Council News Release

Councilmember Tom Rasmussen

COUNCIL PASSES SEATTLE CENTER MASTER PLAN
A Greener Future for Seattle Center

SEATTLE – The Seattle City Council today passed the Seattle Center Master Plan to insure the renewal and vibrancy of the beloved heart of Seattle. Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, the chair of the Parks and Seattle Center Committee, said, “Through this plan Seattle Center will be transformed into a more open and park-like setting for Seattle’s center of culture and entertainment.”

The Master Plan envisions the transformation of more than 10 acres of asphalt and underutilized areas into landscaped lawns and outdoor amphitheaters. The reuse of rain water and environmentally sustainable development will occur throughout the site.

Two years in preparation with numerous community meetings, the Master Plan meets the request of the public for Seattle Center to be an affordable place to visit by people of all ages. New and inviting entrances with connections to the adjacent growing neighborhoods will be built. Seattle Center will be more accessible for all to enjoy without purchasing tickets to events.

Building upon the optimism of the 1962 World’s Fair which foresaw a generation meeting the challenges of space exploration and transportation and communication, Seattle Center will demonstrate how Seattle will meet the challenges of environmental stewardship through reuse of water, through its landscape and the redevelopment of its entertainment and performing arts facilities.

Highlights of the plan include: creating more entrances and a glass roof for the Center House with a promenade and a destination restaurant with views of the City from the roof; replacing the aging Fun Forest with a new entertainment area for people of all ages; redeveloping Memorial Stadium to meet the needs of the Seattle School District for athletic events and providing an amphitheater for Seattle Center as well as continuing as a memorial to students who died in WWII.

Seattle Center is the state’s primary entertainment and cultural center. A 2005 economic impact assessment found that the Center annually generates $1.15 billion in business activity, supports 15,534 jobs, $387 million in labor income, and $41 million in State and local tax revenues.

Councilmember Rasmussen said, “Seattle Center will continue to be the cultural and community heart of Seattle through the fulfillment of this new master plan.”

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City Council