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Another group opposes SoDo sports arena

July 25, 2012 @ 6:32 pm (Updated: 10:11 am - 7/27/12 )

 

The Port of Seattle is no longer the only vocal opponent of a proposed arena for NBA and NHL teams. The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce has come out against it too.

The Port says the sports arena in the industrial area of Seattle, south of the football and baseball stadiums, would threaten jobs because it could increase traffic and land value. The Seattle Times reported earlier this week the Port has been using old data to support its claim.

Even so, the West Seattle Chamber agrees with the Port. Calling it "incompatible in our marine, industrial and warehouse neighborhood," the head of the chamber sent a letter Wednesday to the City of Seattle and King County.

Their main concern is the impact the facility would have on congestion in SoDo.

Seattle Stadiums

Investor Chris Hansen has purchased property south of Safeco Field for a sports arena. Photo by Natasha Reed

"SoDo is the main artery feeding West Seattle. Many goods needed by West Seattle businesses originate in SoDo warehouses or arrive via truck through SoDo. This is also true for goods and/or freight originating in West Seattle, much of it must go to or through SoDo," writes Dave Montoure, chair of the chamber.

Freight sitting idle in a congested SoDo would be costly for local businesses. Another worry is the impact the arena would have on commuter traffic and family-wage jobs.

The chamber, which represents almost 200 businesses, thinks there is a better place to put an arena. The letter didn't highlight their preferred option.

"The infrastructure investments diverted from SoDo to improve I-5 access via Mercer should be taken advantage of rather than deal with unfunded mitigation that will be required with a new sports and entertainment complex in SoDo," Montoure says.

The King County Council could vote on investor Chris Hansen's arena deal Monday. Both the county council and the Seattle City Council must approve it. Seattle councilmembers haven't set a date yet for their vote.

Hansen has proposed a $490 million facility with $290 million in private investment, and the remaining $200 million would be bonded by the city and county and paid off through arena-generated taxes and revenues over the next 30 years.

By LINDA THOMAS

More from Linda Thomas

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Comments (17)


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  • Rayvensdad wrote...
    Amazing...
    July 25, 2012 6:45 pm
    Did the West Seattle CoC just get word about the arena? Funny how they NOW supposedly oppose the deal. Sounds like a whole lot of political B.S. happening in the wings. If I am not mistaken, the arena would still be the busiest in the evening time, a time where the CoC is not as busy, yeah? Just like the explanation with the Port's complaint. Again, though, what we are getting from the CoC, just like the Ports, are speculations without researched facts. Is the City of Seattle and/or the County turns this down... we are definitely the worst sports town in America, something we've been ranked in the top 2 in the last 3 years. If we turn Chris Hansen down, the @#$% the whole thing! We'll never see a better deal.
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  • Linkege wrote...
    Amazing
    July 25, 2012 7:19 pm
    My friend and I (who lives in WS) went to a Sounders game. I went to her house, and we took the bus to the game. Had no problem getting there. There was some construction probably due to the tunnel or improving 1st Ave. This game started at 7pm, and we didn't have any trouble getting there in a timely fashion. Left around 6:45 7Pm only left late due to traffic on I-5 getting to the house. Don't most port workers live in WS?
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  • Linkege wrote...
    correction
    July 25, 2012 7:23 pm
    Not most port workers in Seattle. How many port workers live in West Seattle?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Daddy Dennis wrote...
    Here's what it comes down to...
    July 25, 2012 10:05 pm
    The needed skill to move freight impacts a city more than the ability to shoot hoops. If it is a choice between the two, there is no choice. If the basketball player messes up, someone gets hit in the face with a ball. If the Port worker messes up, it is carnage.

    Here's a good list of demands to the NBA:

    1. They write an apology to this city and the fans for stealing the Sonics. This apology must be a tear-jerker.

    2. To show how sorry they are, they build our new arena. No private or public money. NBA money that they OWE to us.

    3. They give the restored team the most open draft of available talent ever seen. This draft STARTS with Kevin Durant returning to where he belongs.

    4. The NBA agrees to vacate wins refereed by corrupt officiating teams and institute immediate measures to improve the officiating of games. A payment to the city of Sacramento should be included.

    5. Compensate the state for the time already wasted on the fall-out of their theft.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Enginerd wrote...
    ridiculous set of demands
    July 26, 2012 6:47 am
    I'm not happy with what they did to us, but there's no planet on which those demands would be met. And there isn't an either/or option for port workers and NBA. They aren't mutually exclusive.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Newton wrote...
    Unless you like being in debt. Let the Billionaires Pay for it All.
    July 26, 2012 6:41 am
    The traffic survey by Hansen of course its off center for the fact that he paid for it. I like how the Chamber is trying to hide the real facts at what a sham this whole arena business is. The payoffs are all around except fot the Citizens who get 200 million plus indebt to the bond holders. Tripple profits for chris hansen's down economy land. This arena will sit empty more then ever in a down economy plus all right next to each other the powers to be think it will attract more sport nuts. Maybe the crowds won't be able to afford gas when it jumps back up after the election!. When this all goes south and it will. Property taxes go up jobs go over seas to the cheaper labor market and all the Citizens will be stuck with another white elephant. Full of Debt. You will Living in the Streets Just Like Greece.
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  • MK wrote...
    Anyone Know?
    July 25, 2012 7:42 pm
    What was their stance on Safeco and Qwest/CLink when they were being proposed and built?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    Deal - No Deal?
    July 25, 2012 8:15 pm
    "No Deal" - CH. Can't win them all.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Daddy Dennis wrote...
    Good for them
    July 25, 2012 9:28 pm
    Arena supporters: "This will not be built until we secure a team."

    David Stern: "There will be no team until there is a building."

    Double-talkers who contradict themselves at every turn.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Enginerd wrote...
    Daddy
    July 26, 2012 6:45 am
    We won't get a team until we have a signed agreement to build...not a building itself. Agreement > team > building. That's the process.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Zagnut wrote...
    Enginerd, he doesn't understand, and it seems he is incapable of ever understanding.
    July 26, 2012 7:20 am
    Amazing but true.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • tlmbrt wrote...
    Looks to me
    July 25, 2012 10:10 pm
    like some grubby palms need greasing!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ted Bundi wrote...
    Started at 200 million
    July 25, 2012 10:25 pm
    "...$290 million in private investment..." So it's already up to 290 mill....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Enginerd wrote...
    Ted
    July 26, 2012 6:47 am
    It was always 290 private, 200 city bonds.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cryan wrote...
    WSCC
    July 25, 2012 11:09 pm
    Please everyone read the WSCC letter ... A disturbing lack of facts and not a representation of West Seattle. Please check out West Seattle blog http://westseattleblog.com/2012/07/west-seattle-chamber-of-commerce-opposes-sodo-location-for-arena-letter-sent-to-city-county-councils for local reaction to this emabarrasing statement made by the chamber of commerce.
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  • hpygolkyone wrote...
    Daddy Dennis..................
    July 26, 2012 5:57 am
    You forgot number 6..........

    6. David Stern has to eat 41 really large nasty bugs . One for every year the Sonics were in Seattle. I'm thinking of that really large, nasty, snapping cave spider from Fear Factor:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EZ_vI7cWAI

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