Chihuly exhibit supporters on the offensive in PR battle

Representatives of the Space Needle went two hours early to a public meeting about their proposed Dale Chihuly exhibit at Seattle Center to make sure their supporters would be first on the list to speak.

They filled in the first 60-or-so speaking slots. It was clear from the handwriting that some people had signed up multiple people, so Bill Block, chair of the Seattle Center Advisory Commission, who was running the meeting, started calling names from the middle of the list to try to make the meeting more fair.

Packing that Tuesday meeting with supporters is one of the ways the Wright family, which wants to build the privately financed $15 million glass exhibit space north of the Space Needle, is trying to sway public support for its project. The family also has enlisted Roger Nyhus' public-relations firm, set up a Facebook page that has garnered more than 1,500 fans and printed "Chihuly at the Needle" stickers.

"We're just doing everything we can, because we know there are a lot of people out there who do support this project," said Dan McConnell, a spokesman for the Space Needle.

As first reported by The Stranger, a pro-exhibit Facebook page offered $25 gift certificates to the Space Needle restaurant to people who became "fans" of the project. That was a mistake, McConnell said; the company took down the offer because of concerns "there might be a misconception."

The proposal faced opposition from the public and some members of the City Council when unveiled last month. Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, chair of the council's Parks and Seattle Center Committee, questioned why there wasn't a public-proposal process for the piece of parkland.

The area is identified as open space in the Center's master plan. Center officials have been talking to the Wrights for over a year about an exhibit there.

Last week, battling bad press, the Wrights issued a news release saying they supported an open bidding process. Seattle Center will send out a request for bids as soon as mid-April, spokeswoman Deborah Daoust said.

In the meantime, McConnell said, Nyhus will keep working on the project.

"We're looking for ways to get exposure for this," he said.

The Space Needle Web site refers to the exhibit as if it is a done deal, saying: "Construction is expected to begin near the end of this year, and the plan is for completion by mid-2011."

The Wrights are seeking a five-year lease on the property with an option for three five-year extensions. That wouldn't require a council vote, according to city code, but Center officials said they'd seek one anyway.

Councilmember Jean Godden attended Tuesday's meeting and said it was "counterintuitive" to see so many people wearing pro-Chihuly stickers. Her office received dozens of calls about the exhibit, she said, and only one caller was in favor of the project.

"The first people who stood up to speak were almost all wearing those "Chihuly at the Needle" buttons," she said. "It does seem a little bit slanted."

Block said it didn't seem to break any rules to sign up more than one person. Daoust said meeting organizers tried to enforce a rule that you couldn't sign up more than five speakers.

"The people who supported the Chihuly project were very well-organized," said Daoust.

About 20 people testified Thursday night at a City Council committee meeting at Seattle Center. Many favored the exhibit, saying it would create a new attraction and chance for people to learn about glass art.

Emily Heffter: 206-464-8246 or eheffter@seattletimes.com