The planning activities for the Seattle University Museum of Art (SUMA) have been a significant focus this summer. Architects and planners have been busy completing early paperwork for land use and construction permits related to the museum’s development.
On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, the Seattle University Hill Implementation Advisory Committee (IAC) will meet to discuss the project. This committee, required by the city for oversight of major institutional projects, will convene from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Seattle University’s Advancement and Alumni Building in the Stuart T. Rolfe Community Room. There will also be an option to attend virtually via Webex.
During the meeting, participants will explore the permit timeline for the museum, discuss the regulations surrounding the amendment of the school’s Major Institution Master Plan, and address the IAC’s role in the process. Following a 35-minute session focused on these topics, a 70-minute Q&A, public comment period, and committee deliberation will take place.
Concerns regarding the project have been voiced by members of the Seattle University community, particularly in response to the planned demolition of the Lee Center for the Arts to make space for the new museum. In April, CHS reported that Seattle U artists and local theater community members expressed their apprehensions about this decision.
The IAC is composed of city-appointed citizen volunteers who oversee the development processes of significant institutions such as universities, colleges, and hospitals. While these institutions enjoy special zoning privileges, they must still comply with agreements established with their neighboring communities. The degree of influence this advisory committee has over a multimillion-dollar project like SUMA is yet to be determined.
In early 2024, Seattle University received a major donation from property developer Dick Hedreen, which included his family’s extensive collection of 200 pieces, estimated to be worth $300 million. This generous gift is set to enrich the new SUMA project. However, the announcement that the Lee Center would be demolished in the process sparked backlash among students and faculty, who argued that the establishment served as a vital space for both students and community members. They further contended that the proposed replacements were insufficient.
The new art museum will complement the ongoing expansion of Seattle University along 12th Avenue. The recent opening of the Jim and Janet Sinegal Center for Science and Innovation in 2021, a five-story, 111,000-square-foot facility designed to function as the university’s main entrance, marked a significant milestone in the school’s growth.
By 2028, the university aims to conclude a comprehensive 10-year development plan that will extend its campus boundaries by 2.4 acres, adding 2 million square feet of space. The design for the new museum is being led by Tom Kundig of Olson Kundig, with Sellen Construction appointed as the contractor. Construction is expected to span two years, with a grand opening planned for the autumn of 2028.
Recently, permit paperwork has been submitted for the proposed museum, which is described as “a new art museum on the Seattle University campus, encompassing the art collection gifted by Dick Hedreen, rotating exhibitions, and additional facilities such as a café and academic spaces.” The museum will feature four levels covering over 44,000 square feet.
Alongside this development, a permit application for the demolition of the existing Lee Center and the associated parking lot has also been filed. Reports indicate that the city has requested additional information regarding this demolition permit.
In the meantime, Seattle University appears to be preparing for another art-related addition to its campus. A construction permit has been filed for the installation of a new sculpture titled ‘Tulip’ on The Green at the Piggott Building, as detailed in the plans.
This initiative reflects a broader trend in Seattle, where not all of Hedreen’s artistic contributions have been well received. For example, the Tom Otterness sculpture ‘The Miser,’ previously located outside Hedreen’s Grand Hyatt Hotel, was once referred to as the “worst statue in Seattle” before its removal in 2015.
As this planning process ensues, inquiries are being made with university officials to confirm whether the new ‘Tulip on the Green’ sculpture is one that has previously faced criticism and was removed from its original location.
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image source from：capitolhillseattle
