1250 1st Avenue South
SoDo, Seattle, WA 98134-1216
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Overview
Safeco Field (later renamed T-Mobile Park) has served as the home of the American League's Seattle Mariners Major League Baseball franchise since 1999. In many ways, Safeco Field was a Post Modern stadium, as its scale and styling recalled baseball stadia built during the early 1900s, such as Ebbetts Field, Comiskey Park, Tiger Stadium or Wrigley Field. Safeco's architects sought to blend the ballpark with its context of brick warehouses and industrial buildings in the surrounding Pioneer Square and SoDo neighborhoods. Oriole Park at Camden Yards (1992), designed by HOK Sports, proved to be the first and most influential "retro" baseball venue of the 1990s, and Safeco Field followed its example in many ways.
Building History
On 09/19/1995, a King County referendum to increase the sales tax .01% was voted upon, and failed 50.1% to 49.9%. Subsequent maneuvering in the Washington Legislature got around the vote by creating a Public Facilities District (PFD) that had the authority to levy tax money to get the stadium built. The stadium cost $517.6 million, the most expensive stadium in the U.S. up to that time. $380 million was paid by taxpayers (not counting interest) and $100 million by the Seattle Mariners, all for cost over-runs. (According to a Seattle Post-Intelligencer article of 07/14/1999, cost over-runs occurred for several reasons: "PFD blames redesigns, errors and omissions due to tight work schedule. Biggest increase is $13 million for structural concrete changes and $13 million for construction management." [See "Safeco Field Timeline"
The Los Angeles-based Sports and Entertainment studio of NBBJ of Seattle designed the baseball stadium, designed to follow the styling and seating capacity of Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, MD. Like Camden Yards, it had a retro, brick-faced facade, that took styling cues from the warehouses of the surrounding Pioneer Square / SoDo neighborhood. Also similar to Camden Yards was the way in which the Downtown architecture of the city was featured through the outfield vista. NBBJ designed Safeco to accommodate 47,116 fans, while Camden Yards originally held 48,876. (Earlier multi-purpose stadia of the 1960s and 1970s tended to be much larger, seating about 60,000 fans for football.) Unlike the Baltimore park, Safeco Field included a retractable roof to protect against rain-outs. Seattle can have rainy springs, but summers are usually quite dry.
Leaders of the NBBJ Sports and Entertainement division at the time of Safeco's design were Daniel R. Meis, Ronald F. Turner and Michael Hallmark.
A 25-year lease was signed by the Mariners with the Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District in 1995. As 2020 approached, the Seattle Times encouraged that this lease to be resigned for another extended period. It reviewed the lease's terms in 2018: "In 1995, a deal was struck to keep Major League Baseball in our community. King County, recognizing the importance of keeping the Mariners here, created the PFD to acquire land, construct what would become Safeco Field, own the ballpark on behalf of the taxpayers and act as the landlord overseeing the lease with the Mariners. For their part, the Mariners paid nearly 30 percent of the construction costs and signed a 20-year lease that included their commitment to maintain the ballpark in first-class condition. And our region's baseball fans made a compact of their own to support the team for years to come. All parties have kept their promises. As the tenant, the Mariners have spent $350 million on maintenance, operations, capital repairs and improvements over the last 19 years, creating a clean, safe and enjoyable facility that is the envy of the many cities." As part of a new lease, the Mariners would continue to pay the costs of maintenance, coming to about $10 million yearly, The Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District and the Mariners also agreed to set aside $15 million per year for repair of large structural/infrastructure elements, such as the retractable roof, signage, electrical and plumbing systems and seating. By 2018, more than 45 million fans had attended a game at Safeco, making it, next to the Pike Place Market, one of Seattle's most popular tourist attractions. (See "Safeco Field lease is a smalrt investment for the region," Seattle Times, 07/11/2018, p. A9.) This lease was extended for another 25 years by the Mariners and the Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District on 05/23/2018.
