>> THE JULY 20th, 2022 MEETING
OF THE BOOK ACIDS AND
HOMELESSNESS COMMITTEE WILL
COME TO ORDER.
I AM CHAIRMAN LEWIS.
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD COMMUNITY
WITH ME THAT SHE WILL NOT BE
ATTENDING TODAY'S MEETING.
WILL THE CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
MEMBERS PRESENT?
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
>> HERE.
>> VICE CHAIR MOSQUEDA?
>> YEAR.
>> THERE ARE FOUR MEMBERS
PRESENT AND ONE EXCUSE.
>> THANK YOU, MYSTIC LAKE.
MOVING ONTO APPROVAL OF THE
AGENDA.
IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION THE
AGENDA WILL BE ADOPTED.
I'M HEARING NO OBJECTION THE
AGENDA IS ADOPTED.
TODAY WE WILL HAVE A FAIRLY
SHORT BUT IMPACTFUL MEETING
WITH ONE AGENDA ITEM.
THE SEATTLE AQUARIUM IS HERE TO
GIVE THE COMMITTEE A
PRESENTATION.
I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO
THAT PRESENTATION, WHICH HAS
PREVIOUSLY BEEN POSTED WITH A
SLIDE DECK ATTACHED TO THE
AGENDA.
WE WILL BEGIN AS WE TYPICALLY
DO WITH PUBLIC COMMENT. MR.
CLERK, HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE
SIGNED UP TO PUBLICLY COMMENT?
>> WE HAVE TWO SIGNED INTO
COMMENT OVER THE PHONE.
LET ME CHECK AND SEE IF THERE
ARE ANY IN PERSON PUBLIC
COMMENTS.
MR. CHAIR, THERE IS NO ONE
SIGNED UP FOR IN PERSON PUBLIC
COMMENT.
WE HAVE CARL, WHO HAS SIGNED UP
, BUT IS NOT LISTED AS PRESENT.
AND WE HAVE JACOB SCHEER, WHO
IS LISTED AS PRESENT.
>> WHY DON'T WE JUST START WITH
MR. SCHEER?
TIME WILL BE SET AT TWO MINUTES.
>> MR. SCHEER, IF YOU COULD
PRESS STAR AND 60 WILL BE A
MUTED AND YOU CAN BEGIN YOUR
PUBLIC COMMENT WHEN READY.
>> HELLO.
THANK YOU.
I AM CALLING IN ON BEHALF OF
REAL CHANGE.
IT IS OUR FIRM OPPOSITION TO
THE TRANSFER OF CITY HALL PARK
FROM THE CITY OF SEATTLE TO THE
COUNTY.
IT IS ONE OF THE LAST BASES IN
THE DOWNTOWN CORE DOOR IN A
NEIGHBORHOOD WITH A HIGH
CONCENTRATION OF LOW INCOME
HOUSING.
THESE NEIGHBORS, AS WELL AS
FOLKS LIVING OUTDOORS, DESERVE
ACCESS TO PARKS AND GREEN
SPACES TOO.
THE PARK HAS BEEN FENCED OFF
AND INACCESSIBLE FOR MONTHS
NOW.
THAT IS THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT A
CITY PARK IS SUPPOSED TO BE.
THIS PARK SHOULD BE ACTIVATED
IMMEDIATELY AND MADE OPEN AND
ACCESSIBLE TO THE COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN THE CITY
SELLOFF PUBLIC LAND.
INCLUDING DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM
CITY HALL WHERE LAND IS GOING
TO BE USED FOR LUXURY
APARTMENT.
WE NEED PUBLIC HOUSING AND
PUBLIC PARKS ON CITY LAND.
NOT LUXURY APARTMENTS FOR THE
FEW AND GATED COMMUNITIES FOR
THE SUCCESSFUL.
-- IT'S A BAD-FAITH BARGAIN.
IT IS VALUABLE LAND IN A HIGH
DENSITY AREA, WHICH IS EXACTLY
THE TYPE OF SPACE NEEDED TO BE
ACCESSIBLE TO LOW INCOME AND
POOR PEOPLE IN OUR COMMITTEE.
KEEP PUBLIC LAND IN PUBLIC
HANDS AND KEEP CITY PARKS IN
CITY HANDS.
JUST ONE MOMENT.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, JACOB.
CHAIR, CARL HAS NOT YET SIGNED
IN.
THERE ARE NO OTHER PUBLIC
COMMENTERS PRESENT
>> OKAY.
WHY DON'T WE MOVE ON TO THE
AGENDA?
SORRY THAT NOT ALL OF THE
SIGNED UP COMMENTERS WERE
PRESENT TO COMMENT PUBLICLY IN
THE MEETING TODAY.
DO PLEASE SEND US YOUR WRITTEN
REMARKS IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE PUBLIC
COMMENT SESSION. THE COMMITTEE
IS HAPPY TO REVIEW THEM.
WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO OUR
FIRST AND ONLY AGENDA ITEM.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ THE
AGENDA ITEM INTO THE RECORD?
>> SEATTLE AQUARIUM OVERVIEW
AND UPDATES.
AGENDA ITEM ONE.
>> WE ARE JOINED BY A PANEL OF
FOLKS FROM THE SEATTLE AQUARIUM.
JUST FAN OUT ON THE SIDE THAT
IS CLOSER TO THE GALLERY.
I BELIEVE THE CLERK HAS YOUR
POWERPOINT PRESENTATION.
YOU CAN LOAD IT UP.
ONCE YOU GUYS GET SETTLED IN
THEIR PLEASE FEEL FREE TO
INTRODUCE YOURSELVES.
FEEL FREE TO ASK THE CLERK'S
ASSISTANCE IN STARTING THE
POWERPOINT PRESENTATION FOR THE
PUBLIC AND THE COMMITTEE.
CLAIMANT
>> YOU, MR. CHAIR.
MY NAME IS BOB DAVIDSON.
WE ARE JOINED TODAY BY A GREAT
PANEL THAT INCLUDES A SPECIAL
GUEST.
ONE OF THE AQUARIUMS
CONSULTANTS.
ROBIN LITTLE WING SIGO OF THE
SUQUAMISH NATION.
ERIN MEYER, THE AQUARIUMS
DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION . DR.
SUSAN BULLERDICK.
THE DIRECTOR OF CAPITAL
PROJECTS.
THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS
AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR A
CHANCE TO UPDATE THE CURRENT
AND FUTURE SEATTLE AQUARIUM.
WE PLANNED A 30 MINUTE
PRESENTATION WITH ROOM FOR
QUESTIONS AFTER.
IF MEMBERS HAVE A NEED TO RAISE
A QUESTION DURING, PLEASE DO.
JUST IN SENSE OF CONTEXT OF THE
ROLL OF THE SEATTLE AQUARIUM.
OUR LIVES ARE INCREASINGLY AWARE
THAT WE DEPEND ON THE OCEAN.
>> ONE MOMENT, MR. DAVIDSON.
MY SCREEN THAT I'M LOOKING AT
DOES NOT HAVE THE POWERPOINT
ACTIVE ON IT.
I DON'T KNOW IF I'M SHARING A
WINDOW WITH THE CLERK OR
SOMEBODY ELSE.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PUBLIC
YOU CAN SEE.
I.T., CAN I JUST CONFIRM THAT
THE PUBLIC CAN SEE THE REFERENCE
TO THE AQUARIUM PANEL?
>> I DON'T THINK SO.
IT NEEDS TO BE SHARED OUT.
I CAN SEE THE CLERK'S DESKTOP
>> THAT'S WHAT I SEE TOO.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE
BEFORE WE START GETTING INTO
IT.
GREAT.
>> THE SCREEN IS BEING SHARED
TO ZOOM.
I WILL ON SHARE AND TRY AGAIN.
>> MAY BE JUST SHARE THE
APPLICATION ON THE SCREEN.
>> EXCELLENT.
NOW I CAN SEE IT.
I.T., CAN YOU CONFIRM THAT YOU
SEE IT TOO?
>> I SEE IT.
THANK YOU.
>> GREAT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
SORRY FOR THE INTERRUPTION.
YOU CAN CONTINUE, BOB.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
OUR LIVES DEPEND UPON THE OCEAN.
THE OCEAN IS DESCRIBED AS THE
LIFE-SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR OUR
BLUE PLANET.
THE OCEAN IS THE SOURCE OF THE
AIR WE BREATHE, THE FOOD WE
EAT, THE RAIN THAT MAKES OUR
REGION GREEN.
