arena.jpg
The unions representing Port of Seattle workers have made good on their threat to sue the city and King County over the proposed arena in SoDo. (AP Photo/file)

Longshore union sues over proposed Seattle arena deal

BY Chris Sullivan  on October 19, 2012 @ 7:06 am (Updated: 9:07 am - 10/19/12 )

The unions representing Port of Seattle workers have made good on their threat to sue the city and King County over the proposed arena in SoDo.

Attorneys representing about 4,000 union port workers filed the suit in superior court on Thursday.

"We're blowing the whistle now because the foul has just been committed," says Attorney Peter Goldman. "We're not going to wait to the end of the game to start calling fouls."

The Superior Court lawsuit contends that Seattle and King County, working with investor Chris Hansen, have approved an agreement to build the arena in an industrial area south of downtown without first completing a required environmental review.

The King County Council and the Seattle City Council gave their final approval on Monday to an agreement to build a $490 million basketball and hockey arena in the city, despite the threat of the lawsuit from longshore workers.

Local 19 of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union contends that adding a third sports arena in the area will create more traffic congestion that will imperil "great working class jobs." The unions also claim the city and county failed to look at any alternative sites to the property south of Safeco Field.

Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes has said the agreement does not bind the city into building the arena at any particular site, and says the agreement calls for a full environmental review as demanded by state law, as well as an analysis of effects on traffic and port operations.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Chris Sullivan, KIRO Radio Reporter
Chris loves the rush of covering breaking news and works hard to try to make sense of it all while telling stories about real people in extraordinary circumstances.
More Local News
Top Stories

  • Heartstopping
    Daredevils post breathtaking pictures atop Seattle landmarks

  • Snowy Passes
    Escape cold Seattle; go skiing at Crystal Mountain

  • Dirty Wars
    Director Jeremy Scahill says Obama hasn't been fighting a clean war
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (5)


  • Add A Comment

  • Basso wrote...
    Someone...
    October 19, 2012 7:39 am
    Just guarantee the "Union" won't lose any dues and they will drop this. Since when do the modern Unions care about anything else then their own trough?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • GDHubly wrote...
    Ok to obstruct a train
    October 19, 2012 8:24 am
    but stay the heck out of the way of my truck...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Padre wrote...
    Suing over an environmental review
    October 19, 2012 9:12 am
    Yeah, right. Like the Union really cares about the environment.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • MainEvent wrote...
    Getting old
    October 19, 2012 10:40 am
    The longshore union, Seattle Times and Seattle Mariners can all go pound sand. The amount of petty and frankly ignorant opposition to the arena is getting old. Chris Hansen has done nothing but been as accommodating and patient as a person possibly could. Stop trying to impede progress and let this man and his partners do what the heck they want. If they have the cash, property and follow the laws they can do whatever the heck they want.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • flipper wrote...
    Knuckleheads
    October 19, 2012 12:22 pm
    Unions have become irrelevant, other than causing business to lose customers and profits. The rank and file see little or no benefit from the union bosses and their constant bouschwa. Give 'em $2 million and they'll go away, just like all the others with their hands out (Seattle Center, Seattle City Council, etc.)
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }