Work to restore Seattle's century old Wah Mee building may begin next year

SEATTLE — Work to rebuild the Wah Mee building in Seattle's International District could get underway early next year.

The owners of the building have filed for permits with the city of Seattle and approval could come next month.

The 105-year-old building was the scene of Seattle's deadliest massacre when 13 people were killed there in 1983.

The building was gutted after a Christmas Eve fire a year ago.

KIRO 7 talked with the Woo family, who are willing to spend millions to save a piece of Seattle's history.

“We have to basically keep everything the same, but we're hoping to restore the storefronts to what they look like back in 1909," said Tanya Woo.

The Woo family hopes the stores on the first floor will return.

Those who live in the International District said they miss the businesses that were burned out last year.

The Woo family plans to start the restoration work as soon as the permits are approved.

Construction could take up to two years.

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