Seattle Center Sign Code Overlay - Accomplishments

Project Outcomes

The proposal created a new sign code overlay in the Land Use Code specifically for the Seattle Center, including the arena in one subarea. The sign code previously didn't address the arena's signage needs. The overlay also allowed for additional informative signs at the KEXP studios. The overlay may lead to future updates to better allow signs serving the Seattle Center's needs as a popular civic gathering place.

Key Milestones

• The City of Seattle selected Oak View Group as the preferred party to renovate the Seattle Center's arena on June 7, 2017
• SDCI published the Draft EIS for the Arena renovation project on April 23, 2018
• SDCI published the Final EIS for the Arena renovation project (MUP #3029061) on August 30, 2018
• SDCI published the Addendum to the Final EIS, for sign code amendments, on May 6, 2019
• On July 15, 2019, the City Council Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability (PLUS) Committee held a briefing and a public hearing on the bill, Council Bill 119543
• The City Council adopted the sign code proposal on July 22, 2019. The bill was then signed into law as Ordinance 125869

The End Result

The code now allows a mix of signs for wayfinding for pedestrians, event announcements, arena naming, event and building sponsorship, and other purposes. This supports the arena's purposes to be an state-of-the art, attractive, and popular public gathering place hosting many kinds of entertainment events year-round.