Benaroya Hall

Seeing What’s Possible

A massive, world-class site could indeed still be assembled in the heart of a mature downtown Seattle for a world-class cultural institution. 

Challenge

The Seattle Symphony had a very ambitious goal: raise funds and community enthusiasm for a new symphony hall in downtown Seattle. The primary challenge was determining where to build and how to accommodate established businesses on the targeted site, given the massive scale of the proposed facility. The City and the symphony leadership turned to Kinzer to help define the process and to find a world-class solution.

Solution

Was there a downtown site “good enough” for a new civic complex? Was it on the proposed underground bus tunnel route? Was it feasible to move existing businesses from the site? Would the public support or protest the use of eminent domain? With a plan in place to address all issues, Kinzer led the site selection and property assemblage process, as well as the eventual relocation of all on-site businesses. The result: the acquisition of a “super block” that is now home to the 3,000-seat Benaroya Hall and the Garden of Remembrance.

Applied Expertise

• Site selection & assemblage
• Negotiation strategy
• Complex public, private & non-profit negotiations
• Public affairs strategy
• Eminent domain services
• Relocation assistance