Seattle schools introduce Memorial Stadium redevelopment plan, seek partner for management and limited policy changes

Seattle Public Schools on May 14 introduced a plan to replace the aging Memorial Stadium and to negotiate an operating agreement with a nonprofit consortium formed by the Seattle Kraken and its partners to manage commercial events. Chief Operating Officer Fred Podesta told the board that the stadium’s major systems and visitor amenities are failing and that the district — which will remain the owner and primary tenant — is seeking a partner to raise funds, run non‑school events and maintain the facility without diverting capital dollars from school building repairs.

Podesta said the stadium, built after World War II, is in the worst condition of the district’s facilities and that the memorial wall and locker rooms need…