Tower cranes brighten up Issaquah’s holiday season

During the day it’s easy to notice the 162-foot tower crane high above the site of the future Homewood Suites by Hilton. However, at night it’s near impossible to miss the giant metal structure that’s been decorated in brightly colored Christmas lights.

By Daniel Bassett • December 15, 2014 3:08 pm
GLY Construction's tower crane has provided illuminating visuals across Issaquah's skyline with its holiday lights.
GLY Construction's tower crane has provided illuminating visuals across Issaquah's skyline with its holiday lights.

Holiday cheer is flying high over Issaquah this year, but it’s not due to Santa’s sleigh — at least not yet.

During the day it’s easy to notice the 162-foot tower crane high above the site of the future Homewood Suites by Hilton. However, at night it’s near impossible to miss the giant metal structure that’s been decorated in brightly colored Christmas lights.

The crane, owned by Marrow Crane and operated by GLY Construction, is part of a tradition of decorating tower cranes during the holidays and other special events.

Last year, many cranes were decked out in blue and green to support the Seattle Seahawks during their Super Bowl run and crowning championship.

Designed by employees of GLY Construction, the Issaquah crane’s decorations consist of 2,600 C9 incandescent lights along its tower and 200-foot long boom.

“LED lights are just not bright enough,” site superintendent Jon Eaton said. “They lack the ‘wow’ factor.”

Each of the lights were placed by workers secured to the structure’s rigging, assisted by use of a service basket, Eaton said.

GLY Construction, which has ongoing projects throughout the Puget Sound, has many of its cranes festooned with decorations, including most of those dominating the skyline of the South Lake Union neighborhood in Seattle.

Bill DeJarlais, a principal with GLY Construction, said they’ve gotten nothing but positive comments about the decorations, which makes the effort all worth it.