In 12/2018, the Seattle Mariners signed a 25-year naming contract for its stadium to the German telecom giant, T-Mobile. T-Mobile would pay a fee of $87.5 million for the naming rights, a cost of about $3.5 million per year. T-Mobile maintained a local headquarters in Bellevue, WA, that employed about 8,000 in 2018. The contract was later ratified by the building's owner, the Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District (PFD). (See Ryan Divish, Seattle Times.com, "Goodbye, Safeco Field. The Mariners’ stadium is now called T-Mobile Park," published 12/19/2018, accessed 03/13/2023.)
The 2023 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was awarded to Seattle in 09/2021.
Building Notes
Designed for the Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District, the stadium holds 47,000 spectators.
Seattle's own multi-purpose stadium, the Kingdome, stood just to the north of Safeco Field at 201 South King Street.
Between 07/1995 and 10/1999, Mariners' ownership reported opeating losses of approximately $200 million. This $200 million loss needed to be paid off before the Mariners contractually could share revenue with the Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District.By 2020, the Mariners paid the Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District (PFD) $4.6 million from the sale of BAMTech Media, an investment partially owned by MLB Advanced Media. (See Sach Spedden, Ballpark Digest.com, "Seattle Mariners Pay $4.6M to T-Mobile Park Owner," published 05/15/2019, accessed 03/13/2023.) Disney purchased BAMTech Media from MLB and the NHL between 2017 and 2022 for about $900 million, and this revenue was divided equally among the 30 MLB franchises in 2017-2018. The Mariners received $50 million in 2018, enabling them to pay some of the revenue back to the PFD by 2020.
Alteration
In 2005, a fireproof zinc coating began to delaminate from steel beam, requiring repainting, which occurred a year later. The Mariners sued the contractors, Hunt Construction and Kiewit Construction, who, in turn, sued their sub-contractors, Herrick Steel and Long Painting. Eight Skyboxes were removed to make way for the All-Star Club, a luxury restaurant in Safeco Field for season ticket holders in 2007.
A large Safeco Field sign was installed in 02-03/2007 that was to be visible from Interstate 5 to the east.
During the 2010s, various changes were made to the electronic signage behind the outfield. The web site MLB.com stated: "The LED Out-of-Town scoreboard was installed in left field before the 2010 season, and in 2011, LED ribbon boards were installed on the Terrace Club fascia. The in-house production, broadcast and entertainment systems are also being upgraded to high definition. The video screen and production upgrades are part of an estimated $15 million maintenance and capital improvement plan for Safeco Field to be completed before the 2013 season. The Mariners, who are responsible for maintenance, capital improvements and operations of Safeco Field, have invested over $80 million in the ballpark since 1999. The new video screen replaces the scoreboard that was built in 1999, the inaugural season of Safeco Field. Measuring 56.7-feet high by 201.5-feet wide and covering 11,425 square feet, the new video screen fills the same location and space as the old scoreboard, but because the entire thing is a high definition screen, the video space itself is nearly 10 times the size of the current video screen. The viewing area will be equal to about 2,182 42-inch flat screen TVs." (See MLB.com, "New Safeco Field HD Scoreboard will be the largest in MLB," accessed 07/16/2018.)
In 2020, the Mariners announced that they would spend about $280 milion over ten years to maintain and upgrade T-Mobile Park. In 2020-2021, they allocated about $29.8 million, to cover the costs of retractable roof equipment repair, and for painting and plumbing renovations. In addition, the park's original public address sound system was to be upgraded and ADA alterations made to accommodate all fans. Other fan improvements were noted by the website, Ballpark Digest.com in 09/2021: "Expand the Left Field Gate to add 15 additional points of entry for fans and replace the existing Left Field ticket office with a new concession area that will connect to The T-Mobile ‘Pen (shown below); Create a new bar and fan/group entertainment space at Lookout Landing above the left field foul pole on the View Level; Create an elevated Rooftop Boardwalk above the Home Plate Gate rotunda with enhanced viewing areas, concessions, monitors and kids play activities; Introduce a new seating option in the First Base Terrace Club with Terrace Club Loge Boxes and Terrace Club Tables to provide an alternative to single seats in favor of small group or social spaces for fans." (See Kevin Reichard, Ballpark Digest.com, "$50M in T-Mobile Park improvements planned before ASG," published 09/17/2021, accessed 03/13/2023.)
