Around 400 people attended the public meeting at Seattle Center last night to discuss what will become of the 5 acres of open space that used to be home to the Fun Forest, according to our news partners the Seattle Times.

(Image by Studio 216 for Owen Richards Architects, courtesy of both).

One proposal outlines plans for a 44,000-square-foot “glass house” that would include an outdoor public garden, plaza, bookstore with cafe and retail space, and a 3,800-square-foot space for permanent a Dale Chihuly exhibit. The project, expected to cost an estimated $15 million, would be financed by the Wright family, the original builders and owners of the Space Needle. Many estimate the paid-admission venue would bring in hefty revenue for the Center, which funds 67 percent of its budget on its own.

The Times reported that there were voices of both support and opposition represented at the meeting last night. From the Times:

“It’s a smart addition to the Center and an amazing opportunity for Seattle,” said Deborah Person, managing director for the Seattle International Film Festival, which uses Seattle Center as a venue.

Ron Sevart, CEO of the Space Needle, talked about how the project would bring scores of family-wage construction jobs.

Many who oppose the project argue that the city should take advantage of 5 acres of open space in the middle of town, while others say alternative options should be considered before a decision is made. From the Times:

Iain Robertson, a landscape architect, called himself a “grass-roots supporter of grass.” He said Seattle Center is not the right location for a glass exhibit and that the city would be foolish to give up nearly 2 acres of open space.

“For us as a city to replace that [open space] in the future would cost an enormous amount of money,” he said. “You just don’t get a chance at this much open space in the center of the city.”

In response to the outcry of opinions around the proposal, the Seattle Center announced last week that it would be accepting public bids to compete with the “glass house” project. Read the Seattle Times’ coverage of last night’s meeting here.

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.