Redevelopment (2007-present)
On December 7, 2007, Mayor Greg Nickels announced a proposal to convert the arena into use by the Seattle Opera. The building will contain administrative offices, rehearsal spaces and workshops for the company. Sharing a common wall with McCaw Hall, the arena would allow sets to be built within the workshop, then transported directly to the stage. This would be the first company in the world to have such an amenity. The revitalized building is planned to realize the developing goals of the Century 21 Committee, which will make recommendations to the City about enhancing future growth of Seattle Center. The arena will contain large amounts of windows to connect visitors visually with the many crafts which are brought together in a professional opera company. The proposal will be forwarded to the City Counsel for review.
With the proposed conversion to a facility for Seattle Opera, the revitalization of Mercer Arena will require much planning and investment. To begin, Mercer Arena will require millions of dollars in repairs, as well as an estimated $20 million dollars to modernize seismic protection and general life safety. Additional investment will be required to convert the spaces to their new functions. Prior to the most recent bid for reuse, several other opportunities were reviewed by the City. Live Nation (formerly Clear Channel Entertainment) has sought to lease the building for concerts, up to 80 events per year, but would not pay for the necessary repairs and ongoing maintenance. If passed by the Council, the converted arena would cease to be a performance venue.
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