June 27, 2024

Design team, new details, revealed for Memorial Stadium renovation

Renderings via One Roof Partnership [enlarge]

This conceptual rendering provides a glimpse of what an upgraded Memorial Stadium could look like.

Details about what the renovation of Seattle's Memorial Stadium might look like are starting to come into focus as the project begins its march through the city's permitting process.

A site plan was filed June 20 as part of a Building and Land Use Pre-Application for the effort to significantly enhance and reimagine the 77-year-old stadium at Seattle Center.

It reveals some new details about the scope of the expansive renovation project, as well as the design team tasked with bringing that vision to life.

The stadium's current grandstands are set to be replaced with three new covered stands, plus a seating berm, with capacity to seat 8,000 spectators. Those would frame a new synthetic turf playing field. Enclosed building space at the elevated stadium would be approximately 70,000 square feet.

Generator Studio of Kansas City is listed as the project architect, with Seattle's GGLO joining the team as the local architect.

[enlarge]

New programmable open space and pedestrian amenities are planned as part of the renovation.

A term sheet crafted by Seattle Public Schools (SPS), which is the owner of the stadium, the city of Seattle, and One Roof Partnership (the city's private development partner for the project) was shared with KOMO News in March and reveals more design details.

It states that the new stadium will have an all-electric design, keeping with city requirements, and that the facility's landmarked namesake Memorial Wall honoring SPS students who died in WWII will be preserved and “enhanced.” The memorial will remain in its current location at the east side and entry to the stadium, adjacent to a parking lot.

One Roof is also planning to add new programmable open space and pedestrian amenities to Memorial Stadium including a public plaza at the west entry. That would border the International Fountain lawn. The renovation will also result in enhanced sight-lines from the stadium to the broader Seattle Center campus.

Other newly revealed design team members are civil and structural engineer Magnusson Klemencic Associates and landscape architect Swift.

According to its website, SPS is currently drafting agreements with One Roof and other project partners for the implementation and operation of the enhanced stadium project. The SPS Board of Directors and Seattle City Council are expected to finalize agreements with One Roof this summer, Seattle Center says.

According to the term sheet, construction is expected to start in mid 2025 with the new stadium scheduled for completion in late 2026 (and no later than 2027). A general contractor doesn't look to be attached at this time.

The final cost estimate for the project will be based on the final design concept. Costs are expected to be between $130 and $150 million and must not exceed the higher amount.

The renovation will be funded via a mix of public and private sources. Public funding for the project is capped at about $110 million. SPS is responsible for $66.5 million. The city of Seattle is responsible for $40 million. The remaining $3.95 million will come from the Washington State Department of Commerce, according to the term sheet.

One Roof is leading a private fundraising campaign for the remaining costs and has already pledged $5 million.

Once the renovation is completed, SPS will continue to own the stadium which will continue to prioritize student sports and events. It will also serve as a new state-of-the-art venue for sports, cultural and community events. One Roof will be in charge of operating, managing and maintaining the stadium.

One Roof Partnership comprises the One Roof Foundation, Seattle Kraken and Oak View Group. Oak View Group previously developed Climate Pledge Arena, also located at Seattle Center.