Community meeting will discuss Lee Center demolition to make way for Seattle University Museum of Art

Seattle University is set to hold a community meeting addressing the contentious plan to demolish the Lee Center for the Arts, a decision that has sparked significant public interest and concern. The proposed new art museum, funded by a major donation, has led students and faculty to voice their apprehensions about losing a critical space for both the university and the surrounding community. The Lee Center is regarded as an architectural gem and a valuable asset in the Capitol Hill Arts District, providing essential performance space. The Implementation Advisory Committee has stepped in, emphasizing the importance of addressing community concerns, which had previously gone largely unchallenged. Chair John Feit noted that this project represents a shift in the committee's focus from design details to the implications of building siting.

The potential loss of the Lee Center raises questions about the stewardship and environmental ethos of the university. Advocates argue for a constructive adaptive use of the facility, suggesting it could complement the new museum and provide shared resources. The upcoming meeting aims to facilitate a dialogue that balances institutional goals with community needs.