BROADENING OUR REACH
Since 1977, the Seattle Aquarium has engaged visitors in the wonders of the Salish Sea and Earth’s one ocean. The Aquarium’s 2010 transition from the City of Seattle’s Department of Parks and Recreation to nonprofit management and operation created an opportunity for a new vision. Our 2011–2030 Strategic Plan calls for dramatically increasing the reach of our mission: Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment. In 2014, the Seattle Aquarium began a larger expansion plan as an integral part of the City of Seattle’s waterfront redevelopment project. The Aquarium worked closely with the City of Seattle Office of the Waterfront and the Department of Parks and Recreation on this effort. The planned expansion includes a new building, the Ocean Pavilion; a west-end renovation of Pier 59; a renovation and expansion of Pier 60; and seamless connections to a greatly improved public waterfront. In 2015, the Seattle City Council approved our plan, launching the first phase of our expansion.
Building the Ocean Pavilion
Construction of the Ocean Pavilion began in December 2020, and the building will open in 2024. The project has earned a Progressive Architecture Award and a Build Washington “Excellence in Innovation” award.
In this video, narrated by Seattle Aquarium Senior Director of Capital Projects Susan Bullerdick, see our progress as of September 2023. To learn more about the rooftop project led by Valerie Segrest and Owen Oliver, visit our Honoring Place page.
Explore Ocean Pavilion Construction Phases
Construction of the Ocean Pavilion takes place in four phases. Afterwards, the building will undergo final preparations to ensure that it is ready to welcome animal residents, staff and visitors.
Phase 1: Preparing the site (COMPLETE)
- Suquamish Tribe land blessing conducted at the site of the future Ocean Pavilion.
- Site preparation began, including excavation of half of the site, deep soil mixing and adding piping for mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.
- East and north exterior walls built.
Phase 2: Building a foundation (COMPLETE)
- Site preparation continued, including excavation of the other half of the site, ongoing deep soil mixing and completing piping for mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.
- Construction of the building’s lowest levels and foundation continued.
Phase 3: Creating the form (COMPLETE)
- Ocean Pavilion shell, core and roof constructed.
- Formwork for habitats completed.
- Mechanical, electrical, plumbing and animal life support systems installed.
- Second-floor beams installed.
Phase 4: Completion of the building and rooftop park (IN PROGRESS)
- Interior habitats and educational exhibits constructed.
- Public rooftop constructed with landscaping.
- Public elevator and stairs constructed.
- Mechanical, electrical, plumbing and animal life support systems installed (continued).
- Interior spaces for animal care, education, staff and visitors completed.
Commissioning process
During and following construction, the building will go through a commissioning process. This phase includes preparing the building, habitats and systems for animal residents, staff and visitors prior to opening.
Funding the Ocean Pavilion
The Aquarium’s $160-million comprehensive One Ocean, One Future Campaign is targeting a combination of private philanthropy and government sources. The City of Seattle has contributed $34 million to the project, which will be a City-owned building. Private and public funding efforts continue as we make steady progress toward our campaign goal.
LOOKING AHEAD
The next phase of the Aquarium’s revitalization will focus on its existing buildings and these upcoming milestones:
- Create a new west end of Pier 59 that reveals stunning views of Puget Sound, expanding our Salish Sea education and conservation programs.
- Transform Pier 60 into a living habitat for Puget Sound and Washington coast animals, shorebirds and fish.
Public Engagement During the Planning Process
The planning and development of the Ocean Pavilion included extensive outreach to stakeholders and members of the public interested in the Aquarium’s expansion planning. The Seattle Aquarium has been committed to an open and transparent process around its expansion and welcomes community voices. Our board meetings have always been open to the public and allow for public comment. A timeline of public engagement on the planning process is below.
Ocean Pavilion Public Engagement Timeline: 2014–2023
April 1, 2014: Plan process begins with several planning sessions facilitated by the Office of the Waterfront that includes lead designers for the Aquarium and Seattle’s new waterfront.
June 19, 2014: Public hearing and review by the Seattle Design Commission of the Overlook Walk and Ocean Pavilion concepts at 30% design with opportunity for public comment.
March 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015: Aquarium team members conduct individual presentations to over 20 independent groups and organizations from the downtown and waterfront community, open space and park advocates, neighborhood groups and homeowner associations, Aquarium volunteers, and broad public interest groups.
May 18, 2015: Initial briefing to the City Council Select Committee on the Waterfront with opportunity for public comment.
June 9, 2015: Draft plan published on the Seattle Aquarium’s website for public review and comment.
June 16, 2015: City Council Waterfront Committee briefing on plan with opportunity for public comment.
June 16, 2015: Seattle Aquarium hosts a public open house to receive feedback on the draft plan. Participants are encouraged to submit their comments on notecards or by email. More than 1,000 comments were logged in support of the plan and planned Ocean Pavilion expansion.
July 13, 2015: A second public meeting is held to answer any questions about the plan prior to its submission to the City Council for final review and consideration for approval.
August 3, 2015: Resolution is passed unanimously by the City Council to approve the Seattle Aquarium Society’s plan allowing the advancement of the design of Aquarium land expansion and environmental review. (Res. # 31603)
October 8, 2015: Information regarding the plan and Ocean Pavilion project is posted publicly on the Seattle Aquarium website for review and comment. This includes a summary of all public comments received during the plan open house and stakeholder outreach efforts.
October 30, 2015: Public hearing by the Select Budget Committee to review the SDOT Seattle Aquarium Expansion MOU Amendment ordinance with opportunity for public comment. (Ord. # 124900)
November 16, 2015: Select Budget Committee passes SDOT Seattle Aquarium Expansion MOU with opportunity for public comment. (Ord. # 124900)
July 21, 2016: Public hearing and review by the Seattle Design Commission on design updates to the Overlook Walk and Ocean Pavilion concepts with opportunity for public comment.
July 26, 2017: Seattle Aquarium provides an annual report for Human Services and Public Health Committee sharing information on Aquarium’s impact and design progress. (Inf. # 889)
September 21, 2017: Public hearing by the Parks, Seattle Center, Libraries and Waterfront Committee to review ordinance authorizing an amended MOU to advance the Ocean Pavilion through schematic design with opportunity for public comment. (Ord. #125422)
September 25, 2017: Full Council consideration and passage of ordinance authorizing amended MOU to advance the Ocean Pavilion through schematic design with opportunity for public comment. (Ord. #125422)
April 1, 2018: Scoping notifications are posted on the Seattle Aquarium webpage. Notification ads published in the Daily Journal of Commerce, a notice was published on the Washington State Department of Ecology SEPA register, and postcards are mailed to surrounding property owners and a variety of stakeholders including tribes, elected officials, local and state agencies, the Seattle Central Library, and partner groups and organizations on the waterfront.
April 19, 2018: Public hearing and review by the Seattle Design Commission of the Overlook Walk and Ocean Pavilion concept designs with opportunity for public comment.
May 1, 2018 and ongoing: Aquarium team members continue outreach to independent groups and organizations from the downtown and waterfront community, open space and park advocates, neighborhood groups and homeowner associations, Aquarium volunteers, and broad public interest groups.
May 7, 2018: Seattle Parks and Recreation and Seattle Aquarium Society (SEAS) publish the initial Scoping Notice for the Ocean Pavilion Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
May 7 to May 28, 2018: Agencies, tribal governments and members of the public are invited to comment during the initial scoping period.
May 24, 2018: A public scoping meeting is held, including a presentation introducing the proposed action, informational poster boards, and comment forms and boxes.
July 18, 2018: Public hearing by the Civic Development, Public Assets and Native Communities Committee to review ordinance replacing previous MOUs; increasing maximum design funding to $4.7M for further design of the Ocean Pavilion; and setting forth conditions of future project development agreement with opportunity for public comment. (Ord. #125630)
July 23, 2018: Full Council consideration and unanimous passage of ordinance replacing previous MOUs; increasing maximum design funding to $4.7M for further design of the Ocean Pavilion; and setting forth conditions of future project development agreement with opportunity for public comment. (Ord. #125630)
August 9, 2018: Draft EIS notifications are posted on site and on the Seattle Aquarium website. Notification ads are published in The Seattle Times and Daily Journal of Commerce, a notice is published on the Washington State Department of Ecology SEPA register, and postcards are mailed to surrounding property owners and a variety of stakeholders including tribes, elected officials, local and state agencies, the Seattle Central Library, partner groups and organizations on the waterfront and all interested parties who had signed up for information on the project.
August 30, 2018: A notice of availability for the published draft EIS is issued.
August 30 to October 1, 2018: A public comment period is open.
September 27, 2018: A public hearing is held, including a presentation describing the draft EIS process and results, informational poster boards, and comment forms and boxes to take public comment. Seattle Aquarium Society, Seattle Parks and Recreation and consultant staff are available to take comments and answer questions. A court reporter records public comments.
November 18, 2018: The final EIS is delivered to the public. All interested parties who had signed up during the scoping and EIS process are notified.
February 2, 2019: Public open house takes place as part of viaduct demolition activities.
December 4, 2019: Public hearing by the Civic Development, Public Assets and Native Communities Committee to review ordinance authorizing a funding agreement and future construction agreement between the City of Seattle and the Seattle Aquarium Society for the Ocean Pavilion with opportunity for public comment. (Ord. # 126015)
December 9, 2019: Full Council consideration and unanimous passage of ordinance authorizing a funding agreement and future construction agreement between the City of Seattle and the Seattle Aquarium Society for the Ocean Pavilion with opportunity for public comment. (Ord. # 126015)
February 11, 2021: Full Council consideration and unanimous passage of ordinance authorizing a construction agreement between the City of Seattle and the Seattle Aquarium Society for the Ocean Pavilion with opportunity for public comment.
August 16, 2022: Full Council consideration and approval of $20 million in interim funding from the City, to be repaid with interest. The funding helps ensure that Ocean Pavilion construction proceeds in alignment with the Main Corridor and Overlook Walk projects and in a cost-effective manner.
July 19, 2023: Public hearing by the Public Assets and Homelessness Committee for consideration of a 10-year extension to the Aquarium’s Operating and Management Agreement (OMA) with the City of Seattle. Extending the OMA enables the Aquarium to secure a private commercial loan to finance the final phase of construction and to repay the City its August 2022 interim funding years ahead of schedule.
August 2, 2023: Public Assets and Homelessness Committee unanimous approval of the OMA extension, with the opportunity for public comment.
August 8, 2023: Full Council consideration and passage of the OMA extension, with the opportunity for public comment. Following this step, the Aquarium repaid the City its August 2022 interim funding in full, with interest.
SHARING FEEDBACK
If you have questions regarding the Ocean Pavilion, please contact us at expansion@seattleaquarium.org.
Additional background:
Final Environmental Impact Statement (November 2018)
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (August 2018)
Environmental Impact Statement Scoping Summary Report (June 2018)
Plan approved by City Council (August 2015)
