When Seattle Center first announced the proposal to build a 44,000-square-foot “glass house” at the base of the Space Needle (the former home of the Fun Forest), many were surprised by the prospect of an admission-only, for profit exhibit space moving into the Center grounds.
(Image by Studio 216 for Owen Richards Architects, courtesy of both).
The $15 million project, which would be financed by the Wright family, the builders and owners of the Space Needle, would include an outdoor public garden, a plaza, a bookstore with cafe and retail space, and a 3,800-square-foot exhibition space for artist Dale Chihuly’s work. However, since the plans were revealed two weeks ago, many have expressed an interest in seeing alternative plans, especially one that would maximize public open space, rather than a paid-admission exhibit.
Earlier this month the Center announced that it would be holding a public meeting on March 30 to discuss the proposals to replace the Fun Forest, and last week they ensured Seattle residents that the decision process would be transparent and with significant public input.
According to our news partners, the Seattle Times, the Center is actively seeking public bids to compete with the “glass house” proposal. And though the details of a public bidding process have not yet been worked out, both Mayor Mike McGinn and the chairwoman of the Parks and Seattle Center Committee, Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, have expressed support in the decision. From the Times:
“We heard the public, that they want an open process, and we’re going to do an open process,” McGinn said. “Any proposal will have to win the support of the public, because the public loves Seattle Center.”
Read the full Times story here.