MORE THAN HALF OF THE WORLD'S
OXYGEN COMES FROM THE OCEAN.
IT CONTROLS OUR CLIMATE AND
WEATHER.
SOME OF THE MOST BIO DIVERSE
HABITATS ARE FOUND IN THE
OCEAN.
80% OF IT HAS YET TO BE
EXPLORED.
TODAY THE OCEAN IS FACING
UNPRECEDENTED THREATS THAT
ENDANGER ALL LIFE ON EARTH.
INCLUDING HOURS.
THE OCEAN HAS ALREADY ABSORBED
90% OF THE EXCESS HEAT FROM
GLOBAL WARMING. SHIELDING US
FROM ITS WORST EFFECT.
ITS CAPACITY TO CONTINUE
ABSORBING HEAT IS LIMITED.
INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION,
OVERFISHING, OIL SPILLS,
HABITAT LOSS, ALL THREATEN OUR
OCEAN.
THERE ARE LOW DEAD ZONES OF NO
OXYGEN.
THE IMPACT OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES
IS CLEAR.
WE ARE ACCELERATING EXTINCTION
AND DESTRUCTION OF VITAL
ECOSYSTEMS.
DESPITE THESE THREATS LESS THAN
1% OF THE OCEAN IS CURRENTLY
PROTECTED FOR MARINE LIFE.
WE BELIEVE WE CAN GO, AND MUST
GO BEYOND LIMITING HARM AND
BEGIN TO REVERSE THE DAMAGE
DONE TO OUR OCEAN.
OUR VISION IS REGENERATION. A
NEW TERM FOR MANY.
WE CAN RESTORE A HEALTHY,
FLOURISHING OCEAN AND LEAVE OUR
PLANET AND OUR COMMUNITIES
BETTER THAN WE FOUND THEM.
MANY OF THE SOLUTIONS MAY
ALREADY EXIST.
AND MORE ARE RAPIDLY DEVELOPING.
WE HAVE ADVANCED RENEWABLE
ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES TO HELP
REDUCE THE USE OF FOSSIL FUELS.
SUSTAINABLE FISHING TECHNIQUES
CAN RESTORE HEALTHY FISHERIES
AND ENSURE FOOD SECURITY FOR
COASTAL COMMUNITIES.
CONSERVATION EFFORTS ARE
BEGINNING TO SHOW ASTOUNDING
SUCCESS IN REVERSING THE LOSS OF
SPECIES AND RESTORING
BIODIVERSITY.
AT THE SEATTLE AQUARIUM OUR
MISSION IS TO INSPIRE
CONSERVATION OF OUR MARINE
ENVIRONMENT.
THE AQUARIUM IS THE LARGEST
MARINE CONSERVATION INSTITUTION
IN THE NORTHWESTERN UNITED
STATES.
AT THIS CRITICAL MOMENT FOR OUR
OCEAN AND OUR PLANET OUR MISSION
COMPELS US TO ACT ON A GREATER
SCALE THAN EVER BEFORE.
I WOULD LIKE TO HAND IT OFF TO
DR. ERIN MEYER TO SHARE MORE
ABOUT THIS MISSION DRIVEN WORK
THAT IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY TO
CONSERVE AND PROTECT OUR ONE
WORLD OCEAN.
>> THANK YOU, BOB.
I WILL START BY SAYING HOW
FORTUNATE I FEEL TO BE LIVING
IN A CITY AND A REGION THAT IS
CLEARLY COMMITTED TO
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND
ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE.
IN THE SEATTLE AQUARIUM WE LEAD
THE REGION IN EDUCATION OF
CONSERVATION, FOCUSING ON
WASHINGTON WATERS.
WE SPARK WONDER AND INSPIRE
PEOPLE TO CARE FOR AND ACT ON
BEHALF OF THE OCEAN.
WE INVITE PARTICIPATION THROUGH
SHARED VALUES AND BOLD ACTION.
THE AQUARIUM CURRENTLY HAS OVER
800,000 VISITORS ANNUALLY OVER
A YEAR.
WE EXPECT THAT REACH WILL
EXPAND TO APPROXIMATELY 2
MILLION WHEN THE OCEAN PAVILION
AS PART OF OUR CAMPUS.
ABOUT 2200 TEENS HAVE
EXPERIENCED OUR YOUTH ADVOCATE
PROGRAM SINCE IT WAS LAUNCHED
BACK IN 1994.
THROUGH THAT PROGRAM THEY
ENGAGE IN OCEAN CONSERVATION,
EXHIBITOR INTERPRETATION, AND
OCEAN ADVOCACY.
AT LEAST 50,000 FREE COMMUNITY
TICKETS AND 200,000 FREE
MEMBERSHIPS ANNUALLY TO MORE
THAN 100 PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
THAT SERVE TRADITIONALLY
UNDERSERVED AND
UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES TO
ENSURE OUR SPACES HAVE ACCESS
FOR ALL.
CONSERVATION, EDUCATION, AND
OUTREACH ARE CORE PARTS OF OUR
MISSION.
THE OCEAN PAVILION WILL ALLOW
US TO EXPAND OUR EFFORTS TO
REACH THOUSANDS MORE YOUNG
PEOPLE AND INSPIRE THE NEXT
GENERATION TO TAKE ACTION FOR
THE OCEAN IN THEIR DAILY LIVES.
ALSO IN A TYPICAL YEAR ABOUT
40,000 STUDENTS FROM 2000
SCHOOL DISTRICTS FROM ACROSS
THE STATE ARE ENROLLED IN
SEATTLE AQUARIUM SCHOOL
PROGRAMS.
IN ADDITION TO OUR ON-SITE
VISITORS, LIKE 800,000, WE
CONNECTED TO ABOUT 75,000
PEOPLE ON RIVERS AND BEACHES
ALONG OUR WATERFRONTS.
AS A KEY PILLAR OF OUR
CONSERVATION WORK WE ALSO
ADVANCE AND ADVOCATE FOR LOCAL,
REGIONAL, AND NATIONAL POLICIES
THAT HELP RESTORE HEALTHY OCEAN
ECOSYSTEMS AND SUPPORT MARINE
LIFE.
WE HAVE HELPED TO SHAPE AND
PASS BILLS THAT WILL PREVENT
POLLUTION AND PROTECT OUR
HABITAT FOR THE ORC'S THAT ARE
LEFT IN OUR WATERS.
SINCE 2018 WE HAVE SERVED ON
THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF A
WASHINGTON COALITION TO KEEP
PLASTIC POLLUTION OUT OF OUR
WATERWAYS AND REDUCE THE
IMPACTS ON OVERBURDENED
COMMUNITIES.
WE ALSO SERVE ON THE ADVISORY
COMMITTEE, THE QUIET SOUND
LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE, AND
WASHINGTON SEA GRANT COMMITTEE,
AS WELL AS OTHERS, TO HELP
SHAPE AND GRANT -- ACTIVITIES
THAT HELP PROMOTE RESTORATION,
REDUCE UNDERWATER NOISE, AND ANY
OTHER THING THAT NEGATIVELY
IMPACTS OUR STATE.
WE RECENTLY LAUNCHED A SPECIES
RECOVERY PROGRAM.
WE HAVE UNIQUE EXPERIENCE AND
EXPERTISE THAT WE CAN BRING TO
BEAR TO SAVE SPECIES FROM
EXTINCTION.
THE FIRST PROGRAM THAT WE
LAUNCHED TOGETHER WITH PARTNERS
LAST YEAR, WE BUILT A NURSERY
ON SITE FOR THE SPECIES YOU SEE
PICTURED HERE.
IT IS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES
HERE IN WASHINGTON.
AFTER JUST ABOUT 50 YEARS OF
RECREATIONAL FISHING WE HAVE
LOST 98% OF THIS SPECIES IN OUR
STATE.
IT WAS LISTED AS ENDANGERED BY
OUR STAY IN 2019.
WE HAVE RECENTLY PARTNERED WITH
THE RESTORATION FUND AND
OFFICIAL WILDLIFE, AMONG
OTHERS, TO RESTORE THIS SPECIES
TO WASHINGTON WATERS.
JUST A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO WE
RELEASED ABOUT 1000 OF THEM TO
UNDISCLOSED LOCATIONS IN OUR
WATERWAYS.
AS A PART OF OUR SPECIES
RECOVERY PROGRAM WE HAVE HELPED
LAUNCH A GLOBAL INITIATIVE THAT
WE CALL, RE-SHARK.
