Future of Seattle Center? (waterpark, house, theater)

[DevanXL]

It's no secret that the Seattle center has seen better days. How do you image the future of this once great downtown venue. Larger park area? New Attractions? Major Renovations?

[Hemlock140]

With the cost of the waterfront modifications/tunnel and the seawall replacement, I don't expect any money to be spent on Seattle Center any time soon. I agree, it's not what it was 20 years ago.

[Botev1912]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

I agree, it's not what it was 20 years ago.

It's worse or better?

[jm31828]

Originally Posted by Botev1912

It's worse or better?

To me it looks exactly like it would have 50 years ago when it was built, everything outdated looking and quite worn. Maybe it looked futuristic and fancy in the 1960's, but today it looks sad and tacky and worn around the edges.

[sean98125]

There are glimmers of hope. The rebranding of the Center House as the Armory is good step (though it isn't nearly as much fun as the Food Circus was.) The new Chihuly event facility is a nice addition, I guess. But we seem to keep focusing the Center on tourists and not so much on residents.

It used to be the place where you went on a Summer day. Rides, concerts, lounging on the grass by the fountain, Sounder's games at Memorial Stadium, high school football in the fall followed up by hanging out in the Fun Forest. It used to be run as a place for the people of Seattle to come together to relax and have fun. Now it's targeting tourists at the expense of the locals.

It has lost its sense of humor about itself, its sense of fun and excitement. Sure, it used to be tacky but it also used to be full of people.

[Ruth4Truth]

I like the public events they have there, like Bumpershoot and Folklife. It's a good location for those. I don't know where else they could put those huge events, if not at Seattle Center. They need to get more use out of the place, that's for sure. Schedule more events for it, or something.

[DevanXL]

Originally Posted by sean98125

There are glimmers of hope. The rebranding of the Center House as the Armory is good step (though it isn't nearly as much fun as the Food Circus was.) The new Chihuly event facility is a nice addition, I guess. But we seem to keep focusing the Center on tourists and not so much on residents.

It used to be the place where you went on a Summer day. Rides, concerts, lounging on the grass by the fountain, Sounder's games at Memorial Stadium, high school football in the fall followed up by hanging out in the Fun Forest. It used to be run as a place for the people of Seattle to come together to relax and have fun. Now it's targeting tourists at the expense of the locals.

It has lost its sense of humor about itself, its sense of fun and excitement. Sure, it used to be tacky but it also used to be full of people.

My question is what they would do with Memorial stadium and the Key Arena if it is left vacant?

[sean98125]

Tear down Memorial Stadium and open it into a large lawn with a stage at one end. At least one of the plans for the Center has this. It can still be a music venue, but for the most part it would be open space in the city.

I'd convert Key Arena into a year-round indoor waterpark and play area for the kids of the city.

[CarawayDJ]

I was just there with some friends. Nobody I have taken there on my visits has ever had anything but positive remarks about the place. Pretty sure the EMP building looks futuristic. To my surprise we were all floored by the glass garden exhibit they have next to the Needle. Pretty neat.

That said, I suppose after living here a while I'll start to spot the warts.

[DevanXL]

Originally Posted by sean98125

Tear down Memorial Stadium and open it into a large lawn with a stage at one end. At least one of the plans for the Center has this. It can still be a music venue, but for the most part it would be open space in the city.

I'd convert Key Arena into a year-round indoor waterpark and play area for the kids of the city.

It's funny me and my friend had the same Idea for the Key. A large in indoor waterpark is one thing the area needs especiial with a Hibernating and aging Wild Waves (which I don't recommend going to anytime soon). A top of the line Water park would bring in alot of tourism dollars to the city even in the winter months. And I hope the Memorial stadium either becomes park area for large events and a concert venue. Though I heard Pier 62/63 is being converted into a concert venue once again with amphitheater seating so I'm not sure if the Seattle needs 2 major concert venues minutes away from eachother but both would be useful!