In the heart of Seattle, the Pacific Science Center (PacSci), a long-standing nonprofit institution founded 63 years ago, is grappling with significant financial challenges. Once a prominent symbol of innovation following the 1962 World’s Fair, the center is now in dire need of a major overhaul. With a deferred maintenance bill estimated to exceed $70 million, aging exhibits, and an attendance rate that has yet to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels, the future of this beloved Seattle landmark hangs in the balance.
Will Daugherty, the center’s CEO, acknowledges the difficult road ahead. “The institution’s future is not certain,” he admits. However, rather than resigning to these challenges, Daugherty and his team are forging ahead with ambitious plans to revitalize PacSci, beginning with a $19 million campaign aimed at transforming the Maker & Innovation Lab into the center’s flagship attraction.
One of the more striking proposals under consideration is the potential sale of some of PacSci’s high-value real estate holdings located near the Space Needle. These properties could be leveraged to generate the funds needed for vital upgrades and expansion projects. Additionally, the nonprofit has plans to renovate its iconic courtyard and ponds, which have long been neglected, and to dismantle fences that currently isolate the science center from the neighboring Seattle Center—an area that will draw large crowds during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
While PacSci is openly discussing its plans for the makerspace and courtyard, the details of the potential real estate deals remain confidential. Daugherty notes that as a mission-driven nonprofit with valuable property assets, the institution must constantly evaluate how to best utilize its holdings to enhance its impact and ensure its financial sustainability.
The organization has faced mounting financial strain in recent years. According to 2023 tax filings, PacSci generated $17.6 million in revenue but incurred expenses of $19.6 million, leaving the center with a deficit. While its assets total $42.7 million, PacSci is also burdened by $8.7 million in debt. To weather these challenges, the center is seeking additional funding from a variety of sources, including government grants, private donations, and potential asset sales.
Jason Barnwell, a Microsoft executive and PacSci board member, has been a staunch supporter of the institution’s efforts. “Our community has benefitted tremendously from what PacSci offers, and it deserves more support,” he asserts. “People should want to be a part of something so special.”
PacSci’s Maker & Innovation Lab, which occupies less than one floor of the center’s building, is central to the nonprofit’s future vision. The lab, which was initially a small, weekend-only space called “Tinker Tank,” has already evolved under Daugherty’s leadership. The expanded space now operates throughout the week, offering hands-on activities that engage visitors in creative, collaborative problem-solving.
The lab currently features tools such as 3D printers, a laser cutter, vinyl cutters, and sewing machines. PacSci aims to enhance this space further by adding advanced equipment, including woodworking tools, an upgraded laser cutter, stations for soldering and electronics, and resources for coding and robotics. The proposed 14,000-square-foot expansion will span three floors and is expected to become a central hub for STEM education, helping to nurture the next generation of innovators.
“This type of hands-on, real-world experimentation is key to keeping American innovation competitive on a global scale,” says Wei Gao, a PacSci board member and former technical advisor to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. He stresses that the focus on physical engineering and design skills is essential, particularly in the face of increasing emphasis on digital and AI technologies.
To fund this expansion, PacSci has raised $1 million through a King County grant and secured a $100,000 contribution from a private donor. Although the center is still far from its $20 million goal, Daugherty remains optimistic. “You don’t wait until you have all the money to take action,” he says. “You start with a minimum viable product and build from there.”
In addition to the makerspace expansion, PacSci is also in discussions with the Seattle Center about improving the physical connection between the two venues. This could involve removing fences and creating a seamless flow from the Seattle Center into PacSci, enhancing accessibility for visitors. The Seattle Center will play a central role in the 2026 World Cup festivities, and PacSci hopes to capitalize on the increased traffic in the area.
However, the center’s infrastructure also requires significant repair. The courtyard’s cobblestone pools have long been leaky, wasting millions of gallons of water each year. Restoring these pools, along with other upgrades, could cost up to $50 million. In a bid to fund these projects, PacSci is considering selling off some of its underutilized properties, including a cafe that has been closed since the COVID pandemic.
Since 2019, PacSci has sold off valuable property, including a $13.9 million piece of land. The buyer of that parcel has proposed building an eight-story apartment complex on the site, reflecting the growing demand for real estate near the popular Seattle Center.
Despite these hurdles, Daugherty remains determined. “Navigating these challenges is like skiing down black diamond runs. You have to be aware of the risks, but the key to success is leaning into those challenges with a bold vision,” he says.
With a firm commitment to transforming the Pacific Science Center into a modern, thriving educational venue, Daugherty and his team are determined to ensure that the institution remains a vital part of Seattle’s cultural and educational landscape for generations to come.
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