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Project Overview
Seattle Center is partnering with Seattle Repertory Theatre and Intiman Theatre to turn a small parking area located between their two buildings into a lush, landscaped space. It will be called Theater Commons at Seattle Center.
Theater Commons will transform the one and one-half-acre area into a green, inviting Seattle Center entry. The new space, designed sustainably as a demonstration site for new materials, will serve to reinforce the identities of the two theaters, offering a mix of native plants and regionally adapted vegetation along terraced surfaces creatively lit in the evenings to evoke a moonlit garden. On-site raingardens will retain roof and site water run-off. Permeable pavers, trees and energy efficient streetlights will accommodate greater pedestrian movement through the space.
Theater Commons is an early project of the Seattle Center Century 21 Master Plan, which calls for major campus redevelopment to better serve community needs. Construction began in October 2009, and completion is expected in May 2010. The project fulfills a vision of creating a legible, welcoming north entry that sets the context and tone for a pleasing visitor experience at Seattle Center and the north entry theaters.
A major grant by the Kreielsheimer Foundation, matched by City of Seattle and private funding, made this project possible. If you have questions or comments about Theater Commons at Seattle Center, please call 206.684.7117.
Parking
Parking in the construction area has been eliminated as part of a long-term effort to increase campus open space by consolidating parking in garages below and at the edges of campus.
ADA parking capacity in Mercer Garage has been expanded by 19 stalls adjacent to the Mercer Skybridge to compensate for the loss of surface parking. Accessible pedestrian drop-off areas adjacent to the two theatres are available, and the Seattle Rep and Intiman are working directly with their theater patrons who have disabilities that cannot be accommodated by the Garage parking to determine how best to serve their specific needs. Disabled permit designated (during evening hours and on Sundays) street parking is also be available along Warren (between Republican and Mercer 9 spaces) and 2nd Avenue across from the theaters (10 spaces).
Trees
Thirteen trees on the site will be preserved and others replaced with species that will help Seattle Center reach the Urban Forest Management Plan's 30-year Tree Canopy goal of 15% canopy coverage on the campus.
51 trees will be planted on the site, comprised of a variety of species, including 17 London Plane trees. An additional 31 trees will be planted off-site to meet the City's 2-for-1 tree replacement program.
Construction Update for the Week of February 1
The 8-month Theater Commons project includes demolition, excavation, soil removal, import of new soil and a series of concrete pours. Fencing has been erected around the construction area, and and pedestrians must stay away from the consturction zone. Pedestrians are asked to use alternative walking routes to the east, along the east side of the Intiman Playhouse, and west of the site along Warren Avenue.
What to expect this week:
- Work continues on the Mercer retaining walls and stairs and could cause roadway disruptions during concrete pours.
- Beginning on Dec. 15, there will be no pedestrian entry to the Seattle Repertory Theatre from the north end of the building. A temporary walking path as been laid along the east side of the building from the Mercer Street entrance. The box office will remain open, 12 noon - 6 pm, Tuesday - Friday, however, building access will be from the south lobby entrance or through the Warren Street administrative offices door.
- The construction crew is working to install a steel canopy along the eastern edge of the Seattle Rep building, so large equipment will be moving items through the space during the daytime.
- There could be noise generated during the day by concrete work on the west side of the Intiman.
Impacts on theater access:
- Intiman remains dark until March.
- A termporary walking path has been laid along the east edge of Seattle Repertory Theatre. Rep patrons will be able to access the Theater through the south lobby door beginning one hour before performance times.
- Intiman entrances remain accessible, and the path to the ADA door located on the west side of the building remains usable (please be aware of possible ground surface issues though).
More Information
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SEATTLE CENTER FOUNDATION
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