Seattle Center’s historic Monorail Station will undergo a major renovation beginning this month, with work expected to continue through late 2027 while service
Seattle Center’s historic Monorail Station will undergo a major renovation beginning this month, with work expected to continue through late 2027 while service remains in operation.
Seattle Center is managing the grant-funded project in partnership with Seattle Monorail Services, which will advise on operational impacts. The project is fully funded by state and federal grants.
The renovation will make the station fully accessible under ADA Title II standards.
A photo of the ticket gates at the Seattle Center Monorail station. (KOMO News)Planned improvements include a ramp connecting Thomas Street to the station entrance, a resurfaced platform with a smaller gap between the platform and train floor, tactile wayfinding surfaces, updated lighting and signs, and sliding doors with wider openings.
The project will also reconfigure ticketing, queuing and boarding areas to better handle crowds during concerts, sporting events and festivals.
Automatic passenger gates will replace older guardrails, a change intended to improve safety, shorten lines and reduce dwell times after major events.
Construction will include repairs to aging infrastructure, including steel frames and concrete slabs.
Workers will replace corroded guardrails, abate lead paint, and extend the station roof and skylights to provide more weather protection and cover the landmarked train cars while they are parked.
The Monorail opened as part of the 1962 Century 21 World’s Fair and continues to connect downtown Seattle with the Seattle Center campus.
More than 2.2 million people rode the Monorail in 2025, according to Seattle Center, which said ridership is expected to grow as regional light rail expands and activity increases at the campus.
Seattle Center receives nearly 12 million visitors annually and is home to attractions including the Museum of Pop Culture, Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Armory and Climate Pledge Arena.
At least one Monorail train will operate throughout construction, with departures expected about every eight to 10 minutes.
Both trains will be used when possible during high-demand events, and late-night service will continue for Seattle Center and Climate Pledge Arena events.
