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Mayor Durkan Announces Robert Nellams Will Remain as Director of Seattle Center

Seattle (April 6) – Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced that Robert Nellams, who was set to retire in May, will remain as Director of Seattle Center.

“Robert and Seattle Center are synonymous. Over the next few years, we will see the rebirth of Seattle Center as an economic, arts, and cultural engine for decades to come. I asked Robert to continue his incredible work leading this vibrant and innovative place,” said Mayor Durkan.

“At this moment, Seattle Center is transforming, and I couldn’t miss the opportunity to be a part of our continued work. With our incredible staff, we will continue our purpose: to create exceptional events, experiences, and environments that delight and inspire the spirit to build stronger communities,” said Robert Nellams, Director of Seattle Center.

Nellams, who has been the Director of Seattle Center since 2006, has spent more than 20 years at the Seattle Center. Nellams will continue overseeing day-to-day operations of Seattle Center.

Moving forward with the development of the new Seattle Center Arena and other Seattle Center projects will require significant collaboration of multiple city departments, private businesses including OVG and other governments including Seattle Public Schools. Working with Nellams, Marshall Foster, who currently serves and will continue to serve as the Director of the Office of the Waterfront, will lead implementation and planning efforts with partners and City departments around the Seattle Center Arena, pedestrian and transportation initiatives, and Memorial Stadium. Building on his work at the waterfront, Foster will bring together key staff from the Mayor’s Office and the City’s Departments of Transportation (SDOT), Office of Economic Development (OED), Office of Planning & Community Development (OPCD), Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI), Parks and Recreation, and others to manage the effort as an integrated team.

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