Seattle Center site bids: Native center, KEXP, grass — even Fun Forest

The bids are in for the Seattle Center Fun Forest site, including a new proposal for a Native American cultural center.

Two other bids propose more open space at the foot of the Space Needle, while another suggests that Seattle needs a museum about Northwest mysteries and legends. The nonprofit KEXP radio station wants to build a new studio there, while Dale Chihuly is pitching his glass exhibit.

In addition, the Fun Forest company has proposed to keep operating its amusement park on the site, and the Seattle Center Foundation wants to redevelop the retail kiosk on the site.

Another proposal is simply to "give better attention to integration of park, landscape and architecture."

Public bids on the site south of the monorail station were due Friday.

The Seattle Center sought the bids after criticism over its handling of the first Chihuly-exhibit proposal earlier this spring. The Center has not released the full content of all nine bids, but it identified them by name and description Monday morning.

Now a selection committee will decide which proposal would be the best fit for the Center. Their selection will go to Seattle Center Director Robert Nellams, who will make a recommendation to the mayor and the City Council.

The group proposing a Native cultural center wrote in a news release that its proposal would fix a "glaring oversight" in Seattle — the lack of a prominent place to honor Indian culture.

Roger Fernandes, a Native American artist and storyteller, notes that the Seattle Center site was once an Indian gathering place and duck-hunting ground. The group proposes a free, indoor-outdoor exhibit space with exhibits and walking tours.

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