Next step toward Seattle basketball, hockey arena unveiled
Feb 25, 2015, 2:10 PM | Updated: Feb 26, 2015, 5:43 am
An investment group dedicated to bringing back an NBA team to Seattle released images of the 'Sonics Rings' it envisions for a new arena in the SoDo neighborhood nearly two years ago. (www.Sonicsarena.com)
(www.Sonicsarena.com)
The next major milestone for a new Seattle arena is expected in May.
The Seattle mayor’s office announced Wednesday it expects the final environmental impact statement of the proposed arena in SoDo to be done by May 7.
Related: Sonics supporters confident Murray will support NBA, Seattle arena
“This is a complex process spanning several years, but I want the public informed about how the process will unfold,” Mayor Ed Murray said in a statement.
The impact statement will also include an analysis of traffic, safety, and parking.
A draft was published Aug. 15, 2013.
Following the impact statement, a review will be done by the Design Commission, which will assess the street system and the impacts of the project. The Commission will provide feedback to the Department of Transportation which will then make a formal recommendation to the Seattle City Council. That review could be done by August 2015.
A final decision for a master use permit could be published by early 2016, specifically no later than March, according to the city.
The city council will have to sign off on the finalized proposal.
Murray told KING 5 he is willing to go to the city council to modify the existing Memorandum of Understanding; allowing the city’s acquisition of an NHL team to get the ball rolling on construction. The current memorandum only allows construction and public financing to begin once an NBA team is acquired.