PCAD id: 4552
Publications
Bush, James, "Stealing home [Seattle]", Arcade, 22: 2, 31-32, Winter 2003. Richards, Hugh, "The dome and the safe: critique, Safeco Field, [Seattle, Washington] ", Arcade, 18: 1, 32, Fall 1999. "Ballpark foes try a fifth time to halt construction: Initiative would force vote on vacating Occidental Ave.", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, B2, col 4, 3/11/1997. Johns, Greg, "Subtle Safeco changes for fans", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, D2, 04/02/2007. O'Meara, Madeleine, "Safeco Field hits grand slam for recycling", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, B5, 06/18/2007. Thiel, Art, "Jumping through, beyond hoops to sell arena", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, D1, D7, 01/29/2007. "My O My!", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, E1, 03/01/2007. Andriesen, David, "Safeco spreading luxury", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, C4, 02/23/2007. "Safeco Field lease is a smart investment for the region", Seattle Times, A9, 2018-07-11. Miletich, Steve, "M's call foul on proposed strip club", Seattle Times, A1, A7, 10/28/2008. Anderson, Rick, Curl, Aimee, "The M's $2.5 million paint job", Seattle Weekly, 10-11, 04/09-15/2008.
Links
$50M in T-Mobile Park improvements planned before ASG Goodbye, Safeco Field. The Mariners’ stadium is now called T-Mobile Park Safeco Field timeline Seattle Mariners Pay $4.6M to T-Mobile Park Owner
FAQs
How long does it take to close the roof at T-Mobile Park? ›
The three movable panels glide on 128 steel wheels powered by 96 ten horsepower electric motors. A push of a button closes or opens the roof in an average of 10-20 minutes (depending on wind and other weather conditions).
What happened to Safeco Field in Seattle? ›The Mariners' stadium is now called T-Mobile Park. The Mariners and T-Mobile announced a 25-year partnership that will begin in January and run through December 2043. Per Forbes, the deal is worth $87.5 million.
Do the Mariners own T-Mobile Park? ›It is the ballpark of Major League Baseball's Seattle Mariners and has a seating capacity of 47,929. It is in Seattle's SoDo neighborhood, near the western terminus of Interstate 90. It is owned and operated by the Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District.
Can you bring a camera into T-Mobile Park? ›No backpacks or bags of any size will be permitted into the venue except for small clutches (9″ x 5″ x 2″ max). Cameras with interchangeable/detachable lens or external flash (No Professional Photography) Audio/Visual Recording Devices (includes GoPro, Google Glass, Spectacles, etc.) Selfie Sticks, Tripods, Monopods.
Where is the best place to park for a Mariners game? ›Parking: T-Mobile Park offers three parking garages: Mariners Garage, Lumen Field Garage and Union Station Garage South, which is the furthest of the three but also the most affordable. Parking lots and garages are also located in the Central Business District to the north of the ballpark.
Can you bring purse to Mariners game? ›Small clutch bags no larger than 4.5" x 6.5" are permitted. (Bags do not have to be clear plastic or vinyl.) Backpacks, multi-compartment bags, duffle bags and purses larger than 4.5"x6. 5" are not permitted.
What is the Seattle Mariners controversy? ›Seattle Mariners CEO resigns in scandal over players' ability to speak English. Kevin Mather, president and CEO of the Seattle Mariners, was caught on video criticizing his players' English and calling one “overpaid.” The comments were posted online and denounced by players, fans and the league.
How long does it take for the roof to close at Safeco Field? ›And for those interested, here is a fun look at the Safeco Field roof closing, which takes 10–20 minutes depending on wind and other weather conditions.
Does Safeco Field roof close? ›Retractable Roof Policy
The decision as to whether a game begins with the roof open or closed rests solely with the home club. If the game begins with the roof open: It shall be closed only in the event of impending rain or other adverse weather conditions.
