It looks like the Seattle Center Food Court will soon be run by a concessionaire that has current contracts with Woodland Park Zoo and Point Defiance Zoo.
The Seattle Center has announced a letter-of-intent with Lancer Hospitality.
The space was built originally as an armory, completed in 1939. Located at the base of the Space Needle, it was famous in the 1970s for the Bubbleator amusement ride (now in Burien) and for at that time newfangled food attractions, such as Orange Julius smoothies.
Statement from Mayor McGinn's Office
According to the Seattle Center and the office of the Seattle Mayor, the food court will close later this year (July 1st) so that so that the rebuild and food service installation can be completed for the 50th anniversary of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair six-month celebration, April 21 - Oct. 21, 2012.
"It's an ambitious timeline," says Seattle Center spokeswoman Deborah Daoust.
She says the center's timeline will take into account the needs of pupils at the Center School upstairs from the food court as well as the lease agreements with concessionaires currently in the center house space. They are all currently on month-to-month leases, according to Daoust.
Seattle Center chose Lancer Hospitality as the preferred provider following a request for proposals process launched last year. The new partnership lays a foundation for an updated food court area featuring a wide range of eating options, including full service restaurants and healthy and eclectic food choices.
Seattle Center director Robert Nellums says in a prepared statement:
"We are thrilled to be moving forward on much needed improvements to the food court area in time for The Next Fifty celebration in 2012. I am impressed by Lancer Hospitality's approach, and I look forward to working with our new partner to provide an outstanding dining experience in this grand and historic building."
Lancer specializes in catering for businesses and cultural attractions, according to the company's website.
