Template revised April 12, 2018.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
10b
BRIEFING ITEM
Date of Meeting
May 28, 2024
DATE: April 26, 2024
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Kyra Lise, Director Real Estate Development
Kelly Purnell, Capital Project Manager, Waterfront Project Management
SUBJECT: Briefing to provide Commission with an update on the Fisherman’s Terminal
Maritime Innovation Center (CIP #C801084) and Site Improvements
(CIP #C801211) project interpretive signage and public art programs.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Fisherman’s Terminal Maritime Innovation Center (MInC) and Site Improvements project is
now in the execution phase of the project life cycle. The Port’s general contractor, Forma
Construction began preliminary construction activities at the site in March in preparation for the
start of the major renovation work. During this time, the project team has continued to develop
the interpretive signage and public art programs for the project.
The vision for Fishermen’s Terminal is to improve a community landmark that supports the
maritime industry by welcoming the public to the parts of the terminal that enhance the
understanding and support of the industrial working waterfront. The project general site
improvements focus on the industrial needs of the North Pacific Fishing Fleet, while the
interpretive signage and public art programs exemplify the rich tribal and commercial fishing
history and current uses of this century-old community asset. The program creates engaging and
educational storytelling for the public that describes the legacy of Fishermen’s Terminal and the
importance of the maritime industry in the region and will link the remodeled Maritime
Innovation Center to the central commercial core of Fishermen’s Terminal primarily comprised
of the Fishermen’s Center Building (C-15 Building), and the parking areas in between them.
Interpretive Signage
Where we started:
In 2016 the Port commissioned the Cascade Study, a comprehensive evaluation of the visitor
experience. The study was a component of the larger Fishermen’s Terminal Strategic Plan.
The study inventoried the existing wayfinding and interpretive signage, provided constructive
critique, and provided recommendations for improvement to the overall signage program to
better:
COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. 10b Page 2 of 5
Meeting Date: May 28, 2024
Template revised September 22, 2016.
• Promote visitor and worker safety,
• Engage visitors, and
• Incorporate maritime themes.
Early in the design phase of the MInC and Site Improvements project, Headwater People
Consulting was hired to provide comprehensive outreach for the interpretive signage program in
conjunction with the signage designer, Mayer/Reed. That outreach was completed in late 2022.
In late 2022 a gap for content development was identified in the signage development process.
To eliminate this gap, in early 2023 historian, Sharon Boswell, of Statistical Research Incorporated
(SRI) was hired to provide historical research on the site and to develop the signage content,
incorporating Headwater People’s outreach results, and coordinating with Mayer/Reed on
signage content layout on the sign panels.
In Q2 of 2023 the Port project team assembled a diverse review panel consisting of fishermen,
tenants, tribal representatives, and Port subject matter experts to provide input and reviews of
the content to best facilitate a robust interpretive signage program that accurately represents
the many stakeholders at Fisherman’s Terminal.
Where we are:
Currently, the process is nearing the end of the development of the signage.
• The general design layout has been established.
• The content is complete.
o Most of the content was provided by our historian.
o Content for the sign titled “The Blue Economy” was developed by Port partner,
Washington Maritime Blue.
o Headwater People Consultants representative, Owen Oliver, provided edits, some
photographs, and additional online content for the signs titled, “Salmon is Us”,
“Fishing Rights”, “A Fishing Way of Life”, “The North Pacific Fisheries”, and “Fleet
Past and Present”.
• Additional content development is underway and will be provided online via QR codes on
each sign is underway.
• Final selection of photographs is underway. We have sourced photographs from our tribal
partners, fisherman, historical archives around Seattle, and our own Port archives.
Where we’re going:
The interpretive signage is nearing completion with anticipated design completion by the end of
May.
• The final draft of the content and arrangement on the signs is scheduled to be completed
in early May.
• The package of edits will be sent to designer, Mayer/Reed, for final design updates.
• The review panel will be reconvened for a final design review.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. 10b Page 3 of 5
Meeting Date: May 28, 2024
Template revised September 22, 2016.
• The design will be finalized, and the signage will be prepared for fabrication through our
general construction contract.
• The signage will be installed by general contractor, Forma Construction, by Q3 2025.
Public Art
Fisherman’s Terminal is the heart of Seattle’s fishing industry. To honor the rich history of the
fishing industry and tribal culture past and present, a robust public art program will be installed
at the site. Three artists have been selected to provide installations at Fisherman’s Terminal:
• Ty Juvinel, Coast Salish carver, cultural preservationist, and accomplished artist known for
many public works installations across the region.
o Ty will be creating a laser-cut aluminum sculpture called “Beach Seining”.
o This sculpture will be installed on the external southwest wall of the Maritime
Innovation Center and will be visible to the public as they walk along the MInC.
