Arena deal heads for final approval
Oct 9, 2012, 12:15 PM | Updated: 4:11 pm
Both the King County and Seattle City Council's will vote next Monday on a proposed deal for a new Seattle arena. (AP image)
(AP image)
A new Seattle arena is one step closer to reality after a King County Council committee vote Tuesday to approve an agreement with developer Chris Hansen.
The budget committee made some minor changes to a deal previously approved by the Seattle City Council to move ahead with a proposal to help finance the $490 million dollar arena with up to $200 million in taxpayer-backed bonds.
Both councils have now scheduled votes for next Monday, Oct. 15.
Once approved, the arena must still pass a lengthy environmental review process and Hansen is required to secure an NBA franchise before he can break ground.
The final agreement calls for Hansen to establish a $40 million fund to study and pay for transportation improvements, along with up to $7 million for KeyArena.
Earlier this week, NBA commissioner David Stern said he was hopeful Seattle would have a new franchise within the next five years.
