Seattle Public Schools

Projects

Memorial Stadium

Memorial Stadium Replacement Project

A New Vision for Memorial Stadium

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) and the City of Seattle are building on their longstanding partnership by collaborating on the replacement of the school district’s Memorial Stadium.

The project will create an innovative new multi-purpose sports, educational, and entertainment venue that will be seamlessly integrated with the Seattle Center campus and welcoming to all.

SPS will continue to own the stadium and retain priority scheduled use of the venue, which will adhere to all athletic league standards.

Memorial Stadium Partners

Four logos: SPS, City of Seattle, Seattle Center, and Seattle Center Foundation

What is the shared vision for the new Memorial Stadium at Seattle Center?

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) and the City of Seattle have successfully managed and programmed Memorial Stadium for decades with sporting events, high school graduation ceremonies, concerts, walk/run fundraising events, community festivals such as Bumbershoot, and other special events.

The district and the city are building upon their longstanding partnership with plans for a visionary new multi-use student and community events facility – replacing the 77-year-old Memorial Stadium with a legacy investment for year-round athletics, education, entertainment, and a focus on expanding the ways the stadium.

This new project builds upon the basic $66.5 million athletic facility replacement approved by voters in last year’s BTA V Levy, with the identification of a private partner. The private partner will invest in, design, build, operate and maintain the new stadium, with SPS continuing to own the stadium and maintain priority use. This approach helps SPS pay for the development of the new stadium and eliminates the Seattle Public School’s costs to maintain and operate the facility, while providing students with an enhanced facility.

Shared values guide this work focusing on students, equity, community access and engagement, quality design and experience, partnerships, operations, maintenance, and financial and environmental sustainability.

This new state-of-the-art facility will serve as a welcoming hub of year-round activity with flexible spaces for a variety of athletic, learning and development, and cultural and entertainment events for our community.

What is the history of Memorial Stadium?

Seattle Public Schools’ Memorial Stadium is a successor of Civic Field, built in 1927 as part of the city’s Civic Complex.

In 1946 the City of Seattle deeded the land to SPS to build, operate, and maintain a new athletic field. A voter-approved school levy and bonds (issued in 1942 and 1944) provided funding for the improvement of school buildings and the construction of today’s Memorial Stadium, completed in 1947.

The stadium was selected as the site for a war memorial by a group of community leaders appointed by Seattle Mayor William Devin following World War II to pay tribute to the nearly 800 former students who lost their lives in the war.

Revenues from Thanksgiving Day football games played in the stadium from 1947-1949 paid for the Memorial Wall, designed by Garfield High School student Marianne Hanson. The formal memorial dedication occurred on May 29, 1951.

Today,the deteriorating Memorial Stadium is used for many events annually —attracting hundreds of thousands of students and community members each year for high school athletic events, graduation ceremonies, and community events.

What is the agreement between Seattle Public Schools and the City of Seattle regarding the funding and construction of a new Memorial Stadium?

The district’s $66.5 million levy funds for Memorial Stadium alone would fund a basic student athletics facility by replacing the stands, field turf, lighting, and some additional building upgrades. This stadium would seat approximately 4,500 people.

SPS and the City of Seattle signed a partnership agreement to collaborate on the design of a Memorial Stadium replacement in November 2017, followed by a Letter of Intent in October 2021, and a Memorandum of Agreement signed in October 2022. The agreements outline the framework for a funding partnership to enhance that basic stadium concept and create a more visionary, higher-quality stadium which can be a spectacular venue for students and the community with a minimum of 8,000 seats.

What is the status of the project?

SPS and the city are collaborating on a shared vision for a Memorial Stadium. In recent years, the two have worked with architectural firms – Seattle-based Bassetti Architects and NBBJ, as well as Populous – to create several design concepts. Earlier this year, a Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued to identify a potential private partner to invest in, design, build, operate, maintain and manage the new facility.

In June, following the RFP process, SPS and the City announced that they will advance negotiations with the One Roof Partnership – comprised of the One Roof Foundation, Seattle Kraken and Oak View Group – as their potential preferred partner.

Discussions will now refine the proposal and develop more detailed agreements around the project anticipated to be considered by the SPS Board of Directors and Seattle City Council later this year.

What are the stadium ownership and operating terms between Seattle Public Schools and the City of Seattle?

Seattle Public Schools, which will lease Memorial Stadium to the City of Seattle, owns the stadium and retains priority use.

With the new stadium, the city will sub-lease the venue to the private partner under the direction of the city and an operations and maintenance oversight committee consisting of representatives of the city, SPS and representatives of the selected developer/operator.