WE ARE QUITE LITERALLY PUTTING
SHARKS BACK INTO THE OCEAN.
13 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD
RECOGNIZE THERE ARE ABOUT 400
SPECIES OF SHARKS THAT ARE
CURRENTLY LISTED AS THREATENED
OR ENDANGERED.
MANY OF WHICH ARE NOT
RESPONDING TO THINGS LIKE AREA
PROTECTIONS OR FISHERY
PROTECTIONS.
WE, AS AN AQUARIUM, PUT OUR
UNIQUE EXPERTISE TO WORK --
GEARING UP FOR OUR FIRST
SHIPMENT FOR OUR FIRST SPECIES,
WHICH IS FOCUSED ON LEOPARD
SHARKS.
IF ALL GOES WELL IN NEXT COUPLE
OF WEEKS WE WILL BE MOVING OUR
FIRST ROUND OF EGGS FROM
AUSTRALIA TO INDONESIA AND
HATCHERIES BUILT BY LOCAL
COMMUNITIES.
THE SUBSEQUENT PUPS WILL BE
CARED FOR BY AQUARISTS FROM THE
LOCAL COMMUNITY ON SITE.
WE AT THE SEATTLE AQUARIUM
WORKED REALLY HARD EVERYDAY TO
PROVIDE A WELCOMING SPACE WHERE
NEW OCEAN ADVOCATES OF ALL AGES
CAN COME AND CONNECT AND
RECONNECT WITH THE OCEAN'S
INSPIRING LIFE AND LEARN HOW
THEY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR
OUR OCEAN.
WE ARE ALSO ON THE WATER,
UNDERWATER, TAKING ACTION HERE
LOCALLY AS WELL AS ON THE OTHER
SIDE OF THE PACIFIC AS WE LOOK
TO THE FUTURE WE ARE EXCITED
ABOUT EXPANDING OUR REACH AND
EXPANDING OUR ENGAGEMENT
PLATFORM.
AND WITH THAT I'M PLEASED TO
HAND THE PRESENTATION OFF TO
MIKE COLLEAGUE, DR. SUSAN
BULLERDICK , TO SHARE MORE
ABOUT OUR OCEAN PROJECT.
>> THANK YOU.
GOOD AFTERNOON. THE OCEAN
PAVILION WILL BE A CIVIC
LANDMARK AT THE HEART OF
SEATTLE'S WATERFRONT,
RECONNECTING THE CITY'S URBAN
CORE.
YOU CAN SEE THIS IN THE
BACKGROUND OF THE NEW BUILDING
IN THE IMAGE.
PROMINENTLY SITUATED AROUND THE
OVERLOOK WALK, CONNECTING PIKE
PLACE MARKET TO THE WATERFRONT.
THE OCEAN PAVILION IS ESSENTIAL
TO THE NEW WATERFRONT
EXPERIENCE.
THIS $160 MILLION EFFORT IS THE
FIRST PART OF A MULTI-PHASE
TRANSFORMATIONAL MASTER PLAN TO
BECOME THE WORLD'S FIRST
REGENERATIVE AQUARIUM.
THIS STRIKING NEW CONSTRUCTION
WILL EXPAND OUR CAMPUS AT THE
HEART OF SEATTLE'S WATERFRONT
AND ADD A GLOBAL FOCUS TO OUR
EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS AND
PROGRAMS.
IT WILL EXPAND OUR CAPACITY FOR
DIRECT CONSERVATION ACTION
AROUND THE WORLD.
FROM OVERLOOK WALK AND THE
ROOFTOP OF THE OCEAN PAVILION
VISITORS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS
WILL ENJOY SWEEPING VIEWS OF
PUGET SOUND SEATTLE WATERFRONT
AND THE PORT.
NATIVE PLANTS PROVIDE HABITAT
FOR LOCAL BIRDS AS PART IS A
SHARED ENVIRONMENT FOR HUMANS
AND WILDLIFE ALIKE.
VIEWS OF THE MOUNTAINS AND
ELLIOTT BAY, THE OCEAN PAVILION
ROOFTOP AND WATERFRONT PLAZA
WILL BE AN INVITING PLACE FOR
THE COMMUNITY COULD CONNECT
WITH NATURE AND LOCAL WILDLIFE.
INCLUDING BIRDS, FISH,
JELLYFISH, SEALS, AND OTHER
ANIMALS THAT THRIVE THERE.
WITH A WELCOMING ROOFTOP SPACE
DESIGNED FOR COMMUNITIES,
DESIGNED BY BRAIN-BASED
KNOWLEDGE, THE PAVILION WILL
FOSTER A CONNECTION AMONG PEOPLE
AND INSPIRE CIVIC PRIDE.
WE ARE EXCITED TO DELIVER NEW
PEDESTRIAN PATHWAYS CONNECTING
THE WATERFRONT WITH THE CITY,
INCLUDING A NEW PUBLIC ELEVATOR
AND STAIRS.
OUTDOOR SPACES WILL ENABLE
VIBRANT CULTURAL PROGRAMMING
AND SUPPORT OUTDOOR RECREATION
WHILE CREATING OPPORTUNITIES
FOR PEOPLE TO LEARN ABOUT THE
MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND HOW THEY
ARE PERSONALLY CONNECTED TO IT
IN THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES.
THE OCEAN PAVILION EXPANDED
SEATTLE AQUARIUM CAMPUS WILL BE
A PLACE TO LINGER.
A CENTRAL PROMINENT LINK AMONG
SEATTLE'S MOST ICONIC
DESTINATIONS IN CREATING A MORE
WALKABLE, MORE ENJOYABLE URBAN
EXPERIENCE.
VISITORS WILL BE ABLE TO LOOK
INTO THE OCEAN PAVILION FROM
THE WATERFRONT PLAZA AND
SEQUENCES OF TROPICAL MARINE
LIFE, EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS, AND
ART.
FREE LIFE INTERPRETATION
DIVIDED BY AQUARIUM STAFF AND
VOLUNTEERS OUTSIDE OF THE
AQUARIUM WILL INSPIRE VISITORS
TO CONNECT WITH THE AQUARIUM'S
CONSERVATION MISSION, WHETHER
OR NOT THEY PURCHASE A TICKET.
THE OCEAN PAVILION WILL BE THE
ANCHOR FOR OUR REVITALIZED
AQUARIUM CAMPUS AND THE FIRST
AQUARIUM AND CITY BUILDING TO
FEATURE A REGENERATIVE DESIGN.
THE SEATTLE AQUARIUM HAS
PARTICIPATED IN A LIVING,
BREATHING CHALLENGE AS THE
FIRST AQUARIUM TO BE PEDAL
CERTIFIED.
WE AIM TO ACHIEVE CLIMATE
POSITIVE STANDARDS ACROSS OUR
ENTIRE CAMPUS, INCLUDING THE
OCEAN PAVILION.
THE OPERATIONS IN THE OCEAN
PAVILION WILL BE 100% FUEL FREE
WITH A FOCUS ON CLIMATE
POSITIVE ENERGY USE THAT IS
GENERATING MORE ENERGY THAN IT
CONSUMES THROUGH SOLAR ENERGY
OFFSETS.
BY ACHIEVING THESE STANDARDS
AND CONTINUING TO PUSH FOR MORE
REGENERATIVE SOLUTIONS ACROSS
OUR CAMPUS WE WILL LEAD THE WAY
TO A NEW ERA OF SUSTAINABLE
URBAN DEVELOPMENT.
THE OCEAN PAVILION'S GLOBAL
FOCUS WILL COMPLEMENT AND
ENHANCE OUR CURRENT
INTERPRETATION IN EDUCATION
THAT IS FOCUSED ON THE
WASHINGTON WATERS.
WE SHARE A ONE WORLD OCEAN.
FROM PUGET SOUND TO THE
TROPICS.
THERE ARE ACTIONS HERE IN THE
PACIFIC NORTHWEST THAT HAVE AN
IMPACT ON MARINE ECOSYSTEMS
AROUND THE WORLD.
THE OCEAN PAVILION WILL BE
SEATTLE'S WINDOW TO THE WORLD'S
WATERS.
IT WILL CREATE MEANINGFUL
CONNECTIONS WITH SPECIES FROM
THE CORAL TRIANGLE, ADVISING
VISITORS TO LEARN ABOUT MARINE
LIFE ACROSS THE GLOBE AND BUILD
EMPATHY THAT INSPIRES ACTION.
