My question is why does the Parks Department always write press releases in this ridiculous Comic Sans font?

The press release:

HAT ‘n’ BOOTS: TOGETHER AGAIN
Iconic art and roadside kitsch from “Premium Tex” fully restored
Seattle Parks and Recreation is happy to announce the restoration of the landmarked Hat ‘n’ Boots will be completed the first week of November.  The Hat ‘n’ Boots located in Oxbow Park at 6400 Corson Ave. S. were moved from their former location at the “Premium Tex” Texaco gas station on E Marginal Way to Oxbow Park in December 2003.

“The restoration of the Hat at Oxbow Park is another gold star for this tenacious South Seattle neighborhood,” said Mark Johnson, Senior Associate at Jones & Jones Architects. “Without the vision of the community in the late 90’s to save and relocate the Hat ‘n’ Boots, one of Seattle’s most iconic roadside attractions would have been lost.  Let the celebration begin!”

The boots had already been restored, and repainted in the original colors and design when the Pro Parks Levy funded Oxbow Park first opened in 2005.   Parks started restoring the Hat in the summer of 2009.  The scaffolding and tent that have surrounded the structure for months during construction will be removed on October 15, 2009 and the final coats of paint will be applied when weather permits.

Jones and Jones Architects led the design of the restoration project.  The construction of the hat included a combination of skilled contractors. Seattle Center’s Welding Shop completed the welding of structural reinforcement; materials were donated by Capital Industries; sandblasting and priming was completed by Seattle Parks Paint Shop and Turnstone Construction is responsible for the detailed concrete work and final paint.

Seattle Parks is very appreciative of the efforts of all involved to work together and make this project a reality.

For additional information please visit http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/proparks/projects/oxbow.htm <http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/proparks/projects/oxbow.htm> or contact Kelly Davidson, project manager 206-684-0998 kelly.davidson@seattle.gov <mailto:kelly.davidson@seattle.gov>