October 21, 1963 a Report on the First Year's Operation of Seattle Center
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THE SEATTLE CENTER "The First Year" October 21, 1963 A report on the first year's operation of Seattle Center, following the 1962 Seattle World's Fair -- prepared by Century 21 Center, Inc., in cooperation with the City of Seattle, Pacific Science Center Foundation and other participants in the coordi nated Seattle Center program, SEATTLE CENTER When the Worldfs Fair was planned Seattle made a promise to itself that it would justify the Fair effort with a permanent Seattle Center* This summer"saw the beginning of the fulfillment of that promise. We already have our Opera House, our Playhouse and Exhibi tion Hall in full operation. The buildings have enabled us to invite conventions larger than Seattle ever was able to accom modate in the past. This winter we will enjoy a season of famous plays in the Playhouse with the distinguished professional acting company of the Repertory Theatre. By the spring of 1964 the Coliseum will be ready for the full-time use of sports and other recreational activities* One of the most valuable gifts left to Seattle by the Fair is the Pacific Science Center. This invaluable adjunct to our schools is also one of the highlights for adults visiting the Center, All of us who entertained out-of-town visitors this past summer — and that includes most Seattle residents —. were grate ful for the diversions and entertainment offered in our Center. In its beautiful park-like grounds we were proud to take visitors to the Pacific Science Center, to the many outstanding offerings at the Opera House and Playhouse, to the gay Food Circus and other attractions, Blanks to the untiring efforts of civic leaders who direct Century 21 Center, Incorporated, the non-profit corporation, private money has been made available and direction is being given to coordinate the activities within the Center. In the development of these attractions all Seattle has a stake# A successful Center will be a focal point in attracting conventions and tourists, in presenting cultural and entertain ment events. All the operations within the Center are necessary to its success# Seattle has made a good beginning. To develop the area to its rich potential will require the enthusiasm and support of all of us. Gordon S. Clinton, Mayor City of Seattle SEATTLE CENTER The Seattle City Council has been closely linked with development of the permanent Seattle Center, which we regard as a keystone of our community development. Through our Civic Center Coordinator, Councilman Braman, and through frequent involvement of the Council as a whole, we have guided the Seattle Center total plan along its first year of growth. We feel the City's investment has been a good one and that the public benefit already is significant. Yet this is only the beginning. As the Center continues to develop, its role in cultural and entertainment activities will be of incalculable benefit to our community and the region as a wholes Floyd C. Miller President Seattle City Council THE CITY OF SEATTLE MAYOR Hon* Gordon 8. Clinton CITY COUNCIL Floyd Cm Miller, President J# D* Braman, Civic Center Coordinator Paul J# Alexander Charles M. Carroll Mrs. Harlan H. Edwards A. Ludlow Kramer David Levine Wing Luke Clarence F. Massart M# B* Mitchell BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Roy W* Morse, Chairman City Engineer J. Ray Heath, Sr« Superintendent of Water John Mm Nelsont Vice Chairman Superintendent of Lighting Fred B# McCoy Superintendent of Buildings .SEATTLE /.'...CENTER Seattle Center- is intended as a place.in which . cultural, entertainment, educational and indoor., athletic activities• will be presented for all the community. We feel that- the first year# -as you will-note from. perusing the following reports, has been eminently successfulm Our Commission has worked closely with all those creating programs at Seattle Center and will continue to strive for a well-rounded series of activities for our citizens * We realize that the first year has been a formative one* Yet we feel it has set the tone for continued program development that will be a source of inspiration for all* Harold S*r Shefelman,- Chairmaft Seattle Center Advisory Commission SEATTLE CENTER ADVISORY COMMISSION Harold Shefelman, Chairman George H» Bovingdon Miss Muriel Mawer Hon, J, D* Braman Fred B. McCoy Marvin E* Burke Mrs* Hugh E* McCreery Mrs# H. H. Edwards Hon. Ray 01sen John Hauberg# Jr, Dr» J* Finlay Ramsey Robert Hill Dr. Dixy Lee Ray James Em Hussey Irv ing S.. Smi th Hon. David Levine Dr* R. Philip Smith Hon*. Clarence Massart SEATTLE CENTER The Seattle Center stands as dramatic testimony to the vigor of the people of the City and the State, and yet represents one of its sternest challenges? to continue the climb to