Seattle Center panel picks Chihuly exhibit

A rendering of the outside of a Dale Chihuly glass exhibit at Seattle Center (Rendering courtesy the Space Needle Corp. and the city of Seattle). A rendering of the outside of a Dale Chihuly glass exhibit at Seattle Center (Rendering courtesy the Space Needle Corp. and the city of Seattle). Photo: / Photo: / Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Seattle Center panel picks Chihuly exhibit 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

A Seattle Center panel has recommended that a Dale Chihuly glass exhibit replace the old Fun Forest site, according to a report released Friday.

The eight-person citizen panel said the Chihuly exhibit "would most benefit Seattle Center" and was the best match with the panel's selection criteria. The paid-entry exhibit, proposed by the Space Needle Corp., is predicted to bring 400,000 visitors and $1.1 million in city revenue a year.

The exhibit had been competing with eight other proposals, in which the other leading contender was KEXP, which wanted to move its operations to the Center and put on free concerts. The panel found that KEXP was a weaker financial contender, but would be a positive addition for the campus in a different spot.

"The panel concluded that the (Chihuly) project's contributions to Seattle Center and its visitors far outweigh its potential shortcomings," the report said.

"Further, the panel determined that no other proposal was as successful in meeting the (request for proposals) criteria."

Criteria included public benefit, financial readiness, and contribution to Seattle Center's vision. Projects had to be "revenue neutral" - meaning no net cost to the city - and be open in time for the Center's 50th anniversary in 2012.

Recommendation followed months of controversy

The recommendation followed months of controversy over the Fun Forest. Center officials had been in talks with the Space Needle about replacing the aging amusement park with Chihuly, when outcry arose over alleged lack of transparency.

That prompted the Center to be more open with a call for proposals. Two general camps formed over the months - one favored Chihuly and the masses and revenue he would bring; the other lobbied for KEXP's open space, eclectic music, and younger, hipper demographic.

The panel was convinced of the Space Needle's ability to get financing and impressed with the visual arts presence of Chihuly. It liked the proposal's commitment to education and open space, with free admission and transportation for Seattle Public Schools students and a $1 million investment for an artist-designed playground.

But the panel noted the following "weaknesses" in the Chihuly proposal: Fencing around the exhibit, which reduces "visual accessibility," and its draw as primarily a tourist attraction. It's predicted that local residents will account for only 30 percent of the exhibit's yearly attendance.

KEXP's revenue projection 'seemed unrealistic'

When it came to KEXP, the panel "cautiously" determined it also met the selection criteria. But it said KEXP had no organizational history of raising a capital campaign required for the project, and that it was "not clear" the station would have the "financial wherewithal" to sustain rent.

The panel also found KEXP's revenue projections as unrealistic. KEXP had estimated its events would draw 100,000 people a year, and that every visitor at a free concert would between $14 and $19 at the Center.

"This does not seem to be a realistic expectation for on-site expenditures, particularly for a younger audience member, or one that represents the 46 percent of KEXP's listeners who make less than $50,000 a year," the report said.

The panel also didn't like how KEXP had proposed using most of its Center space for offices. But the panel encouraged Seattle Center to continue talking to KEXP about finding a different spot for it at the campus.

The panel also supported a temporary extension of the Fun Forest amusement park - also a proposal - through the summer of 2011, if it didn't interfere with redevelopment.

Seattle Center earlier said it would keep the recommendation a secret until director Robert Nellams had a chance to make his presentation to Mayor Mike McGinn.

But on Friday, Center spokeswoman Deborah Daoust said the mayor had wanted to see the recommendation today. Nellams is still expected to make his own presentation by the end of the month.