Dori Monson has a date with Nick Licata over new ping-pong table at Seattle City Hall

Wednesday marked a big day at City Hall with the unveiling of their brand new ping-pong table.

The city leader responsible for securing the table, touted by backers as a great tool to spark innovation, was none other than City Councilmember Nick Licata. He made a name for himself as the founder of “Citizens For More Important Things,” when the Mariners were trying to build a new stadium in ’95.

“Is this finally the more important thing you were talking about 18 years ago?” KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson asked Licata when he agreed to come on the program Thursday.

“One of your mantras was that government shouldn’t engage in the silliness of building a stadium, so why are we sending out press releases from City Hall, from you … about ping-pong tables?”

Licata acknowledges it’s certainly not one of those “more important things,” but the space at City Hall, that now houses the ping-pong table, was being used for nothing, and he was able to get the table for $1.

“When you walk through those red doors down on Fourth Avenue, it’s just empty space that is wasted,” said Licata. “Why not have something the public can use?”

Dori also challenged Licata on the requirements to rent the ping-pong paddles. Players must present ID, which is something, Dori notes, that isn’t even required to vote in this city.

“So we have a higher standard for ping pong than we have for voting in Seattle now?”

Licata didn’t engage Dori in this, as he said they’re two very different cases. The ID for the paddles is really just like a security deposit, not about identification, he said. But he did tap Dori for another challenge.

“Do you play ping-pong?” Licata asked.

“Yeah, I do,” said Dori.

“Well then you’ve got to come over here and play me,” said Licata.

“Now wait a second, because you know when Mayor McGinn challenged me to a game of basketball, then he chickened out,” said Dori. “Now that I’ve got you on record and on the air, we’re going to play?”

“Why not? Sure,” said Licata.

The two agreed to play a ping-pong match next week at City Hall. Dori suggested, to make things interesting, they also raise the stakes.

“How about we put a little something on the game?” said Dori. “Loser quits their job.”

Licata did not agree to Dori’s wager and said instead, they should just play in the spirit of brotherly love.

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