greatness. Nowhere in this mangnificeht civic complex are these truths more evident than at the Pacific Science Center. Here, the Federal Government invested $10,000,000 to tell the story of science in the belief that our community could at tract millions from home and abroad to hear that story. After this was successfully accomplished, the Federal Government be lieved further that we could build this exhibit into one of the world's finest permanent science centers devoted to science education and to the better public understanding and apprecia tion of science. What a tribute to the people of our regionI And what a challenge. The non-profit Pacific Science Center Foundation was created to meet this challenge, with the help of Senator Magnuson and our congressional delegation, and opened for business the day after the World's Fair closed. Although significant financial problems remain, a difficult year of adjustment and development is behind us, The Pacific Science Center now is moving with quickening stride toward ful filling its vital role for an enlightened community. Our pro grams are reaching into schools, into scientific societies and into study groups of many kinds. The challenges that face the Pacific Science Center are being met with enthusiasm and confidence. Edward E. Carlson, President Pacific Science Center PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES Original Trustees Mr, Edward E. Carlson Mr, Joseph Drumheller Dr. Richard E. Fuller The Rev* A, A, Lemieux Dr. Joseph L. McCarthy Additional Members Dr* Allen V. Astin Mr, John H. Hauberg Mr* Wellwood Beall Dr. Clark Kerr Dr. Richard Bolt Dr. Roy Lieuallen Hon* J. D. Braman Hon. Warren G. Magnuson Mr. Winston D. Brown Mr. Ed Munro Dr. Louis Bruno Dr. Charles E. Odegaard Mr. Willis Camp Mrs Henry B. Owen Mr. Ernest W# Campbell Dr* Glenn T. Seaborg Dr. Thomas Carlile Dr. Frederick Seitz Dr. Leonard Carmichael Mr* Harold Shefelman Mr. Norton Clapp Dr. Athelstan Spilhaus Mr. Michael Dederer Dr. Julius A. Stratton Dr. C. Dorr Demaray Judge George Stuntz Mr. Victor Denny Dr. Donald R. Theophilus Dr. C. Clement French Dr. H. Bradford Washburn Mr. Joseph E. Gandy Dr. William Wood Mr. Caryl Haskins Dr. Dael Wolfle STAFF Dr. Dixy Lee Ray Director Mr. John Buckley Manager of Finance and Operations Mr. Richard Gibbs Design Coordinator Mr. Terrance McCarthy Superintendent of Guides Mr. Ronald Smallman Science Coordinator Mr. Robert M. Welsh Superintendent of Maintenance Mr. Bruce Wendorff Manager of Sound and Projection SEATTLE CENTER When the City of Seattle created a non-profit corporation to help the City mold a permanent civic center from the legacy of the World's Fair, it was, in effect, asking private enterprise to stand up beside city government in a monumental civic building project* And, as in creating its Fair, the community had no pre-charted course to follow. The City deemed a private corporation essential to the fullest involvement of business and risk capital at the Center. It determined that such a corporation would, in the fewest years, activate broad community participation while eventually creating revenues for the Seattle Center and the City. This has been a year of hope, of trial, of error, and yet of unquestioned success* Our corporation, working with the many other civic and private enter prises at the Center, has created a program of constant activity by the people of this region. On the pages that follow, we have described many of these programs as carried out by our corporation and by others during this year of creation. We are confident that the faith of our city govern ment, our business community through its underwriting, and our fellow citizens will be justified by the role of our corporation in helping to build the world's greatest cultural and entertainment center. Walter W. Straley President Century 21 Center, Inc. CENTURY 21 CENTER, INC. BOARD OF TRUSTEES Officers Walter W. Straley President D. E* Skinner First Vice President Ewen C. Dingwall Vice President-Executive Director Berch Pitts Secretary-Treasurer Frederick E. Baker Vice President, Underwriting George F. Kachlein, Jr. Vice President, Summer Program H. Dewayne PCr eager Vice President, Public Relations Gregg C. MacDonald Vice President William S. Street Vice President, Monorail William P. Woods Vice President, Concessions, Exhibits C. Bagley Wright Vice President, Performing Arts Board Members Mrs. A. Scott Bullitt Cornelius J. Byrne Edward E. Carlson Ralph M. Davis Michael Dederer Frank E. Jerome Lowell P. Mickelwait Andrew Price, Jr. John J. Sullivan Gerald A. Gorans . Chairman, Budget and Finance Committee Snyder J# King Shidler & King, Attorneys, Legal Counsel Robert J. Williams Executive Assistant to the President Touche, Ross, Bailey Certified Public Accountants, and Smart Auditors STAFF Donald 1. Foster Director, Center Activities