IT WILL BE HOME TO
APPROXIMATELY 3500 TROPICAL FISH
AND INVERTEBRATES, INCLUDING 30
SPECIES OF CORAL.
ALL SUSTAINABLY SOURCED THROUGH
PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER
AQUARIUMS AND SUPPLIERS.
WITH THE OCEAN PAVILION'S
ACCESSIBILITY DESIGN EXHIBITS
WE WILL MODEL SAFE, HUMANE
MARINE ANIMAL CARE FOR AN
ENDANGERED SPECIES AND SUPPORT
OUR SPECIES RECOVERY
ACTIVITIES, AS WAS REFERENCED BY
DR. MYERS.
IT WILL BE A CENTERPIECE WITH
ADVANCED PROJECTION TECHNOLOGY
THAT CREATES AN IMMERSIVE
EXPERIENCE USING THE FLOORS AND
WALLS.
STAFF WILL LEAD VISITORS
THROUGH LIVE PROGRAMMING THAT
SHARES THE SCALE AND STORY OF
THE OCEAN.
ITS IMPORTANCE AND
UNFORGETTABLE UNIQUE
EXPERIENCES.
THE OCEAN PAVILION WILL FEATURE
THE MAIN CANYON EXHIBIT,
INTRODUCING VISITORS TO MANY
KINDS OF MARINE LIFE THAT
INHABIT CORAL REEFS.
FULL-TIME INTERPRETATION OF THE
REEF AND FISH EXHIBITS WILL
CREATE A LIVING STORY OF
HABITAT COMPLEXITY AND FUNCTION.
THE OCEAN PAVILION WILL ALSO
FEATURE GLIMPSES INTO BEHIND
THE SCENES OF THE ANIMAL CARE
AND PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
AND INTERACTIVE PROGRAM SPACES.
HANDS-ON LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
WILL BE POSSIBLE, AUGMENTED BY
LIVE INSTRUCTION AND VIDEO.
SEATTLE AQUARIUM HONORS OUR
LOCAL LOCATION ON THE
CONTEMPORARY TERRITORIES OF THE
-- PEOPLE.
TO DEEPEN OUR CONNECTION WITH
THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY WE
MADE IT A PRIORITY THROUGHOUT
THE DESIGN PROCESS TO INVOLVE
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE
SUQUAMISH AND URBAN INDIAN
COMMUNITY.
THEY HAVE BROUGHT TO THE
PROJECT A DEATH OF INDIGENOUS
KNOWLEDGE THAT IS INTEGRATED
BOTH IN AND OUTSIDE OF THE
BUILDING.
ONE OF THOSE REPRESENTATIVES,
ROBIN LITTLE WING SIGO OF THE
SUQUAMISH NATION.
IT IS MY HONOR TO HAVE HER HERE
TO SHARE MORE ABOUT THIS
COCREATIVE WORK.
ROBIN?
>> THANK YOU.
I'M HONORED TO BE HERE TODAY.
I'M REALLY EXCITED.
I WANT TO CALL ATTENTION TO
THIS PHOTO RIGHT HERE, WHICH
HAS MY TWO TWINS. THEY ARE
ABOUT TO BE 13 NOW.
AND MY LITTLE NIECE, SHYLA.
AND MY DEAR FRIEND AND COUSIN,
KATE.
THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN IN THE
DARK DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC WHEN
WE WEREN'T QUITE SURE WHAT WAS
HAPPENING OR HOW THOSE THINGS
-- HOW THE VACCINES WERE GOING.
WE WERE TRYING TO BE REALLY,
REALLY CAREFUL.
WE ALSO WANTED TO BLESS THIS
GROUNDBREAKING BECAUSE WE KNEW
THAT IT WAS A REALLY IMPORTANT
TIME FOR THE AQUARIUM.
FOR THE LAND THAT WAS THERE.
BREAKING GROUND IS SOMETHING
THAT'S VERY SACRED TO US.
ESPECIALLY IN THIS SPOT HERE.
OUR GOAL THAT DAY, IT WAS OUR
FIRST ADVENTURE TO SEATTLE SINCE
MARCH, 2020.
MY LAST ADVENTURE WAS TO MEET
WITH -- TO COME UP WITH SOME
NEW THINGS FOR THIS PARTICULAR
PROJECT.
IT WAS REALLY A WONDERFUL WAY
TO BE WELCOMED. OUR GOAL THAT
DAY WAS TO DO THE
GROUNDBREAKING AND TO DO IT IN
A REALLY GOOD WAY.
THESE GIRLS HELPED US MAKE THE
NECKLACES THAT WE PASSED OUT.
THOSE NECKLACES ARE REALLY AN
IMPORTANT PART OF WITNESSING.
WHAT WE WANT TO REMEMBER IS
THAT ORAL TRADITIONS ARE STILL
REALLY IMPORTANT. ORAL
HISTORIES ARE STILL REALLY
IMPORTANT.
WE WANTED TO HAVE THESE YOUNG
WOMEN HERE TO GROW UP AND TELL
THE STORY ABOUT HOW THE OCEAN
PAVILION WAS DEVELOPED IN A
REALLY GOOD WAY.
IN A WAY THAT WELCOMED NOT JUST
THE PEOPLE WHO WERE THERE, NOT
JUST HOPING AND PRAYING AND
HOLDING SPACE FOR THE PEOPLE
WHO ARE WORKING ON THE PROJECT.
BUT FOR THAT LAND, FOR THE
ANIMALS THAT ARE RIGHT THERE.
FOR THE NEW ANIMALS THAT WILL
BE COMING IN AT A LATER DATE.
I THINK THAT THIS PICTURE
REALLY SIGNIFIES THAT EVEN IN
THE DARK DAYS WE FIND MOMENTS
OF PEACE AND HEALING AND
INSPIRATION.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD, NOT JUST
TO GETTING THESE KIDS TO HAVE
THAT OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT
ALSO THE PART WHERE THEY ARE T
CONNECTING WITH FUTURE
GENERATIONS BY DOING THIS TYPE
OF WORK.
THEY DON'T KNOW IT AS WORK
RIGHT YET.
THEY JUST KNOW IT AS BEING
VOLATILE TO DO SOMETHING BY
THEIR PARENTS AND THEY CAME
OVER.
THEY MET SOME REALLY NICE PEOPLE
WHO GAVE THEM STUFFED ANIMALS
AND SEATTLE AQUARIUM THINGS.
WE WENT THROUGH THERE AND IT
WAS OUR FIRST PLACE AROUND A
LOT OF PEOPLE.
THEY DID SO GREAT AT WEARING
THEIR MASKS.
THEY HAVE ALL BEEN VACCINATED
SINCE THEN.
I FEEL LIKE THIS PHOTO, WHEN I
FIRST SAW IN THE PRESENTATION,
I FELT VERY SHOCKED AND HAPPY
ABOUT IT.
NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.
AT OUR FIRST INTERTRIBAL
SEATTLE AQUARIUM MEETING, I
WANT TO SAY THAT WAS FIVE YEARS
AGO AT THIS POINT.
I BROUGHT THOSE TWO TWINS THAT
ARE ABOUT TO BE 13.
THEY WERE ONLY EIGHT YEARS OLD.
I DECIDED TO TAKE THEM OUT OF
SCHOOL BECAUSE I, AS A CHILD,
ALWAYS LOVED GOING TO THE
AQUARIUM.
IT WAS ONE OF THE TRACKS WE
MADE OVER FOR SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES.
EVEN WHEN WE COULDN'T GO IN,
BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE VERY
MUCH MONEY TO GO INTO THE
AQUARIUM, MY DAD WOULD STILL
WALK US ON THE OUTSIDE WHERE WE
COULD SEE THE SALMON AND
THINGS.
WE COULD SEE THOSE OUTSIDE
PIECES.
THAT WAS ONE OF THE IMPORTANT
PARTS THAT I WANTED TO BRING TO
THIS CONVERSATION.
MAKING SURE THERE WERE THOSE
OUTSIDE PIECES.
IT DIDN'T MATTER IF YOU HAD THE
MONEY OR NOT TO PAY FOR IT.
YOU STILL GOT TO BE IMMERSED IN
THAT EXPERIENCE.
THERE WAS STILL SOMETHING TO
TELL RIGHT THERE.
THE SEATTLE AQUARIUM HAS LOTS
OF WAYS TO HELP PEOPLE THAT
CANNOT AFFORD THAT AT THIS
POINT.