What is the design and construction timeline for the new stadium?

The timeline for the project assumes planning will begin in 2023 and that construction is aiming to be completed in Spring 2026, if possible, but no later than December 31, 2027 per the RFP.

How can community members share their opinions and perspective about the design of the new facility? What is the timeline for that input?

Initial outreach has begun with student and cultural groups, Seattle Center staff and resident organizations, and dozens of community-based organizations.

Beginning this summer students and the community will have additional opportunities to provide input to help shape the planning and design through a community engagement process to run concurrent with the continuing partnership negotiation. The process, guided by best practices used in other successful civic and school projects, will be based on a strong commitment to equity, inclusion and access.

What community outreach efforts are being taken to help ensure equity input?

The community engagement process is a joint effort between the project partners, designed to be inclusive of students, families, and the greater community – both users and non-users of the stadium – through presentations, site tours, online engagement, and direct outreach to community organizations which are guided by a racial equity analysis tool designed to drive inclusive community engagement.

What is the design concept for the new stadium, and what opportunity will the public have to weigh in on the design plans for the stadium?

The potential partner’s proposal proposes to build a 10,000-seat stadium to host student athletic, arts and culture, and community events.

The proposal honors the stadium’s history and preserves Memorial Wall, and includes additional programmable space and enhanced views from the stadium into the Seattle Center campus.

Beginning this summer, students and the community will have opportunities to provide input to help shape the planning and design through a community engagement process to run concurrent with the continuing partnership negotiation. The process, guided by a commitment to racial equity, will be informed and inspired by the voice of students of color furthest from educational justice. Eventually, the final design will be reviewed by the Seattle Design Commission, along with an environmental review, which will provide additional opportunities for public comment.

What is the anticipated cost of the new stadium?

In its response to the recent RFP issued by SPS and the City, One Roof Partnership proposes a new $150 million 10,000 seat stadium to host student athletics, arts and culture, and community events, though a formal cost estimate for the new facility will be determined based on the final design following partner negotiations and the community engagement process.

The One Roof Partnership’s involvement will build upon significant public investment which includes $66.5 million approved by Seattle voters in last year’s SPS capital levy, as well as $4 million in state funding; $21 million from the city, plus another $19 million which the Seattle City Council expressed its intent to identify no later than 2026. In addition, the One Roof Partnership has committed to lead efforts to raise the additional funding needed for the project.

Why is the City investing up to $40 million in a new Memorial Stadium which is owned by Seattle Public Schools?

Memorial Stadium, although owned by Seattle Public Schools, has always been an integral part of Seattle Center. The shared SPS and city vision for a new stadium supports the Seattle Center’s Century 21 Master Plan and will fully integrate it into the Seattle Center campus, by removing walls and opening views, as never before.

Specifically, the project provides several direct public benefits including (1) the completion of August Wilson Way with a long-awaited east-west pedestrian connection across the center’s campus; (2) the creation of new landscaped open space linking the International Fountain with the stadium; (3) the inclusion of multi-purpose event space, and new centralized storage and maintenance facilities for the center, relocating to the campus from current off-site locations for improved operational efficiencies and saving $500,000 in annual lease costs; (4) and new view corridors on all four sides of the stadium, replacing the “fortress”-like structure existing today. None of these city-requested project elements will be provided if SPS constructs a basic replacement stadium.

Finally, if this civic partnership can advance quickly, the new stadium may be ready for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and other anticipated events including the 2026 celebration of the country’s 250th anniversary. Importantly, with the anticipated future return of NBA basketball to Seattle, the new stadium’s field can be converted for outdoor basketball, such as 3-on-3 games for youth and adults.

How much funding for the stadium comes from the capital levy, and how much is projected from philanthropy and other sources?

The One Roof Partnership’s involvement will build upon significant public investment which includes $66.5 million approved by Seattle voters in last year’s SPS capital levy, as well as $4 million in state funding; $21 million from the City, plus another $19 million which the Seattle City Council expressed its intent to identify no later than 2026. In addition, the One Roof Partnership has committed to lead efforts to raise the additional funding needed for the project.

How will the new stadium prioritize students and equitable access?

The new venue will prioritize students by providing a premier athletic field for SPS students and graduation ceremonies, as well as flexible space for education activities. The re-envisioned flexible design will be a place for everyone, allowing for year-round activity, including athletics, education, and a diverse array of arts, culture, and community events.

How does the new venue contribute to the future vision of Seattle Center?

The Seattle Center’s Century 21 Master Plan calls for active, open, public space – and the reimagining of Memorial Stadium which will help to fulfill that vision in several ways, including the removal of the current stadium’s massive, view-obstructing walls; the completion of August Wilson Way with the long-awaited east-west pedestrian and bike connection across the center’s campus; the creation of new public open space linking the International Fountain with the stadium; and preservation of the Memorial Wall.

In addition, the new stadium will provide operational efficiencies with the centralization of Seattle Center storage and maintenance facilities, which are currently located off-campus and across multiple campus sites, and easier load-in/load-out and staging areas for all stadium events.

Who will be responsible for scheduling events at the new stadium?

Once finalized, the partnership agreement between SPS, the city and a private partner will address the new stadium’s operations, maintenance, marketing, and use agreements, including a scheduling protocol which prioritizes SPS needs for student events (i.e., sporting events, graduation ceremonies, etc.) with SPS being the anchor user of the new facility.

What is the plan for Memorial Wall with the replacement of Memorial Stadium?

SPS, the city and our potential partner recognize the importance of Memorial Wall, and are committed to preserving and enhancing the wall with any new stadium design.

What are the benefits of public-private investment in the Memorial Stadium project?

Enlisting a private partner to invest in, design, build, operate, maintain and manage the new stadium will provide the additional capital necessary for this legacy project, beyond what the school district could afford on its own. The state-of-the-art stadium – and the more frequent and broader range of student and community events it will host – will also rely on a professional event venue operations and management partner. With year-round programming, it will require a higher level of expertise than either the city or SPS is equipped to provide. By partnering with a private investor-operator, we can ensure that our civic investment is managed, operated and maintained at the highest professional standards without competing priorities or at the whim of budget cycles.

The shared vision for the new stadium will provide for further advancement of educational and racial equity, including opportunities to deepen engagement with Seattle Center’s resident arts, cultural and sports organizations. In support of this vision, SPS and the city seek a private partner to bring creative approaches to help advance the longstanding partners’ commitment to education and

their objectives for fostering workforce development with career technical training in fields such as cultural, culinary and performing arts; science; journalism; sports and sports management.

The public-private partnership model has also proven to be successful with so many other beloved Seattle area amenities and landmarks, with many located at Seattle Center including McCaw Hall, Pacific Science Center, MoPOP, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Center Armory, Fisher Pavilion, Climate Pledge Arena and others.

Centering Student Opportunities

photo of two teams facing off on a football field

The vision for the dynamic new stadium is to center on students. This includes expanded opportunities for SPS students with new spaces to deepen engagement with Seattle Center’s resident arts, cultural, and sports organizations.

The project also provides a valuable opportunity to foster potential workforce development with career and technical training in fields such as cultural, culinary, and performing arts; science; journalism; and sports and sports management with access to skilled workers and professionals on the ground.

Preserving Memorial Wall

In October 2023, the Seattle Landmark Preservation Board voted unanimously to designate Memorial Wall as a Seattle landmark, ensuring current plans to preserve the wall and to elevate its place of honor within the new stadium.

Built in 1951, the wall serves as a memorial to the Seattle Public School alumni who died in World War II.

Greater Integration with Seattle Center

Reimagining the 77-year-old Memorial Stadium will allow for significantly greater integration with the Seattle Center campus, working toward the goals of Seattle Center’s Century 21 Master Plan.

This includes: removing the existing massive walls surrounding the stadium and creating new landscaped open space linking the International Fountain with the stadium.

Funding the Project

Public funds for the project currently include $66.5 million in SPS capital levy funds — approved by voters in 2022 — specifically allocated to build and maintain the district’s buildings and facilities. Additional funding includes nearly $4 million in state support and an anticipated $40 million from the City of Seattle, $21 million of which has been contributed to date.

About Seattle Public Schools Budget and Funding

The funds SPS is committing to the project come from the Buildings, Technology, and Academics/Athletics (BTA) capital levy approved by Seattle voters in 2022.

Because this fund is specifically allocated to build or maintain capital assets, it can’t be used for operating expenses or moved to the general fund. The salary and benefits of most employees are paid from the general fund.

mutilevel grandstands with an angled roof - part of an athletic field below it and a wall behind it. The Space Needle is in  the background behind the wall
Current grandstands at Memorial Stadium – Tim Durkan photo

Potential Private Partner Announced

On June 15, 2024, Seattle Public Schools and the City of Seattle announced One Roof Stadium Partnership (a consortium of Seattle Kraken, One Roof Foundation, and Climate Pledge Arena) as a potential partner for the new memorial stadium.

As one of the respondents to a recent SPS/City of Seattle-issued Request for Proposals (RFP), One Roof Stadium Partnership proposes to invest in, design, build, operate, and maintain a new $130-$150 million stadium — with a target of 6,500 seats and full capacity of 8,000  —to host student athletics, community events, arts and culture, with SPS continuing to own the facility and maintain priority use. The new stadium, which is being aimed for completion by 2027, will honor the stadium’s rich history and preserve Memorial Wall.

An advisory panel of SPS and City staff and community representatives reviewed the proposals and interviewed the prospective partners before recommending One Roof Stadium Partnership.

With this announcement, the parties will continue to discuss the proposal in hopes of a mutual agreement to be considered by the SPS Board of Directors and Seattle City Council later this year. One Roof Stadium Partnership has committed to leading the efforts to raise the additional private funding needed for the project.

News Release: Memorial Stadium Partner Announcement

Process and Next Steps

Final approval of a private partner will be considered this Fall by SPS and the City. In the meantime, students and the community have opportunities to provide input to help shape the planning and design. This community engagement process, which began in Spring 2024, is guided by a commitment to racial equity, for input from students, families, and the greater community about the new stadium’s programming and design.

This thoughtful process will continue with the design review, aligning with the City’s One Seattle focus — to make the city more equitable, livable, sustainable, and resilient for today’s communities and future residents — and with SPS’s policy for educational and racial equity.

In the meantime, the public is invited to visit the project website for the latest information.

Collaborative Planning

This work first began in 2017 with a partnership agreement between SPS and the City of Seattle to collaboratively design a Memorial Stadium replacement and coordinate development of the SPS property with the Seattle Center.

In 2021, SPS and the city signed a Letter of Intent outlining the shared goal of replacing the athletic stadium with a more visionary, multi-use facility, which was followed by a Memorandum of Agreement in October 2022. With this agreement SPS and the City will continue their longstanding partnership at Memorial Stadium, with SPS retaining ownership and priority use for student events, while the City would maximize use of the facility through community activities.

In 2022, Seattle voters approved the Buildings, Technology, and Academics/Athletics V Capital Levy (BTA V), which included $66.5 million for the Memorial Stadium project.

Seattle businesses, community organizations and civic leaders are early supporters of this shared vision for a world-class facility which centers on students and equity, including Cornish College of the Arts, Downtown Seattle Association, Greater Seattle Partners, KEXP, Seattle Building & Construction Trades Council, SIFF, Seattle Sports Commission, Uptown Alliance, Uptown Arts & Culture Coalition, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, and YMCA of Greater Seattle.

Over time, a number of concepts have been generated to imagine Memorial Stadium’s future. A selection of images from these studies are below.

photograph of Seattle Center with multiple public buildings in the foreground and an expanse of water in the background - a double sided stadium has been digitally added with an athletic field
2022 study by Populous Architects
architect drawing of a large green sports field with covered seating in tiers on both sides set within a larger area with trees and a gated entrance
2021 study by Bassetti Architects
a drawing of the existing seattle center in black and gray with the area of memorial stadium rendered as a design concept with wrap around grandstands and an opening toward the fountain near the stadium
2018 study by NBBJ/GGN
a color drawing of a large green area in front of the space needle -there are people in curved seats facing a stage, other people on stepped seating, and a large number of people on an open lawn with canopy tents. The Armory and the Climate Pledge Arena can be seen in the background
2008 Century 21 Master Plan

About Memorial Stadium

Seattle Public Schools’ Memorial Stadium is a successor to Civic Field, built in 1927 as part of the City’s Civic Complex.

The City of Seattle deeded the land to SPS in 1946 to build, operate, and maintain a new athletic field. Voters approved a school levy and bonds (issued in 1942 and 1944) to provide funding for the improvement of school buildings and the construction of today’s Memorial Stadium, which was completed in 1947.

a curved orange surface in the foreground looks down to an athletic field and grandstands below with other buildings on the outside
View of the current Memorial Stadium from the Space Needle – Tim Durkan photo

The stadium was selected as the site for a war memorial by a group of community leaders, appointed by Seattle Mayor William Devin following World War II, to pay tribute to the nearly 800 SPS alumni who lost their lives in the war.

The Memorial Wall was designed by Garfield High School student Marianne Hanson. Revenues from Thanksgiving Day football games played in the stadium from 1947-49 paid for construction and installation of the Memorial Wall.

Throughout its history, Memorial Stadium hosted the opening and closing ceremonies for the Seattle World’s Fair and tens of thousands of concerts and community events.

Today, the 77-year-old Memorial Stadium is used for numerous school events each year — attracting hundreds of thousands of students and community members for high school athletic events, graduation ceremonies, and community events.


Contacts and Resources

Media Contact: SPSmedia@seattleschools.org

Media Relations webpage