Arena-concept980
Architects for a new Seattle arena say it will become a neighborhood landmark rather than a "black box" like arenas of the past. (Conceptual drawing via Seattle Department of Planning and Development)

Seattle arena architects promise to be 'good neighbor'

BY Josh Kerns  on November 28, 2012 @ 7:20 am (Updated: 9:36 am - 11/28/12 )

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The architects designing a new Seattle arena say the building will be a "landmark" and a good neighbor for the SoDo area.

The Seattle Times reports Brad Schrock, senior principal for 360 Architecture, told a city Design Review Board Tuesday night that the new facility proposed by investor Chris Hansen will be unique and won't be like many generic arenas built in other cities.

"We're doing everything we can to encourage connection on all sides of the building so it becomes a gateway and a beacon," Schrock told the panel.

Architects on the team told the board they're planning a design that allows fans to see views of landmarks like Mount Rainier and the waterfront from the new building.

They also addressed the board's questions about pedestrian access, especially over the nearby train tracks. The architects said they're planning a number of connections along with a restaurant or bar to make the area pedestrian friendly.

The design team released its first conceptual drawings earlier this month showing some general ideas of what an arena in the area might look like. The firm is expected to give a first look at detailed architectural drawings on Friday, Nov. 28.

The design review is just one step in what's expected to be a year-long process before approval is granted to start work on the proposed $490 million, 725,000-square-foot-arena.

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 (4)


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  • The Dude Abides wrote...
    I can't wait!
    November 28, 2012 10:15 am
    I'll be very happy to see the Sonics back in Seattle, but I just can't wait to finally have an NHL team again! I'll be one of the first in line for season tickets when hockey comes to town. I'm so psyched to be able to watch guys like Sidney Crosby & Roberto Luongo up close and in person...maybe I'll catch a tooth or something!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Dude
    November 28, 2012 2:35 pm
    The guys that will be playing at a new arena (if or when its ever built)are in Junior hockey now or playing BB in high school.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    go supersuckers . . . .
    November 28, 2012 4:26 pm
    hope you get what you wanted. More losers like the boys next door(M's).
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Snout wrote...
    Good neighbor in Sodo?
    November 28, 2012 4:35 pm
    Like the people who hang out there? So they'll cover up their business while peeing in the alley? They'll say please when they brandish a knife and demand money? When in a drunken stupor will they try to enunciate when they ramble on about the end of the world? Those are the "residents" of Sodo. This a win for that garbage dump.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }