After years in the dark, the iconic Waiting for the Interurban pergola is glowing again.
The lights on Peter Larsen’s 1979 pergola – the illuminated archway that frames Richard Beyer’s beloved sculpture – went out prior to 2023 after what’s believed to be a car accident that damaged a nearby power pole. The city had difficulty even locating the electrical box and determining which department had jurisdiction.
Thanks to persistent advocacy by Leo Griffin and the Fremont Neighborhood Council, the Office of Arts & Culture and SDOT began restoration work in 2023. The effort included consulting with artist Peter Larson, repairing damaged fixtures and missing globes, repainting, and finally reconnecting the power.
The lighting, which Larsen considers integral to his original design, was completed by an SDOT signal technician earlier this month, restoring the gateway glow that has welcomed visitors to Fremont for decades.
Both the pergola and sculpture are objects in the City of Seattle’s Public Art Collection.
Do you remember when the accident happened? Share your memories in the comments below.
One response to “No longer waiting in the dark: Interurban pergola lights shine again”
[…] Our thanks to the City’s signal technician who did the electrical work, and thanks to the Fremont Neighbor blog for the wonderful night photo of the Interurban […]