• Shogo Ota, muralist and graphic designer, well known across Seattle for his vibrant
murals, collaborative art pieces, posters, and logos.
o Shogo will be painting a 3,000 square foot mural featuring five species of salmon
swimming north towards Salmon Bay.
o This mural will be painted on the east wall of Net Shed 3 which faces the west side
of the Maritime Innovation Center. This mural will be visible from the Ballard
Bridge.
• Mary Coss, multidisciplinary artist known across the region for her sculptures utilizing
many mediums such as stone, metals, neon, and unique applications of light.
o Mary will be creating three bronze sculptures of woven fish netting backlit by neon
lighting.
o These sculptures will be installed in three void spaces of the C-15 building: two
will be installed on the north side of the C-15 building and will be visible from the
Ballard Bridge; one will be installed on the south side of the C-15 building and will
be visible from Emerson Street.
Each of these artists are experts of their crafts and bring their unique perspectives and vision of
fishing as a way of life. Their art will be highlights of the Fisherman’s Terminal experience. They
are meant to interweave with the interpretive signage program and connect the core of
Fisherman’s Terminal with the redeveloped Maritime Innovation Center.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS BRIEFING
(1) Presentation slides
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
• November 21, 2023 – Commission authorized additional construction funding in the
amount of $4,017,495 to replenish project contingencies for a total project authorization
of $36,608,000.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. 10b Page 4 of 5
Meeting Date: May 28, 2024
Template revised September 22, 2016.
• August 8, 2023 – Commission authorized $27,415,000 construction funding for the
construction of the Maritime Innovation Center (C801084, U00414) and Public Site
Improvements (C801211, U00320).
• November 11, 2022 – Commission authorized an additional $500,000 in design funding
for the proposed Fishermen’s Terminal Maritime Innovation Center (C801084, U00414)
to complete design and permitting due to a design error that required correction.
• March 08, 2022 –Commission authorization for the Executive Director to invest at least
$5,718,840 into the Maritime Innovation Center (MInC) to provide required matching
funds for a United States Economic Development Administration grant in the amount of
$5,000,000.
• May 11, 2021 – Commission authorized an additional $1,000,000 in design funding for the
proposed Fishermen’s Terminal Maritime Innovation Center (C801084, U00414) to
complete design and permitting; and (2) to execute an amendment to the existing service
agreement with Miller Hull Partnership, LLP for Fishermen’s Terminal Phased Design
Services in the amount of $2,500,000; for a new Not-To-Exceed (NTE) value of $6,000,000.
• March 23, 2021 – Commission authorized Design and Permitting completion of the FT Site
Improvements (U00320) Under the New CIP C801211, utilizing $1,525,505 in formerly
authorized funding for the Gateway Building.
• December 8, 2020 – Commission authorized Construction of the MInC as the condition
for executing the Interagency Agreement with Washington State Department of
Commerce to allow the acceptance of a $5M grant towards its construction.
• May 14, 2019 – Commission authorized $1,850,000 design funding and an amendment to
the Fishermen’s Terminal Phased Design Services contract, with Miller Hull Partnership
LLP, for $1,000,000 for final planning, design, and permitting for the Maritime Innovation
Center.
• January 22, 2019 – The Commission authorized an additional $1,800,000 in design funding
for FT Gateway Building improvements, and the execution of an amendment to the
existing Architectural/Engineering Services contract for FT Redevelopment for $1,000,000
to complete the final planning, design and permitting of the Gateway Building and FT Site
Improvements.
• January 8, 2019 – Commission received a briefing regarding Maritime Blue Plan and the
Maritime Innovation Center.
• September 26, 2017 – The Commission authorized $1,325,000 construction funding for
the demolition of the existing bank building and Net Sheds 7 and 8. This work has
not yet been advertised for bids, per direction by the Commission, pending finalization of
a Gateway Building tenant lease agreement.
• December 13, 2016 –Commission authorized an initial $3,000,000 for the Fishermen’s
Terminal Redevelopment program planning and design; the total preliminarily estimated
design cost was $7,000,000.
• May 17, 2016 - Commission received a briefing on the planning strategies comprising the
Fishermen’s Terminal Long-Term Strategic Plan.
• October 27, 2015 - Commission received a briefing about the progress of the stakeholder
outreach program for the Fishermen’s Terminal Long-Term Strategic Plan.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. 10b Page 5 of 5
Meeting Date: May 28, 2024
Template revised September 22, 2016.
• August 11, 2015 - Commission received a briefing on the proposed scope and goals in
advance of the launch of the planning process.