Yes it is safe! There are lots of police along the streets before, during and after the event. You will be also walking with other people going to the event as well. Helpful?
How to get to Mariners game from downtown Seattle? ›
Take transit to the game
T-Mobile Park is accessible by Link light rail, ST Express buses and several Metro routes. Mariners games are a short walk from the Link Stadium and International District/Chinatown stations as well as numerous bus stops. Use the online trip planner to find your best option.
Note that T-Mobile is entirely cashless; you can load up a prepaid card at one of eight self-serve kiosks if you only have cash, but you won't be able to use cash for anything other than tips in the park.
Can I bring a small purse to T-Mobile Park? ›No bags or backpacks will be permitted in into the venue except for small clutches (9”x5”x2” max). Please see specific event page at Upcoming Events for more information on specific events that may enforce a modified bag policy.
Can I bring a water bottle to T-Mobile Park? ›Fans are allowed to bring in one factory sealed or one empty plastic reusable water bottle 32 ounces or less. Soda, coffee or other beverages are not allowed. Self-defense sprays (including mace, pepper or bear spray)
Can I bring a blanket to Mariners game? ›Items may not be used to obscure the view of bag contents, including but not limited to non-clear bags, pouches, etc. Bags with interior contents obscured from view are not allowed,” the M's website states. Strollers, wheelchairs and other mobility devices are allowed inside the ballpark. Blankets are also allowed.
How much does it cost to park at Seattle Mariners stadium? ›Located at at 820 4th Ave South, Seattle WA 98104
Price range: $8-$30. Good for traveling from the north, east and the west-and via I-5 and 4th Avenue.
- Bags larger than 16″ x 16″ x 8″
- Pets. ...
- Professional-style camera lenses or tripods.
- Selfie sticks, flag/sign poles or brooms longer than 36″
- Weapons.
- Alcohol, glass containers or outside beverages (except permitted)
- Drones.
- Noisemakers or laser pointers.
4)- The Pen
That's right, The Pen is the bar area located right next to the Mariners Bullpen in Center Field. Made for the early bird, The Pen opens 2 and half hours before the first pitch of every Mariner's game, that's 30 minutes sooner than every other ballpark gate.
Yes, You Can Bring Your Own Food to a Mariners Game.
How much is a beer at a Mariners game? ›Since different ballparks sell their beer in various sizes, beer prices were adjusted to be by ounce. The most expensive beer can be found at Los Angeles Dodgers games, where it's a staggering $0.99 an ounce. The Mariners are at the top of the cheapest beer list, with beer only at $0.33 an ounce.
What can you bring into a MLB game? ›
- Clear single-compartment bags 12" x 12" x 6" or smaller.
- Non-clear bags 9" x 5" x 2" or smaller.
- One-gallon clear sealable bags.
- Non-alcoholic sealed plastic bottles (32 ounces or smaller)
- Personal size food items (e.g., a sandwich, small bags of pretzels, piece of fruit)
- Strollers, Wheelchairs, Umbrellas.
History. The Angels have played the Seattle Mariners several times per season since the latter's founding and entry into the AL West division in 1977. On April 11, 1990, newly-signed Angels starting pitcher Mark Langston and reliever Mike Witt threw a combined no-hitter against Seattle.
What was the biggest MLB controversy? ›The 1919 World Series resulted in the most famous scandal in baseball history, often referred to as the Black Sox Scandal. Eight players from the Chicago White Sox (nicknamed the Black Sox) were accused of throwing the series against the Cincinnati Reds.
Why do Mariners fans have sneakers on their hats? ›At a T-Mobile Park watch party, a Mariners fan decided a rally cap wasn't enough to overcome that kind of deficit, so they tried putting a shoe on their head.
How early do gates open at Safeco Field? ›Q: What time do the gates normally open? A: Gates open 90 minutes before game time.
