For anyone who has visited Seattle Repertory Theatre recently, they can attest to the jumble of construction that confuses and obstructs their typical path to the entrance. Luckily for those confused patrons, the Theatre Commons project is on time with its construction.
The project should be mostly complete by Memorial Day weekend, said Seattle Center communications director Deborah Daoust. Though the project's caused temporary diversions, Daoust said the project's part of the Century 21 master plan to "green the campus."
"It will create an inviting north entry onto campus," Daoust said, "and create a suitable front yard for the two theaters there."
Once the project finishes, patrons will be able to access the Seattle Rep directly off of Mercer Street thanks to the addition of a canopied staircase. There will still be an open drive through for drop offs that also fulfills ADA compliance.
The Theatre Commons area will be planted with indigenous plants, and sustainability components were incorporated too, including three rain gardens to decrease runoff into the sewage system. The south side of the Commons will be terraced, and include seating-creating an outside performance space near the Rep and the Intiman Theatre.
"It was the last surface lot on Seattle Center campus and for two decades there has been an effort to actually take parking off of campus," Daoust said, "so this sort of fulfills that long-range vision to not have any surface camping on campus in favor of open green space and programming space."
The Theatre Commons will be dedicated to Peter Donnelly, who passed away recently. Donnelly started at the Intiman Theatre before becoming the executive direct of the Seattle Rep and raising community support to build the current Rep facilities, and finished his career at Seattle Center as the executive of artsFund.[[In-content Ad]]