Dori Monson hosts a debate on Chris Hansen’s Seattle arena plan

The arena deal has been a hotly contested topic by those
on both sides of the issue. Whether folks are basketball
fans that want the NBA back or those who are concerned
about the city’s fiscal involvement, the opinions on the
arena greatly differ across the board.

Dori Monson found that while the arena was a hot topic in
the news, he hadn’t been spending that much time talking
about it on his show. So he brought in radio hosts with
differing opinions to battle it out in the studio.

“The deal is great for both sides,” said Mike Salk.

When it comes to the arena, are the City of Seattle and
King County essentially giving money away to the “rich
guys” who will build it?

Dave Ross thinks that under the current arena proposal,
the investors, and ultimately the NBA are trying to
mascaraed as something that cannot sustain itself. Unlike
the opera or symphony, the NBA is a self-sustaining model.

Chris Hansen, and the investors should foot the bill,
because they can afford it, according to Dave.

But it’s not about the money, necessarily, said Brock
Huard. “Skin in the game: They want the city in and the
county involved in it.”

The plan is unique according to both Brock and Salk. While
the city and county will be investing in the arena, it’s
the the investment group who are on the hook if the arena
has money woes.

“The reason you want partners, is [for help] if something
goes south,” said Brock.

Investor Chris Hansen has proposed building the nearly
$500 million arena just south of Safeco and CenturyLink
fields. The plan calls for nearly $300 million in private
investment from Hansen’s group, which includes Microsoft
CEO Steve Ballmer. The amount of public support would be
$200 million if an NBA and NHL franchise moved here.

Hansen and his group have run into critics concerned about
taxes as Dave Ross addressed, those who would rather an
arena be located on the Eastside, and businesses worried
about potential traffic issues.

In a study paid for by the investment group, traffic was
determined not to be an issue.

Mayor McGinn has also said he is confident the city can
handle the extra crowds.

“It’s an arena. It’s not a stadium. It’s 18,000 seats.
It’s not 45 or 70 thousand seats. It’s a lot smaller. The
events are at night. People get there a bunch of different
ways and we have more transit there [SoDo] than anywhere
else in the city,” he said.

Seattle City and King County Councilmembers are currently
reviewing the proposal.

More from Mike Salk on the arena:
Don’t be fooled by arena opponents’ fancy
tricks
Combating more erroneous and insulting claims from
the anti-arena Seattle Times