What is the biggest stadium with a closing roof? ›The world's largest retractable roof covers the SkyDome, home of the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team, near the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada. Completed in June 1989,  the roof covers 3.2 ha (8 acres), spans 209 m (685 ft) at its widest point and rises to 86 m (282 ft).
How long does it take to close the roof of a stadium? ›The roof can close in fewer than seven minutes and the shutters can close in 30 seconds. The time it takes to establish a given temperature and humidity in the stadium depends on the current atmospheric conditions.
Do the Mariners close the roof when it rains? ›T-Mobile Park's retractable roof enables fans to stay dry during the rainy days of the season. The retractable roof covers the entire ballpark but does not enclose it, providing an open air feel.
How many stadiums have closing roofs? ›Which MLB Retractable Roof Stadiums are used the most often? Seven MLB stadiums have retractable roofs, but you might be surprised to find teams in sunnier climates use theirs most often.
Does Safeco Field in Seattle have a retractable roof? ›The first time the retractable roof at Safeco Field opened during the stadium's grand opening on July 15, 1999, the Seattle Symphony marked the gravity of the moment by playing, live, “Also Sprach Zarathustra,” better known as the theme from the movie, “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
Why is it so hard to hit at T-Mobile Park? ›
That's obviously Green Monster-aided, but some combination of the environmental factors, the now-undersized outfield, and the relatively firm and shallow outfield walls in straight right and left field seem to render T-Mobile Park a tricky place to find outfield grass.
How much are the beers at T-Mobile Park 2023? ›Value Beers — The popular Value Beers program continues this 2023 season with a revamped line-up of local and national brands including Miller Lite, Vizzy, Pacifico and Lagunitas Brewing Company. This season, 12 beers will be available at various locations around the ballpark priced at $5 and $6 for 12oz cans.
How much is an Uber from Sea Tac to Downtown Seattle? ›The cost of an Uber from SeaTac airport to downtown Seattle:
Prices of ubers vary significantly according to surges, but you can expect to spend between $40 and $100 to take an Uber from SeaTac airport to downtown Seattle.
Link light rail travels between Northgate Station and Angle Lake, making stops along the way, including UW Station, downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. Link trains run every 6, 10 or 15 minutes depending on the time of day.
How early can you get into Mariners game? ›Gates open 90 minutes before game time.
Does T-Mobile Park have charging stations? ›T-Mobile Park does not offer public pay phones or TTY. Cell Phone Charging Stations are located at SEC 123, 133, 224, 329 and in The 'Pen presented by T-Mobile.
How can I go cashless? ›Credit/debit Cards
Credit and debit cards are one of the most convenient modes of cashless payments ever since it was invented. Rather than paying in cash for goods and services, the user can use a credit or debit card to make payments without cash.
All main T-Mobile Park gates to open 90 minutes before the first pitch. The T-Mobile 'Pen gate, located next to the Mariners bullpen in centerfield, opens two hours before the first pitch. Fans will only be able to access the 'Pen area of the ballpark until all other main gates open.
Can I bring a backpack and my purse? ›Most airlines allow passengers to bring on both a carry-on and a personal item like a backpack, laptop bag, purse, briefcase, shopping bag, etc. The general rule of thumb is that your personal item is smaller in dimension than your carry-on bag and it can fit underneath the seat in front of you.
Can you bring a fanny pack to MLB game? ›CLEAR FANNY PACK
In case you missed it, fanny packs are back in style. With a stadium-approved size, this fanny pack allows you to wear your bag past security, meeting all transparent bag policies -- perfect for stadium sporting events and concerts.
Can I bring my vape into T Mobile stadium? ›
The no smoking policy includes the use of e-cigarettes and similar products including smokeless tobacco. Smoking and vaping is not permitted except in designated areas.
Can you bring your own food to a baseball game? ›Most ballparks allow you to bring in outside food in single-serving portions: The Nationals policy, for example, states: “All food items must be contained in single-serving bags within a soft-sided container or cooler that does not exceed 16″x16″x8″.” So wraps, sandwiches or small bags of popcorn?
