Our People | Lydig Construction

We are committed to expertise, flexibility, and an integrity-driven approach to construction

Since 1956, we’ve grown from a small team into a leading provider of comprehensive construction services across the Northwest, delivering everything from state-of-the-art schools to complex industrial facilities. At Lydig, being a Community Builder carries a dual significance: we construct essential spaces that serve and strengthen communities, and we actively invest in the people, relationships, and partnerships that hold them together. With humility, deep expertise, and a commitment to excellence, we build more than structures: we build trust, opportunity, and lasting impact. Lydig combines decades of proven performance with a sophisticated understanding of how to work in occupied, high-security, and technically demanding environments. That understanding is always backed by a no-nonsense, get-the-job-done work ethic on which our clients can depend.

Our Story

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1956

Founded

Founded by Wallace B. Questad
Lydig’s founding established a builder rooted in the Pacific Northwest with a willingness to take on complex and unconventional work. One of the company's first projects, a Strategic Air Command Missile Base, set an early tone of trust, technical capability, and national‑level confidence.

1967

Long Term Partnerships

Company renamed Nelson Lydig; first project with Bellingham Cold Storage
The name change marked a generational shift and the beginning of what would become a defining strength: long-term client relationships. The Bellingham Cold Storage (BCS) work signaled Lydig’s early expertise in industrial and technically demanding facilities completing projects for BCS for the next 40 years.

1987

Husky Stadium and First Costco

University of Washington Husky Stadium renovation and first Costco Warehouse
These two projects firmly placed Lydig on the regional map. Husky Stadium demonstrated the firm’s ability to manage iconic, high-visibility projects, while Costco launched a relationship with one of the most influential brands in the region. Lydig has completed 60+ projects for Costco, from new warehouses, distribution centers and renovations and expansions.

1997

Entry into Seattle Public Schools

Highland Park Elementary – first Seattle Public Schools project
This milestone marked Lydig’s expansion into large urban K‑12 education and complex public-sector stakeholder environments. It laid the groundwork for decades of trusted work with over 70 school districts across the Northwest.

1996

Larry Swartz Controlling Interest

In 1996, Larry Swartz obtained controlling interest in Lydig Construction, marking a significant shift in the company’s ownership structure. This transition positioned Swartz to guide the firm’s strategic direction and support its continued growth in the construction industry.

2006

First LEED Platinum Project

Shoreline Recycling & Transfer Station
One of the earliest LEED Platinum projects in the region, this milestone established Lydig as a sustainability leader before it was industry standard. It demonstrated innovation, environmental responsibility, and the ability to deliver cutting‑edge green infrastructure.

2009

Coyote Ridge Correctional Center Expansion

$190M Design-Build – largest Design-Build (non transportation) project at the time.
This project cemented Lydig as a premier builder in the justice market. The scale, complexity, and delivery method showcased design‑build leadership and positioned the firm for future large‑scale public infrastructure work.

2011

SGL Automotive Carbon Fiber Manufacturing

Advanced Manufacturing
This project demonstrated Lydig’s ability to deliver highly specialized industrial facilities. It signaled entry into advanced materials and high‑tech manufacturing for BMW, expanding both expertise and market reach all within the Design-Build delivery method. Three phases. $100M+

2013

2020 5th Ave Data Center

High‑density urban data center construction
Data centers demand extreme precision, schedule certainty, and coordination. This project showed Lydig’s ability to compete in one of construction’s most technical sectors. A stamp on Lydig's ability to produce mission‑critical and technology‑driven work, all while constructing in a demanding urban center.

2021

The Podium

First hydraulic indoor track on the West Coast
The Podium stands out as an innovative civic and sports facility with a compelling engineering story. Its national recognition reinforced Lydig’s reputation for delivering truly one‑of‑a‑kind structures. A design-build project, meeting the deadline for the USATF National Championships.

2026

Rainier Beach High School

Modern K‑12 flagship project
Rainier Beach High School represents the evolution of Lydig’s education portfolio; equity‑focused, community‑driven, and technically complex. It reflects decades of K‑12 experience and reinforces Lydig's commitment to impactful public projects that shape future generations.

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