Broadening our reach
Since 1977, the Seattle Aquarium has been a key institution on Seattle’s central waterfront, engaging and educating visitors about the wonders of the Salish Sea and our one world ocean. With the Aquarium’s 2010 transition from the City of Seattle’s Department of Parks and Recreation to nonprofit management and operation, we had the opportunity to create a new vision. Our Strategic Plan 2011–2030 calls for dramatically increasing the reach of our mission: Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment. The strategic plan recognizes the need for facility investments and upgrades, as well as broadened education programs that reach diverse audiences around our growing region.
In 2014, to meet the strategic plan goals, the Seattle Aquarium began work on a larger Core Plan for Expansion. The process began as an integral part of the waterfront redevelopment project, with the Aquarium working closely with the City of Seattle Office of the Waterfront and the Department of Parks and Recreation. 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 core plan.
Engaging the community
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.
Funding the project
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. In August 2022, the City advanced $20 million in interim financing that will be paid back to the City with interest. This interim funding helped address a short-term timing issue and ensure that Ocean Pavilion construction proceeds in a cost-effective manner and in alignment with the Main Corridor and Overlook Walk projects. Private and public funding efforts continue as we make steady progress toward our campaign goal.
Building the Ocean Pavilion
Construction of the Ocean Pavilion began in December 2020, and the building is scheduled to open in 2024. Construction takes place in four phases. Afterwards, the building will undergo final preparations to ensure that it is ready to welcome animal residents.
Phase 1: Preparing the site (completed)
- 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 (completed)
- 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 (in progress)
- Ocean Pavilion shell, core and roof constructed.
- Formwork for habitats completed.
- Large windows installed.
- Mechanical, electrical, plumbing and animal life support systems installed.
- Second-floor beams installed.
Phase 4: Completing the interior and rooftop park (coming up)
- Habitat work completed.
- Public rooftop constructed.
- Public elevator and stairs constructed.
- Interior spaces for animal care, education and staff finished.
- Mechanical, electrical, plumbing and animal life support systems installed (continued).
Commissioning process
During and following construction, the building will go through a commissioning process. This step includes preparing habitats and systems for animal residents and staff before the building’s opening.
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.
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)
The plan process and development of the Ocean Pavilion included extensive outreach to stakeholders and members of the public interested in the Aquarium’s expansion planning. We welcomed public input and engaged the community in the years leading up to the start of Ocean Pavilion construction in December 2020:
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.