WASHINGTON STATE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL STADIUM
Seattle Public Facilities District - Leasing Safeco Field to the Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Public Facilities District leases Safeco Field to the Seattle Mariners which manage operations and maintenance for all events in the facility.
Safeco Field, Seattle, PFD, Public Facilities District, King County
T-Mobile Park is owned by the Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District (PFD). The PFD was created in 1995 by the Washington State Legislature and the King County Council. A municipal corporation, the PFD is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors. Four directors are appointed by the King County Executive subject to confirmation by the King County Council, while the remaining three directors are appointed by the Governor based on one recommendation each from the Speaker of the House and the Majority Leader of the Senate.
The mission of the PFD is “To maintain and enhance our iconic baseball park in order to promote the success of Major League Baseball in the State of Washington, enhance fan enjoyment and contribute to an economically successful, safe, desirable, innovative and walkable stadium neighborhood.” In addition to what happens inside the ballpark, the PFD works both to protect and to leverage the value of this publicly-owned asset on transportation, zoning and development issues in neighborhoods adjacent to the ballpark.
The role of the PFD is to ensure compliance with the terms of the new lease by reviewing the annual Ballpark Management Plan. This includes overseeing investments in T-Mobile Park, ensuring it is maintained as a “first class” facility by the Mariners as required in the lease. The PFD also works with the Seattle Mariners to provide public benefits that enhance the fan experience and improve the neighborhood surrounding the ballpark.