NorthstarBroadcast Contractors, Inc.

Capitol Hill — Seattle, WA

Cascade PBS (KCTS-TV) 596' Tower Restoration

Full environmental lead containment, high-pressure surface cleaning, and 15–20 year industrial coating application on a landmark 596-foot self-supporting broadcast tower.

View Photo Gallery (6 photos)

Ground-up view of the 596-foot KCTS tower structure with environmental lead containment shrouds installed.

596'Tower height
15–20 YrIndustrial coating system
100%Lead shroud containment
1,000' ASLAntenna elevation

Project Overview

Northstar Broadcast Contractors executed a comprehensive structural restoration and protective coating overhaul for the landmark Cascade PBS (KCTS-TV) transmission tower on Seattle’s Capitol Hill (1729 E Madison St). Standing at 596 feet, this massive self-supporting lattice tower serves as one of the Pacific Northwest’s most critical public broadcasting and telecommunications hubs, positioning antennas nearly 1,000 feet above sea level.

Due to the facility’s urban setting, legacy coatings, and continuous broadcast operations, the project required rigorous environmental lead containment, specialized high-angle safety protocols, and a high-performance 15–20 year industrial coating system.

Scope of Work & Execution

1. Pre-Job High-Angle Safety & Rescue Training

Prior to beginning work on the 596-foot structure, Northstar conducted comprehensive on-site tower climbing, rope access, and emergency high-angle rescue drills. Rigging specialists reviewed and certified all personal protective equipment (PPE), including full-body safety harnesses, dual-lanyard fall arrest systems, Petzl industrial descenders, and redundant positioning lines.

2. Environmental Lead Containment & Surface Preparation

Working on historic broadcast structures in dense metropolitan areas demands strict environmental stewardship:

  • Full Drop Containment: Engineered heavy-duty canvas containment shrouds were suspended and tensioned around active work zones to capture 100% of paint debris and wash runoff.
  • Surface Decontamination: High-pressure power washing and surface preparation removed decades of atmospheric oxidation, grime, and deteriorated legacy coatings while protecting co-located antenna feeds and transmission lines.
  • Aerial Access: Articulating Genie Z-60 FE hybrid boom lifts and custom rope-access descent systems allowed safe, continuous access to complex structural lattice junctions.

3. High-Durability Industrial Coating Application

To protect the heavy structural steel against the humid maritime climate of Puget Sound:

  • Applied a multi-coat, commercial-grade 15–20 year industrial coating system engineered for extreme UV resistance, thermal cycling, and corrosion prevention.
  • Maintained exact FAA aviation orange and white color demarcation standards across the entire tower profile.
  • Controlled application parameters under containment to eliminate overspray risk to adjacent neighborhood properties and vehicles.

Results & Broadcaster Impact

  • Zero Broadcast Interruption: All containment rigging and coating operations were executed without disruption to Cascade PBS television broadcasts or co-located regional FM radio transmissions.
  • Long-Term Asset Protection: The multi-layer coating system delivers 15 to 20 years of robust corrosion protection, significantly extending the service life of this vital telecommunications landmark.
  • Environmental & Safety Compliance: 100% compliance with Washington DOSH, OSHA, and EPA lead containment standards throughout the project lifecycle.
All projectsDiscuss your project