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The Longshore union will file a legal challenge to an expected agreement to build a new arena in Seattle's SoDo neighborhood. (AP image)

Port workers to sue over new Seattle arena

BY Josh Kerns  on October 12, 2012 @ 10:33 am (Updated: 3:22 pm - 10/12/12 )

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The union representing Port of Seattle workers says it will sue to challenge Seattle and King County's expected approval of an agreement with developer Chris Hansen to build a new sports arena in the SoDo neighborhood.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 19 argues the arena would devastate the city's maritime, industrial, manufacturing, and warehousing future by bringing traffic and construction congestion to the area.

"Our union supports the return of the NBA to Seattle and we are not opposed to an arena somewhere in the Puget Sound region. But we cannot stand idly by while Mr. Hansen and his well-connected lobbyists, along with our elected officials, build an arena in a location that threatens the livelihood of our members and many other workers in the maritime industry and SODO," said Cameron Williams, ILWU local 19 President.

Both the Seattle City and King County Council's are expected to vote Monday, Oct. 15 to go forward on an agreement with Hansen for the $490 million arena. The deal calls for taxpayers to help finance construction with up to $200 million in bonds.

Attorney David Mann, who represents the union, argues the proposal should have been subject to a thorough environmental review and other sites fully studied before it's approval.

"If we're going to use a public facility for a basketball team then there should have been no further commitment other than to look at available properties through an EIS process," Mann says.

But Joe McDermott, chairman of the King County Council's budget committee, insists the review will be thorough before Hansen can proceed at any location.

"That analysis will include not only a full EIS, but alternative sites and we've added a whole new layer on requiring an economic impact analysis as well," McDermott says.

In a statement responding to the threatened suit, Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes said the SoDo location is not "preordained."

According to Holmes, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the arena with Hansen would "launch a thorough vetting process of multiple factors," that includes consideration of one or more alternative sites, traffic impact, impacts to freight mobility and more.

A spokesman for Hansen declined to comment.

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
Josh Kerns is co-host of KIRO Radio's Seattle Sounds (Saturday nights 7-8) and a digital content producer for MyNorthwest.com.
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Comments (25)


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  • Lessmith50 wrote...
    Please go away
    October 12, 2012 11:32 am
    You big Frickin* cry babies. What? you can't get your corrupt dirty hands on this deal so your going to cry. What a bunch of punk a55 babies. Go back to holding little old ladies hostage. I worked with the longshoremen at the port of Tacoma for years. They were the laziest worthless punk a55 workers I have ever been around. they wanted FO be paid super high wages for sitting on their a55 s for most of the day. I seen it daily. Lazy Pukes!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Largent804 wrote...
    Oh Please.....
    October 12, 2012 11:41 am
    Sounds like they are just trying to get their hands on any money they can.... An environmental impact statement, wake up that is part of the process anyways. You just want your cut now.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Environmental Impact My A
    October 14, 2012 11:12 am
    These chickenshits are using the EPA? What a joke! EPA= Employment Prevention Agency
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • artimus wrote...
    Outstanding way
    October 12, 2012 11:56 am
    ...to get every sports fan in Seattle to hate your guts.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • gb1118 wrote...
    UNION GOONS.....
    October 12, 2012 12:03 pm
    Plain and simple. Get real jobs you lazy, moron a55holes!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Snout wrote...
    These people are related to
    October 12, 2012 12:38 pm
    the thugs down in Longview. The "blank you blanksucker, that's my name" guys. Class acts all around.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Tonic99 wrote...
    Spilt Milk
    October 12, 2012 12:46 pm
    .
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shark75 wrote...
    Eff*ing Unions
    October 12, 2012 2:06 pm
    ALWAYS complaining about something. ALWAYS. A bunch of babies.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Zagnut wrote...
    We can't really boycott the port. I'd sure like a way to cause them pain.
    October 12, 2012 3:18 pm
    Any ideas?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hpitantso wrote...
    Road Block
    October 12, 2012 3:30 pm
    How about those in favor of free enterprise support it with pickets and shut down the greedy corupt port workers and their representativesthere been too much money spent already work it out save it's members dues for a better day.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fartforce1 wrote...
    I threw up a road block once
    October 12, 2012 3:41 pm
    my neck hurt for a week! Waka waka
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }