Ever since the owners of the Space Needle announced plans to build a 44,000-square-foot “glass house” and Dale Chihuly exhibit space on the north half of the Seattle Center Fun Forest site back in March, lines have been drawn between supporters who believe the project would bring an attractive economic stimulus to the campus, and opponents who would rather see the Center’s public space (as it is on public land) used for more free and public purposes.
(Image by Studio 216 for Owen Richards Architects, courtesy of both).
The original proposal outlined the use of the 44,000-square-foot parcel of land directly below the Space Needle for a “glass house” with 3,800 square feet dedicated as an indoor exhibit space for Dale Chihuly’s art, an outdoor public garden and plaza, and a cafe/bookstore/retail space.
In an attempt to make the proposal more appealing to community members citywide, the Space Needle Corp. last week announced a proposal to fold art education and resources into the project, including an art-inspired playground and a new partnership that would bring greater arts programming to Seattle Public Schools, according to our news partner, The Seattle Times.
A detailed proposal released Thursday in response to a public records request says the Chihuly exhibit would return $24 million over 20 years to the city in lease money and taxes.
The Chihuly project is up against eight other proposals–including a Native Cultural Center for the First Peoples of Seattle, a Seattle Museum of Mysteries, a new home for KEXP’s studio, and a public space called “Center Park,” to name a few–sought by the Center after backlash from the public regarding a lack of options for the site. Other concerns from the public revolved around a hesitation to add another paid admission exhibition at the Center, and the need for a more kid-friendly use of the space. From the Times:
On the defensive, the new Chihuly proposal seeks to address those concerns. Its proposal includes a letter of support from Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Maria Goodloe-Johnson for a plan to develop an 8th-grade science and art curriculum about glass that would culminate with a field trip to the exhibit, all funded by the Space Needle Corp.
Supporters, however, have stood by the belief that a Chihuly-centered exhibit would bring a lot of tourism money from around the world and would help stimulate traffic to other local sites in Seattle. The Space Needle (which is owned by the Wright family) and Chihuly himself have also committed to supporting other local arts organizations through the project, including ArtsFund and the Pilchuck Glass School, which Chihuly founded.
The Wright family has also offered $2 million to fund and maintain an “Art Playground.” They would invite local artists to design playground equipment inspired by the Seattle Center or the 1962 World’s Fair that was held there. They would select four or five winners, build their designs and maintain the structures for 20 years, according to the proposal.
Read the full Times piece here.