Chris Hansen, Russell Wilson-led group continues push for SoDo arena
Feb 1, 2019, 5:38 PM
(AP)
(AP)
A group led by Chris Hansen, Russell Wilson, and a group of local Seattle investors renewed its push to build an NBA-ready arena in SoDo in a letter to Mayor Jenny Durkan and city council.
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“We believe providing an alternative arena option in SoDo creates an insurance policy for the city, particularly if a future NBA ownership group is unable to strike a competitive deal at Seattle Center,” the letter reads, dated Jan. 30.
Signing the letter was Hansen, Wilson, former Seattle SuperSonic Wally Walker, and Erik and Pete Nordstrom.
Hansen’s last attempt to build an arena in Seattle was rejected by city council in 2016. A subsequent pitch that opted not to use public money since stalled out, with the city eventually opting to renovate KeyArena.
The Key’s renovations will cost over $800 million of private money, more $200 million over the original estimates after additional project upgrades were accounted for. The rebuild will leave the iconic exterior design of the Key untouched, while the bulk of the construction will encompass a complete reconstruction of virtually everything inside.
Once KeyArena’s renovations are finished, it will be home to Seattle’s yet-to-be-named NHL franchise in 2021.
The hope for Hansen’s group is that a second Seattle arena will entice the NBA into finally bringing a team back to Washington, following the now-infamous series of events that saw the Sonics moved to Oklahoma City.
“Having both Seattle Center and SoDo as viable options for potential NBA team owners would send a powerful message to the NBA, that not only is Seattle the best available market, but we also understand what an NBA team requires to be successful,” the letter continued.
The letter notes that the group’s arena proposal would exclusively use private money, touting the “many millions of dollars annually” it would supposedly raise in property and “other” taxes.
The Seattle Department of Transportation responded to the group’s letter, stating that it is “reviewing the application” for a condition vacation on Occidental Avenue South to possibly clear the way for an arena.
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