240-foot monument to development takes shape

A construction crew is installing the tower crane today at Ballard on the Park. When they’re done around 6 p.m., it’ll be 240 feet tall. By comparison, the NoMa condos across the street at 57th and 24th are 65 feet tall.

Regardless of what you think of developments such as these, it’s pretty impressive – and somewhat scary – to watch them nonchalantly swing a huge section of crane out over the pit, then gingerly lower it into place where four guys are waiting to secure it.

Not a place to be afraid of heights – especially for the guy who has to clamber up to the top of the new section and unhook the cables so another piece can be lifted into place (see that speck up there?)

Hours later, the full crane is in place.