Chris Hansen, Wally Walker confident SoDo is best for NBA, NHL arena

It may be true that with the land that investor Chris Hansen is acquiring in Seattle’s SoDo neighborhood, he could probably make more money than with an arena.

Related: Tim Leiweke says ‘This is not a competition’

But he assures KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson, it’s not all about that.

“We’re really doing this for civic reasons and to get basketball back here,” Hansen said.

“So are you telling me this is an altruistic venture, on your part?” Dori asked.

“Um, absolutely,” Hansen replied.

Years into the process, Hansen maintains SoDo is the best location for an arena. Even if you can house the NBA and NHL — with a KeyArena makeover — former NBA player and Sonics GM Wally Walker said they believe there will be parking and traffic issues.

“We think maybe the City is solving for a problem other than trying to attract the NBA and NHL here,” Walker said. “And if that’s the problem you’re trying to solve for, SoDo is by far the best site.”

Hansen and his group, which includes Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, met with Seattle council members this week to talk with them about changes to their proposal. Hansen said the big one is canceling the public financing element. He said they’ve also contributed finances to help improve traffic issues. They also tried to clear up any confusion about the proposed vacation of Occidental Avenue.

“We’re not even trying to get the street vacated in advance of getting a team or building an arena,” Hansen said. “Our point is we’re not trying to vacate a street until we’re ready to build an arena.”

Of course, he’ll need a team, too.

Hansen says the chances are close to 100 percent for getting a NBA team back to Seattle — in the next 15-20 years.

Follow @http://twitter.com/Mynorthwest