SEATTLE, WA – Today, Seattle Center and Pacific Science Center (PacSci) announced a bold new partnership to advance PacSci’s mission and financial stability, preserve and expand public space, and establish new programming, including a Maker & Innovation Lab for STEM education and creative exploration.
“For decades, Seattle Center and the Pacific Science Center have been pillars of our city’s cultural fabric and innovative spirit. On these campuses curiosity is sparked, community is built, and history is honored by residents and visitors alike,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell. “This new partnership will strengthen both institutions, and ensure that together, Seattle Center and the Pacific Science Center can serve, inspire, and educate all Seattleites for generations to come. In Seattle, our progress is driven through collaboration, and I am excited to see how this enhanced partnership enriches our city and the region.”
Through this partnership, Seattle Center and PacSci will explore ways to:
Preserve and enhance PacSci’s historic courtyards and arches.
Make the courtyard accessible to the public from Seattle Center by removing the north kiosks and gates and creating new public connections to Seattle Center from Belltown.
Strengthen PacSci’s mission impact and financial sustainability by exploring additional programming and development on PacSci’s campus while preserving key historic elements.
Develop a new Maker & Innovation Lab at PacSci that will serve as a community hub for STEM education and creative exploration.
“Pacific Science Center has been an iconic destination since the 1962 World’s Fair. This partnership represents an exciting opportunity for our two organizations to formally partner for the first time – with the goal of strengthening PacSci, preserving the historic courtyard and arches, and integrating our two campuses as one public place, open to all,” said Marshall Foster, Director of Seattle Center. “By opening up public access, strengthening PacSci’s long-term sustainability, and adding new experiences like the Makerspace, we’re creating even more opportunities for visitors to engage, learn, and explore.”
“Pacific Science Center is delighted to be a neighbor of Seattle Center. This partnership represents a much deeper level of collaboration,” said Will Daugherty, President & CEO of PacSci. “By working together with Seattle Center and the City, we are creating new opportunities to expand our reach, welcome more of the public into our space, and ensure a sustainable future for PacSci and the communities we serve.”
Seattle Center is a department of the City of Seattle, responsible for managing the 74-acre Seattle Center campus. While PacSci is located adjacent to Seattle Center’s campus, PacSci owns its land and buildings outright, with full responsibility for its operations. This new partnership represents a more integrated approach to ensuring PacSci’s long-term success.
“This exciting partnership is a momentous step forward for the Pacific Science Center,” said Jembaa Mai, incoming Chair of the Board of PacSci. “Joining forces with Seattle Center will support our growth and our bold vision to explore new ways to ignite curiosity.”
Center and PacSci have signed a Letter of Intent which outlines key actions both parties will take over the coming months as part of this new partnership. Both are committed to working closely with stakeholders, city leaders, and the community to shape the future of this project. Additional details will be shared as work progresses.
For more information, please contact Jayme Stocker, Seattle Center, [jayme.stocker@seattle.gov] [206.507.5353] and/or Brian Knollenberg, Pacific Science Center, [bknollenberg@pacsci.org] [206.360.8866].
PacSci’s New Makerspace: A Hub for Innovation
As part of this partnership, Pacific Science Center is developing a state-of-the-art, 14,000-square-foot Makerspace where people of all ages and skill levels can design, build, and innovate using tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and fabrication equipment. Serving as a community hub, it will connect learners, educators, and industry leaders to cultivate the next generation of innovators. The $20 million project has secured $1 million from King County’s Doors Open program, with a $1 million state capital request pending and additional fundraising efforts underway.
About PacSci
Born in the spirit of innovation at the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle, Pacific Science Center is an independent, not-for-profit institution with a mission to ignite curiosity in every child and fuel a passion for discovery, experimentation, and critical thinking in all of us. Since its founding as the nation’s first science and technology center, PacSci has worked to expand access to science, serve as a vital resource for educators, and fuel discovery and experimentation as a vibrant community laboratory. PacSci serves more than 500,000 people in the Pacific Northwest and beyond each year. Look for its iconic arches at the foot of the Space Needle in the Seattle Center—and for innovative PacSci programming and digital resources at schools, libraries, community centers throughout Washington and beyond.
About Seattle Center
Seattle Center is a dynamic civic, arts, and community gathering place in the heart of Seattle. As both a vibrant cultural destination and a department of the City of Seattle, Seattle Center manages a 74-acre campus that serves as home to Climate Pledge Arena, over 30 cultural, educational, sports, and entertainment organizations, and a wide range of public programs and community events. Our mission is to create exceptional experiences that inspire and strengthen our city.
In addition to stewarding Seattle Center, our role has expanded to include maintenance and public safety services for Seattle’s new Waterfront Park—a transformative series of public spaces along the downtown waterfront. This work is done in partnership with the non-profit Friends of Waterfront Seattle, which provides year-round cultural and recreational programming to ensure these spaces serve as a welcoming and active resource for the community.
As the most visited arts and entertainment destination in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle Center attracts 12 million visitors annually, generating $1.864 billion in business activity and more than $631 million in labor income each year. Learn more at www.seattlecenter.com
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