WE ALSO DISCUSSED AT THE
MEETING THE VIBRANCY OF OCEAN
PLANTS AND ANIMALS.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO SHARE THOSE
SUCCESSES WHILE ALSO EDUCATING
ON THE DANGERS AND THE NEW
TECHNOLOGIES WE HAVE TO DEAL
WITH THINGS LIKE OCEAN
ACIDIFICATION.
LOOKING AT THE IMPORTANCE OF
ORAL HISTORIES AND THE
WITNESSING PROCESS THAT HAS
BEEN WITH OUR TRIBE SINCE TIME
IMMEMORIAL.
I KNOW IT'S WITH A LOT OF OTHER
COMMUNITIES TOO.
WE WITNESSED THAT PIECE.
WE HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE.
WE MAKE SURE THAT LAND AND THAT
C IS AVAILABLE FOR THE PEOPLE
THAT NEED IT.
IN THIS SPIRIT I WAS HONORED TO
THE AQUARIUM TEAM OFFERED ME AN
OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO BALI WITH
THEM TO VISIT THE CORAL
TRIANGLE CENTER.
THERE IS A PART THAT FELT VERY
UNCOMFORTABLE, TRYING TO MAKE
SURE WE WERE REPRESENTING A
CULTURE THAT I DID NOT KNOW
VERY WELL.
I WAS SO BLOWN AWAY BY WHAT I
EXPERIENCED IN BALI THOMAS
SEEING WHAT WAS GOING ON AND
THE COMMONALITIES BETWEEN MY
TRIBE AND THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
THERE.
AND RECOGNIZING THAT ONE OCEAN
CONCEPT.
THAT THE SAME OCEAN IS THE SAME
OCEAN THAT MY DAD FISHES IN.
IT'S THE SAME OCEAN THAT WE ARE
BRINGING BACK BASKET COCKLES
WITH.
IT'S THE SAME ONE THAT WE USE
TO COMMUTE ON A JOURNEY.
THAT WAS REALLY POWERFUL FOR
ME.
I LEARNED A LOT FROM THAT TRIP.
I CAME BACK FEELING EVEN MORE
PASSIONATE ABOUT MAKING SURE
THAT THIS CONCEPT OF ONE OCEAN,
THIS CONCEPT OF HOW WE WELCOME
THESE ANIMALS AND THESE PLANS
BACK HERE. I THINK THAT THIS
WAS A REALLY AMAZING OPPORTUNITY
. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.
IN KEEPING WITH THAT SENSE OF
MAKING SURE WE HEAR FROM THE
COMMUNITY THE PROCESS FOR
GETTING THE ART HAS BEEN
ANOTHER ONE THAT HAD A LOT OF
REPRESENTATIVES ON THE
COMMITTEE.
THIS IS DAN.
HIS PRESENTATION, ALL OF THE
PRESENTATIONS WERE SO GOOD.
IT WAS REALLY DIFFICULT. I
SHOULDN'T SAY IT WAS DIFFICULT.
IT WAS A REAL HONOR TO GET TO
SIT AND WATCH THESE
PRESENTATIONS AND THINK ABOUT
THEIR ARTISTIC INTERPRETATION
OF WHAT WE WERE DOING AND WHAT
WE DESCRIBED, AND THE
EMBODIMENT OF THAT IN THOSE
PIECES.
IT WAS DEFINITELY CLEAR THAT
DAN WAS THE RIGHT PERSON FOR
THIS JOB.
HERE'S THIS GREAT IMAGE OF HIM.
ANNA GIVES THIS REALLY NICE
MOVEMENT, WHICH WE ARE HOPING
WILL REALLY COME THROUGH IN THE
INSTALLATION ONCE IT'S THERE
WITH THESE LOAN GLASS SALMON.
NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.
YOU WILL FIND ON THE OUTSIDE,
AS SUSAN WAS TALKING ABOUT, THE
DIFFERENT WAYS IN WHICH THE
OCEAN PAVILION, UPLAND TO LOW-
END PART, THEY ARE WORKING WITH
VALERIE. SHE IS INCREDIBLE AT
THIS.
I LEARNED A LOT ANYTIME SHE'S
SPEAKING.
BUT REALLY LOOKING AT WHAT SOME
OF THOSE NATURAL PLANTS WERE,
THAT WERE RIGHT HERE.
THEY WERE ACTUALLY GATHERED IN
THE SPOT.
RECOGNIZING DAN.
MAKING SURE THAT PRINCESS
ANGELINE'S PLACE WAS WITHIN A
STONE'S THROW ON THIS AREA.
SHE WOULD HAVE LOOKED DOWN ON
THIS PLACE.
FINDING ALL OF THOSE DIFFERENT
CONNECTIONS WAS REALLY
WONDERFUL.
THERE WILL BE A LOT OF
OPPORTUNITIES FOR
INTERPRETATION.
BOTH BY VOLUNTEER STAFF, BUT
ALSO THAT ORAL HISTORY PART.
THE PART THAT YOU REMEMBER AS A
CHILD BECAUSE YOU ARE CLOSER TO
THE GROUND.
BECAUSE YOU ARE HOLDING A GROWN-
UPS HAND.
THOSE KIND OF PIECES THAT YOU
GET TO SHARE.
THOSE ARE THE STORIES THAT
CONNECT US IN COMMUNITY AND
FAMILIES.
THEY BUILD RESILIENCE WITHIN
OUR COMMUNITY.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO BUILDING
THAT RESILIENCE WITHIN THE
CLIMATE.
WITHIN THE OCEAN.
NEXT SLIDE.
I'M GOING TO PASS THIS ONE OVER.
>> THANK YOU, ROBIN.
THE OCEAN PAVILION, AS YOU LOOK
AT THIS IMAGE, YOU CAN SEE IT
ON THE WEST FACING SIDE.
IT'S A WOOD INSIDE.
THAT IS TO REPRESENT THE MORE
COASTAL AREA IN REFERENCE TO
WHAT ROBIN WAS SPEAKING TO.
WE ARE USING ALASKAN NATIVE
YELLOW WOOD FOR THAT.
IT IS SOURCED FROM AN
INDIGENOUS COMPANY IN CANADA.
ALASKAN YELLOW CEDAR ON THE
OUTSIDE, WHICH WE KNOW IS VERY
SACRED AS WELL.
AS YOU ARE AWARE THERE IS A LOT
OF CONSTRUCTION HAPPENING ALONG
THE WATERFRONT.
OUR TEAM CONTINUES TO WORK VERY
CLOSELY WITH THE CITY'S TEAM ON
THE GROUND.
THE COORDINATION IS GOING VERY
WELL.
HERE IS A PHOTO OF WHAT THE
SITE CURRENTLY LOOKS LIKE.
YOU CAN SEE THERE IS A LOT
HAPPENING IN VARIOUS PLACES.
THE SOUTH IS TO YOUR RIGHT AND
THE NORTH IS TO YOUR LEFT, JUST
TO GIVE YOU SOME PERSPECTIVE.
WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON THE
FORM FOR THE LARGE MAIN EXHIBIT.
IT HAS OVER 100 PIECES IN THAT
FORM.
IF YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE
YOU'LL SEE THE PIECES.
THIS IS SORT OF LIKE A PUZZLE
THAT IS BEING PUT TOGETHER.
ALL OF THOSE PIECES COME
TOGETHER TO HELP FORM THE LARGE
MAIN EXHIBIT.
THAT EXHIBIT ALSO PROVIDES
SUPPORT FOR THE PUBLIC ROOFTOP.
SO THERE'S A LOT HAPPENING IN
THIS PROCESS.
OVER THE NEXT TWO MONTHS, OR
ACTUALLY MONTH AND A HALF, YOU
WILL BE SEEING THIS FORM
STARTING TO COME UP ON THE
WATERFRONT.
YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE
BUILDING SUPPORTS IN THE LEGS
OF THAT LARGE EXHIBIT.
DO YOU WANT TO GO TO THE NEXT
ONE PLEASE?
ON THE BLUE AREA, THE AREA
LOOKING INTO THE LARGE CORAL
CANYON EXHIBIT THAT WE WERE
TALKING ABOUT EARLIER.
AND TO THE RIGHT IS THAT PUBLIC
VIEW THAT YOU CAN SEE INTO THE
MAIN EXHIBIT. INTO THE OCULUS
AND THE LOBBY BELOW THAT.
SO YOU START TO SEE SOME OF THE
WALLS OF THE LARGE EXHIBIT
COMING UP.
NEXT.
HERE, YOU CAN SEE WALLS FOR THE
BUILDING.