What is the bag policy in MLB stadiums? ›In most stadiums, any bag bigger than a clutch (4.5" x 6.5") needs to be clear in order to be permitted. Bags over a certain size (even if they're clear), typically 12” x 6” x 12”, are also prohibited.
Can you bring water into MLB games? ›Can I bring in water? Fans are permitted to bring in factory sealed bottles of water or empty plastic reusable bottle 32 ounce or less in size. Non-sealed water bottles, metal bottles, aluminum bottles, glass bottles, or any bottle larger than 32 ounces in size is prohibited.
Where can I park for the Mariners game for free? ›Light rail: T-Mobile Park is a short 10-15 minute walk from both the Stadium and International District/Chinatown light rail stations. Free parking is available at the Angle Lake, Tukwila International Boulevard and Northgate Link light rail stations, according to Sound Transit's website.
Where is the best place to park for the Mariners games? ›- 820 4th Ave. S - Union Station Parking Garage. Excellent (1,161) 0.3 mi. starting at. $ 17 .16.
- 93 Railroad Way S (505 1st Ave. S) - Garage. Excellent (1,312) 0.4 mi. starting at. $ 16.
- 114 James St. - Butler Garage. Excellent (713) 0.7 mi. starting at. ...
- 714 1st Ave. - Garage. Great (1,437) 0.8 mi. starting at.
4) Even though the roof covers more than 10.5 acres and is made of 12,000 tons of steel, it takes only about 10 minutes to completely open or close.
How long does it take to close a football stadium roof? ›exceeding 12 minutes. That's how long it takes for the roof to close, which isn't bad considering each roof panel weighs more than 1.1 million pounds. Stadium designers created a 480-horsepower motorized system to control the structure as the panels roll along.
How long does it take to close a retractable stadium roof? ›Power is provided by long cables that are reeled in and out as the roof slides open and shut. Opening and closing the roof is done at a rate of 30 feet (9.1 m) per minute and takes about 10 to 20 minutes.
What happens if a ball hits the roof of a stadium? ›Unless outlined otherwise in the home park ground rules (i.e., Tampa Bay), a batted ball lodged in the roof above fair territory is considered a dead ball, and all runners (including the batter-runner) will be awarded two bases.
Does MLB decide if the roof is open? ›
The roof can be closed only for weather reasons if the game begins with the roof open. If the game begins with the roof closed, it can be reopened once if the home team determines the climatic environment has reached a level where fan comfort and enjoyment will be best served by opening the roof.
Can you bring snacks into the Brewers stadium? ›Sealed bottles of water, juice or soda (32 oz. or smaller), and personal size food items (e.g., a sandwich, small bags of pretzels, piece of fruit) are all permitted inside of the ballpark.
How many baseball stadiums have closed roof? ›There are seven Major League Baseball stadiums with retractable roofs. Tropicana Field is the only MLB stadium with a fixed dome roof.
Does Seattle Seahawks stadium roof close? ›Allen rejected plans for a retractable roof during the early stages of the stadium's design. The lack of a retractable roof made it open to the elements, provided better views, and reduced the total cost of the project. The roof, at 200,000 sq ft (19,000 m2), covers 70% of the seats but leaves the field open.
What is the biggest stadium in the world? ›Rungrado 1st of May Stadium, Pyongyang
The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium, also known as the Rungrado May Day Stadium, is the largest stadium in the world. It can officially accommodate 150,000 spectators.
Yes, State Farm Stadium is climate controlled with air conditioning throughout its 1.7 million square feet. The average high temperature in Glendale exceeds 100 degrees during the summer months.
Which stadium has closed roof? ›'Docklands Stadium' is the only stadium in the world with a retractable roof. Also known as the 'Marvel Stadium', the stadium was established in 2000 in Melbourne, Australia. This stadium allows the game to continue even in bad weather conditions. Other than Marvel Stadium, it is also known as Telstra Stadium.
What is the smallest stadium with retractable roof? ›Toyama Stadium – design description
The Japanese city of Toyama may go in history as one to have the world's smallest stadium equipped with a retractable roof.