BOTH TO THE EAST AT THE TOP AND
THE WEST SIDE IN THE FOREGROUND
AS WELL.
NEXT.
AS YOU CAN SEE, THE OCEAN
PAVILION AND AQUARIUM ART
QUICKLY TAKING SHAPE.
WE WELCOME YOU TO COME DOWN TO
THE AQUARIUM AND TOUR THE
CONSTRUCTION SITE.
WE WILL BE PLANNING TO OPEN THE
OCEAN PAVILION IN SPRING OF
2024.
I JUST WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO
THINK COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS,
PRESIDENT JUAREZ, AND OTHER
COUNCILMEMBERS FOR WELCOMING US
TODAY TO GIVE US THIS UPDATE
ON THE SEATTLE AQUARIUM.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT
PRESENTATION.
I'M EXCITED NOW TO GET TO THE
PART WHERE WE GET TO ASK SOME
QUESTIONS ABOUT NOT ONLY THE
AQUARIUM BUT ALSO THESE FUTURE
EXPANSION PLANS GOING FORWARD
ON THE OCEAN PAVILION, WHICH IS
VERY EXCITING FOR ALL OF US.
I WANT TO START OUT BY SAYING
THAT IN MY POSITION, BEING IN
THE POSITION TO SERVE ALONG WITH
THE EX-OFFICIAL OF THE AQUARIUM
BOARD TO LOOK AFTER THE CITY.
THE INVESTMENT AND INTERESTS.
IT HAS BEEN REALLY, REALLY
INSPIRING TO GET ACQUAINTED
WITH THE DEEP AND PASSIONATE
MISSION OF CONSERVATION THAT
SITS WITHIN THE AQUARIUM
ORGANIZATION.
I'M HAPPY TO INVITE A RESPONSE
THAT RESPONDS TO THE
CONSERVATION MISSION GENERALLY.
THIS IS JUST AT THE TIP OF MY
MIND IN KICKING OFF THE
QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION.
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF COVERAGE
RECENTLY REGARDING THE CEDAR
RIVER SALMON RUN.
AND THE FUTURE OF THAT SOCKEYE
RUN WITHIN THE CITY OF SEATTLE.
THE ONLY SALMON RUN THAT RUNS
ENTIRELY THROUGH THE CITY OF
SEATTLE FRESHWATER WATERWAYS.
I WONDER IF ANYONE ON THE PANEL
WOULD LIKE TO EXPAND ON WAYS IN
WHICH THE AQUARIUM HAS BEEN A
STRONG PUBLIC PARTNER ON
FISHERIES, SALMON IN
PARTICULAR.
BUT ALSO ANY ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION IF FOLKS WANT TO
FILL IN A LITTLE BIT MORE THE
CONSERVATION MISSION AND SOME
OF THE ONGOING INITIATIVES THAT
THE AQUARIUM HAS.
I THINK THAT WORK HAS BEEN
REALLY INSPIRING TO GET TO KNOW
BETTER.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS WOULD BE
INTERESTED IN ASKING ADDITIONAL
FOLLOW-UPS AS WELL.
>> GREAT.
I FEEL LIKE I SHOULD START WITH
OUR CEDAR RIVER SALMON JOURNEY
PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE BEEN
OPERATING FOR A COUPLE OF
DECADES NOW WITH A VARIETY OF
PARTNERS.
THAT'S A PROGRAM THAT WE RUN
ANNUALLY WHERE WE BRING STAFF
AND VOLUNTEERS OUT ALONG THE
CEDAR RIVER TO EDUCATE PEOPLE.
JUST THE PUBLIC COMING BY.
TO COME BY AND LEARN ABOUT
SALMON, LEARN ABOUT THE
CHALLENGES THEY FACE, AND LEARN
WHAT THEY CAN DO TO BE PART OF
A SOLUTION.
ALSO BEING DOWN AROUND THE
WATERFRONT.
AMONG ALL OF THE THINGS WE'VE
BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT HAS
BEEN EXCITING ON THE WATERFRONT
REDEVELOPMENT.
A PART OF THAT 20 TO 25 BLOCK
PARK.
THERE'S GOING TO BE WATER
FILTRATION, STORM WATER
POLLUTION FILTRATION HAPPENING
ALONG OUR WATERFRONT FOR THE
FIRST TIME SINCE THERE WERE
WETLANDS ALONG THERE.
WHICH WAS A LONG TIME AGO.
WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT WILL HELP
RESTORE WATER QUALITY TO
ELLIOTT BAY AND OTHER PARTS
ALONG OUR URBAN WATERFRONTS.
IT'S A NICE DOVETAIL OF WORK
THAT HAPPENED TO TRANSFORM THE
SEAWALL INTO SOMETHING THAT IS
CREATING ENABLING CONDITIONS
FOR LIFE FOR SALMON THAT MIGRATE
ALONG THE URBAN WATERWAYS.
IN THINKING OF SOME OF OUR
OTHER PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS
THAT HELP SUPPORT SALMON AND
ROCKFISH AND DAUGHTERS, MY
GOODNESS.
WE HAVE OVER ONE DOZEN ACTIVE
RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION
PROJECTS HERE AT HOME
THROUGHOUT THE OUTER COAST OF
WASHINGTON.
WE HAVE ACTIVE PROJECTS IN
HAWAII AND ON THE OTHER SIDE OF
THE PACIFIC.
FOCUSING AT HOME FOR A MOMENT.
THERE IS AN EXCITING NEW
PROJECT IN PARTNERSHIP THAT WE
JUST RECENTLY LAUNCHED WITH THE
PORT OF SEATTLE.
WE ARE DOING RESEARCH TO
UNDERSTAND WHAT'S HAPPENING
WITH OUR KELP FORESTS ALONG OUR
URBAN WATERWAYS.
WHY THEY ARE WHERE THEY ARE SO
THAT WE CAN BETTER SUPPORT
RESTORATION OF KELP FORESTS IN
OUR URBAN WATERWAYS.
RECOGNIZING THAT KELP IS
STRUGGLING ALL AROUND
WASHINGTON'S WATERS.
FOR MANY REASONS IT'S IMPORTANT
TO START RIGHT HERE IN OUR
WATERFRONT, WHERE WE CANNOT
ONLY HELP SUPPORT HEALTH
ECOSYSTEMS BUT IT ALSO IS AN
INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO
ENGAGE OUR URBAN COMMUNITIES TO
HELP PEOPLE SEE AND UNDERSTAND
WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT HERE AT
HOME WHERE YOU ARE WALKING
ALONG THE WATERFRONT.
THERE'S A LOT OF LIFE RIGHT
UNDERWATER AND INDEED UNDER
YOUR FEET WHEN YOU ARE WALKING
ALONG THE WATERFRONT.
THE AQUARIUM HAS, AS I
MENTIONED, OVER ONE DOZEN
PROJECTS.
WE HAVE HAD A LONG-TERM PROGRAM
ON SEA OTTERS ON THE OUTER COAST
, WHERE WE MONITOR THEIR HEALTH
. WE MONITOR WHAT THEY ARE
EATING AND WHERE THEY ARE
EATING SO WE CAN UNDERSTAND
WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THAT
SPECIES THAT WAS REINTRODUCED
TO OUR WATERS AFTER IT WAS
ALMOST FULLY EXTINCT.
I IMAGINE WE WILL BE CONTINUING
THAT PROJECT FOR A LONG, LONG
TIME INTO THE FUTURE.
WE ARE COUPLING THAT WITH SOME
WORK NOW TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS
HAPPENING UNDERWATER.
ANOTHER NEW PROJECT THAT WE
LAUNCHED WITH FUNDING FROM THE
NORTH PACIFIC COAST MRC --
AMONG OTHERS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT
IS HAPPENING WITH KELP FORESTS
AND ECOSYSTEMS OVER THERE.
I COULD GO ON AND ON FOR HOURS
TALKING ABOUT OUR PROJECTS AND
PROGRAMS.
I WILL PAUSE THERE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I DEFINITELY ENCOURAGE COUNSEL
COLLEAGUES, IF THEY HAVE THE
TIME AND CAPACITY, TO GO AND
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AN IN PERSON
TO HER WHERE THIS INFORMATION
ABOUT THE CONSERVATION
INITIATIVE IS READILY
AVAILABLE.
A BIG PART OF THAT VISIT.
TWO COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS?
I DON'T SEE ANY QUESTIONS FROM
OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS AT THIS
TIME.
I WOULD LIKE AN UPDATE,
POTENTIALLY, IF SOMEONE IS ON
THE PANEL TO PREPARE TO ANSWER
A QUESTION ALONG THESE LINES.
AS WE COME OUT OF COVID HOW WAS
THE AQUARIUM ADJUSTING TO A
RETURN OF TOURISTS TO THE
WATERFRONT, A RETURN OF ACTIVITY
, THE ABILITY TO GO BACK TO
INDOOR SPACES LIKE THE AQUARIUM?
HOW IS THAT RECOVERY COMING
ALONG?
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE HURDLES
YOU ARE FACING?
>> THANKS.
I WILL TAKE A CRACK AT THAT.
AS YOU MAY REMEMBER THE
AQUARIUM WAS CLOSED FOR 222 DAYS
DURING THE PANDEMIC.
TWO DIFFERENT PERIODS.
WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE
ASSISTANCE FROM FEDERAL AND
CITY SOURCES AND COUNTY
SOURCES.
STATE SOURCES.
TO HELP US TO GET THROUGH AND
SURVIVE THAT PERIOD.
WHAT WE HAVE NOT FOUND, AS YOU
SEE, AS YOU WALK ALONG THE
WATERFRONT, OR LOOKED DOWN FROM
THE UPPER HILLS OF THE CITY.
THE WATERFRONT IS BURSTING WITH
HUMAN BEINGS. LOTS OF FAMILIES.
THERE IS DEFINITELY A PENT-UP
DEMAND TO BE OUT WITH YOUR
FAMILY.
A DEFINITE DEMAND TO ENJOY THE
WATERFRONT.
PEOPLE ARE GETTING A BITE TO
EAT, GOING TO GAMES. WITHIN THE
AQUARIUM ITSELF OUR ATTENDANCE
IS NOW BACK AT THE LEVEL THAT
IT WAS PRE-COVID.
PEOPLE ARE THERE.
THEY ARE IN A VARIETY OF
PROTECTIVE GEAR OR NONE.
THE ONE THING THAT HAS BEEN
SLOWER TO COME BACK HAS BEEN
THE ORGANIZED CLASSROOM GROUPS,
WHICH I THINK A LOT OF THE
SCHOOL DISTRICT'S HAVE BEEN
CAUTIOUS ABOUT. BRINGING THOSE
SCHOOL GROUPS BACK ON FIELD
TRIPS.
THAT'S STARTING TO CHANGE.
NEXT YEAR WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD
TO, DEPENDING ON HOW THINGS
HAVE DEVELOPED BY THEN, WE ARE
LOOKING FORWARD TO A RETURN OF
SCHOOL GROUPS THEN.
WE HAVE A SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM
THAT IS BACK AND ALSO SOLD OUT.
IT'S OPERATING AT 75% CAPACITY.
IT IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE TIMES
OF THE YEAR.
TO GO THROUGH THE AQUARIUM AND
SEE ALL OF THESE YOUNG KIDS IN
THEIR SUMMER CAMP T-SHIRTS
LOVING THEIR EXPERIENCE AT THE
SEATTLE AQUARIUM.
>> A COUPLE OF THINGS TO ADD TO
THAT.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DID
IN RESPONSE TO BEING ABLE TO
MANAGE HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE
MOVING THROUGH OUR SPACES, NOW
YOU CAN GO ONLINE AND PURCHASE
YOUR TICKET IN ADVANCE AND
CHOOSE A TIME THAT WORKS FOR
YOU.
THAT HAS WORKED DOUBLY WELL.
BOTH FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE
BUT ALSO IT SPREADS OUT OUR
VISITORS SO IT IS A MORE
ENJOYABLE EXPENSE IN THE
AQUARIUM.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS A
POSITIVE OUTCOME.
SPEAKING TO OUR REGION TO
SCHOOLS, WE DIDN'T CLOSE ALL OF
OUR PROGRAMS.
WE KEPT OUR CONSERVATION
PROGRAMS ACTIVE.
THAT INCLUDED OUR SCHOOL
PROGRAMS.
BUT IT MEANT YOU PIVOTED
VIRTUALLY.
NOW THAT WE ARE SORT OF ON THE
OTHER SIDE WE ARE DOING BOTH.
WE ARE DOING VIRTUAL
PROGRAMMING WITH SCHOOLS,
VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING WITH
COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND
STARTING TO DO ON-SITE
PROGRAMMING AGAIN.
FROM AN ACCESS PERSPECTIVE THAT
IS A WAY FOR US TO REACH INTO
THE COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS AND
REACH PARTNERS WE WOULD NOT
OTHERWISE BE ABLE TO REACH.
THE WAY FORWARD FOR US IN THE
PROGRAM AREA IS LIKELY HYBRID.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE OUR FIRST
HYBRID IN PERSON VIRTUAL EVENT
TOMORROW NIGHT. A LIGHTNING
TALKS EVENT.
WE USED TO HAVE ALL THE TIME
BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.
IT IS OUR FIRST VIRTUAL HYBRID
IN PERSON EVENT FOR THE PUBLIC.
>> WITH THE DIFFERENT SCHOOL
GROUPS, YOU SAID 200 SCHOOL
DISTRICTS THAT THE AQUARIUM HAS
HAD A RELATIONSHIP WITH.
WHAT IS THE FURTHEST SCHOOL
DISTRICT?
HOW FAR AWAY?
>> GOLDEN DALE IS QUITE A WAYS
AWAY.
I KNOW THAT WE HAVE HAD SCHOOL
DSTRICTS IN THE SPOKANE AREA.
AND FROM ALL OF THE CORNERS OF
THE STATE.
>> GREAT.
DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD
TO THAT?
>> I'M PICTURING OUR MAP THAT I
HAVE ACTUALLY STARS ALL THE
SCHOOLS WE HAVE WORKED WITH.
THERE ARE STARS ALL OVER THE
STATE.
AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, ESPECIALLY
BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, THERE IS A
LARGER CONCENTRATION WITHIN A
COUPLE OF OUR DRIVE FOR ON-SITE
PROGRAMMING.
BUT WE ALSO HAVE ALWAYS HAD A
PROGRAM WHERE WE GO TO SCHOOLS
AND GO TO THE COMMUNITIES TO
MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE.
THAT IS HOW WE HAVE REACHED
COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS IN
OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE AS
WELL.
>> GREAT.
PIVOTING BACK TO THE OCEAN
PAVILION, WHICH IS JUST GOING
TO BE SUCH AN EXCITING
CENTERPIECE OF WHAT WE ARE
DOING ON THE SEATTLE WATERFRONT.
I KNOW THAT'S RING HAS BEEN THE
TIMELINE.
HAS THAT BEEN IMPACTED BY THE
CONCRETE STRIKE OR ANY OTHER
KIND OF DELAY THAT WE HAVE
EXPERIENCED DURING THE COVID
ERA?
DO WE ANTICIPATE THAT TO BE A
FAIRLY SET TARGET?
WHAT ARE THE EXTERNAL FACTORS
THAT COULD AFFECT IT?
>> WHEN THE CONCRETE STRIKE WAS
HAPPENING WE WERE IN A PHASE OF
DOING WORK IN THE GROUND WITH
STABILIZING THE SOIL AND
GETTING THE FOUNDATION IN THERE.
WE DIDN'T REALLY HAVE AN IMPACT
WHEN THE CONCRETE STARTED
FLOWING AT THE TIME WE NEEDED
IT AGAIN.
IT DIDN'T DISRUPT OUR SCHEDULE.
IT HAS DELAYED SOME OF THE
SCHEDULE WITH THE SWITCHING OF
THE ROAD.
BUT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE
VERY FLEXIBLE AND NIMBLE IN
KEEPING THE PROJECT GOING.
WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING
A SMALL PORTION TO HELP, SO
WHEN WE ARE GOING VERTICAL IN
THE BUILDING, WHICH YOU SAW
WITH ALL THOSE FORMS, WE HAVE A
WAY TO PROTECT CARS THAT ARE
GOING THROUGH THAT AREA AND
WORKERS THAT ARE WORKING ON THE
PROJECT.
ALL OF THOSE THINGS HAVE
ALLOWED US TO KEEP GOING.
CERTAINLY FUNDING AND
FUNDRAISING IS A PORTION THAT
KEEPS THE PROJECT MOVING ALONG
AS WELL.
WITH ALL OF THAT IN PLACE AND
PLANNED WE FEEL LIKE WE WILL BE
ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THAT BY THE
2024 DATE.
WE ARE ON SCHEDULE AT THIS
POINT.
>> GREAT.
COUNSEL COLLEAGUES, ANY
QUESTIONS FOR OUR PANEL?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT JUAREZ?
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
I WANT TO THINK BOB, MY
FRIEND, AND SUSAN, ERIN, AND
ROBIN FROM SUQUAMISH.
AND ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE
COUNSELOR WORKED ON THIS FOR
OVER A DECADE.
THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY PEOPLE
AND HANDS ON THIS AND SO MUCH
WORK.
FRIENDS OF THE WATERFRONT, THE
LID, EVERYTHING.
I ALWAYS MAKE FUN OF THE TWO .
BOB DAVIDSON AND BOB DON AGAIN.
FRIENDS OF THE WATERFRONT.
OF COURSE THATCHER, MAGGIE,
MARSHALL AND ALL OF THE FOLKS
THAT WERE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF
RAISING MONEY.
A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO THE
SUQUAMISH NATION AND ROBIN AND
THE CHAIRMAN WHO HAVE
INSTITUTED IN BEING OPEN TO
THIS WHOLE COMANAGEMENT
APPROACH WITH TRAVEL
GOVERNMENTS ON THE WATERFRONT.
RINGING IN LOCAL TRIBAL
LEADERSHIP.
NOT ONLY FOR THE STRUCTURE BUT
ALSO FOR BEING HONEST AND
AUTHENTIC ABOUT THE CITY OF
SEATTLE'S HISTORY.
WHEN PEOPLE COME HERE, AND
TOURISTS COME HERE, THEY SEE
THE REAL SEATTLE AND THE
ORIGINAL STEWARDS OF THE LAND.
WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS 10
YEARS AGO.
I NEVER THOUGHT WE WOULD GET
THIS FAR.
BEING ON COUNSEL AND HAVING THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE AND
WORKING WITH THESE GREAT GROUPS
THAT WANTED THIS TO HAPPEN.
ROBIN, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING
UP THE CANOE JOURNEYS AND ALL
OF THAT STUFF.
THE CANOE JERSEY STOPS DOWN AT
THE PORT EVERY SUMMER.
NOT THE POOR, THE WATERFRONT.
BOB DAVIDSON HAS ALWAYS BEEN
SUCH A GOOD STEWARD AND GOOD
PARTNER I WANT TO THANK HIM FOR
THAT.
WE DIDN'T ALWAYS AGREE ON
EVERYTHING BUT WE AGREED ON
ENOUGH.
-- THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT YOU
POSTED THOSE PICTURES OF YOUR
DAUGHTERS AGAIN.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
AND THANK YOU FOR LIFTING UP
THAT WORK FROM -- IT IS A GREAT
HONOR TO HAVE A CONSTITUENT TO
CONSOLE ON THESE PROJECTS THAT
IMPACT THE WATERFRONT NOW THAT
SHE IS BACK IN TOWN FROM HER
TIME AT HARVARD.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS
FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS?
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA?
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH . I JUST
WANTED TO THANK THE PANEL AS
WELL FOR THE PRESENTATION AND
FOR ALL THAT YOU DID TO CREATE
A SAFE PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO GO
DURING THE PANDEMIC.
THE ONGOING PANDEMIC.
I KNOW THAT MY FAMILY HAD A
CHANCE TO VISIT DURING THE
PANDEMIC ON ONE OF THE SEMI-
RAINY DAYS.
IT WAS A GREAT ESCAPE FROM THE
ROUTINE OF BEING SO ISOLATED,
HAVING THE CHANCE TO BE IN A
PLACE THAT WAS REALLY ADHERING
TO COVID PROTOCOLS AND MAKING
SURE THAT THE PATRONS WERE
MASKED.
IT WAS HELPFUL TO KNOW THAT YOU
ARE SAFE AND ENGAGE IN
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR
KIDS AND ADULTS.
I WANT TO THANK THE AQUARIUM
FOR ALL THEY HAVE DONE.
THESE WERE REALLY TOUGH TIMES
AND THEY CONTINUE TO PROVIDE
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.
THANKS FOR TREATING IS ALSO
WELL WHEN WE COME BY.
THANKS FOR ALL YOU DID DURING
THIS PANDEMIC TO CREATE
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO GET
OUT IN A SAFE WAY.
IT WAS GREATLY APPRECIATED.
>> EXCELLENT.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM
COMMITTEE MEMBERS?
OKAY.
I'M SEEING NONE.
THIS WAS A REALLY GREAT
DISCUSSION.
I DO JUST WANT TO POINT OUT
THAT THE COUNCIL WILL HAVE SOME
ADDITIONAL LEGISLATION BEFORE IT
, RELATED TO THE AQUARIUM. WE
DETERMINED IT WOULD BE BETTER
SUITED IN THE FINANCE AND
HOUSING COMMITTEE.
WE DID FORESHADOW THAT
LEGISLATION COMING IN THIS
MORNING'S FINANCE AND HOUSING
COMMITTEE WITH MOSQUEDA GIVING
AN OVERVIEW OF THE COMMITTEE
MEETING.
CAN YOU REMIND ME, COUNCIL
MEMBER MOSQUEDA, HOW THE
LEGISLATION IS GOING TO BE
TAKEN UP?
IS IT IN TWO WEEKS WHEN WE HAVE
OUR FIRST MEETING?
>> WE ARE GOING TO HAVE 3 TO 5
PIECES OF LEGISLATION IN FRONT
OF US AT THE AUGUST 11th
MEETING.
THIS IS A SPECIAL TIME BECAUSE
OUR AUGUST 3rd MEETING IS NOT
WORKING OUT.
WE ARE GOING TO HAVE AUGUST
11th AT 9:30.
THERE WILL BE 3 TO 5 PIECES OF
LEGISLATION ON THE DOCKET FOR
THAT DAY.
THIS IS ALL IN THE WAKE OF THE
MEETING THIS MORNING, WHICH HAS
SUGGESTED TO THE COUNCIL TO
MOVE FORWARD WITH SOME FUN
OPPORTUNITIES.
MORE TO COME ON THAT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP
ON THIS. AND TO CENTRAL STAFF.
>> THANK YOU.
HOPEFULLY THIS BRIEFING TODAY
WAS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO
FORESHADOW SOME OF THOSE
DISCUSSIONS THAT WE WILL BE
HAVING EARLY NEXT MONTH.
I DO NOT HAVE ANY OTHER AGENDA
ITEM THAT HAS BEEN QUEUED UP
FOR COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION.
ARE THERE ANY CLOSING COMMENTS
THAT THE PANEL WANTS TO MAKE
BEFORE WE MOVED TO ADJOURN THE
MEETING TODAY?
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
THE ONLY THING I WOULD SAY IN
CLOSING, AND BACK TO YOUR
COMMENTS ABOUT SALLY AND OTHERS
WHO HAVE BEEN SO HELPFUL IN
ENCOURAGING US AT THE AQUARIUM
TO MAKE THE AQUARIUM ALL THAT
IT COULD BECOME.
AND INTO THE EXCITING FUTURE
AND THE FUTURE OF THE
WATERFRONT.
I FEEL THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST
EXAMPLES I HAVE SEEN OF A
PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP THAT
IS GENUINE AND IMPACTFUL AND
MAKES A DIFFERENCE.
>> BOB, I WOULDN'T GO AS FAR TO
SAY -- WE HAVEN'T SEEN A LOT OF
THAT IN THE CITY.
UNLESS WE ARE BEING SUED OR WE
ARE SUING THEM.
ALL OF THESE TRIBES COME
FORWARD IN THE ART THAT WAS PUT
DOWN.
I HAD NOT SEEN THAT EARLIER IN
MY LIFETIME.
EVERYTHING HAS BEEN A LAWSUIT
OR COMANAGEMENT OR FIGHTING
ABOUT IT.
COMING TOGETHER FOR THE
FUNDRAISING AND HAVING THE
CHAIRMAN INVOLVED AS WELL, IT
DOESN'T GET BETTER THAN THAT.
THANK YOU.
>> YOU ARE SO RIGHT.
>> WITH THAT, COUNCIL
COLLEAGUES, WE WILL CLOSE OUT
AGENDA ITEM 1. ARE THERE ANY
LAST COMMENTS FOR THE GOOD OF
THE ORDER?
I'M SEEING NONE.
IT IS 2:58 P.M.
HEARING NO OTHER BUSINESS
BEFORE THE COMMITTEE WE ARE
ADJOURNED.
>> THANK YOU.