The Sonics Arena team have released a new video on their (revamped) website, detailing some aspects of their proposal. The 5:35 video is narrated by Mark Brands, co-founder of SiteWorkshop, the landscape architect for the project. He lays out the history of the arena’s permitting process, detailing their approval from the Downtown Design Review Board as well as the Seattle Design Commission.
The video goes on to say that their new proposal addresses the concerns that they heard from the Seattle City Council when it denied their street vacation proposal a year ago. As expected, they announced that the arena would now be 100% privately funded. There were no details as to what their funding mechanism would be, but we do know that Steve Ballmer is still invested in the real estate project.
The video also says that the arena would have a capacity of 20,000 seats. Previous indications were a capacity of 18,500 for basketball and 17,500 for hockey, with flex seating in the “Sonic Rings” for an additional 2,000. It’s unclear from the video what, exactly, the 20,000 capacity is for or if that’s just the maximum. It also compares this to Safeco Field (47,000) and CenturyLink Field (72,000).
The video goes on to say that the reason Sodo was selected as the arena site was due largely to the transportation options already available. This includes light rail, heavy rail, freeways, and even ferries. They also address parking, saying there is “substantial on-street and off-street” parking in the area.
They detail the street vacation, saying that the group would be buying 40,000 square feet of land (meaning the one block of Occidental Avenue proposed to be vacated) at appraised market value. They also reiterate that the vacation would not occur until a team, be it NBA or NHL, is secured. “No team means no vacation, which means no risk to the city.” They also quote the recent transit study, as well as the FEIS, which says that the stretch of road is not vital to Sodo freight movement. The video goes on to discuss the Lander Street Bridge, pointing out that it would create a dead end of Occidental Avenue just south of the arena.
There is also mention of the joint scheduling agreement with the Mariners, Seahawks, and Sounders. The agreement is laid out, saying that it would drastically reduce the possibilities of more than one event on the same day, optimizing traffic and transportation to the area.
As for what would happen to the area if the street vacation is once again denied, the video says that the developers would look to build office buildings, which the area is already zoned for. These buildings would create conflict with the freight community, as their hours of operation would be similar to those of the Port of Seattle, whereas an arena would not operate outside of nights and weekends.
Additionally, they reiterate that their public benefits package includes nearly 32,000 square feet of public space, similar in size and scale to Occidental Park and Westlake Park. This space was designed with the community in mind, encouraging year round uses and featuring public art and water features. Speaking of public art, the public benefits package also includes 1.5% of the total construction budget, or nearly $8 million, of funding those projects.
The final point is on transportation improvements, including the realignment and widening of Massachusetts Street, a “makeover” of South Holgate Street including an 800 foot long pedestrian and bike bridge, and the funding of several projects from the Freight Master Plan by the arena group “to further support freight mobility in the Sodo neighborhood.”
The next step is a second vote on the street vacation vote, currently tentatively scheduled for some time in September. The Sodo group believes a positive vote this time around puts them in the best position to bring the NBA and NHL back to Seattle.
Comments
Keep in coming Chris, get the PR running and keep it constant
By Jeff - j1012 on 05.04.17 11:47am
Go Arena Co.!
THUNK
Thanks, Chris Hansen
By cortone on 05.04.17 11:53am
Still prefer the SoDo site, but I'd like to see Arena Co partner up with a prospective NHL owner, IE Ray Bartosek and a competitive developer like Spectra, formerly known as Global Spectrum.
By Lando68 on 05.04.17 12:31pm
Yeah
I mean we all love Chris for what he’s done, but the inability to lock down an NHL partner is a reddish flag to me
By ColmCanada on 05.04.17 2:41pm
Wally Walker said......
Until recently no substantial negotiations have taken place between Arena co & a potential NHL investor. I don’t blame Hansen for the NHL investor to put in substantial capital towards the arena. It will be interesting to see who Chris Hansen can lock down for a prospective NHL owner/partner.
By WoodLandSonic40316 on 05.04.17 2:44pm
I think it's going to take some concessions
on Arena Co’s part in terms of the revenue split as it relates to the amount of equity an NHL investor puts into the arena. It seems like any potential NHL owner will want a favorable split without investing that much in the arena. Hopefully Arena Co is willing to do that at this point.
By itsanospreybich on 05.04.17 3:07pm
I like how they specify
That commercial/office space will go up if not approved. That will certainly cause more traffic issues. If they have to start issuing some threats to get people to listen, then I am all for it.
By Barely Able on 05.04.17 12:33pm
don't expect any traffic enhancements
By Jeff - j1012 on 05.04.17 12:37pm
No, I'd say they have no reason to contribute all of the other benefits if the Port doesn't change its approach
No Lander Street, no open space, no pedestrian walkways, no funding for the arts, etc. Lots more daytime traffic though.
But the Port would get to keep their Occidental Alley, so I guess it's a wash.
By cortone on 05.04.17 12:51pm
Hmm, I worry it will backfire
By Matt Tucker on 05.04.17 1:19pm
How can it? The game was rigged against him a long time ago.
By Trolltossin on 05.04.17 2:00pm
I don't see any new information
This is basically a video of their last blog post, which is from February: http://www.sonicsarena.com/2017/02/to-the-sonics-faithful/
By Taylor Bartle on 05.04.17 12:42pm
just a nice PR move
show the bullets points, keep it simple, show pretty images and make it easy to make to share via social media
By Jeff - j1012 on 05.04.17 12:51pm
Better than continued silence
Frankly, I don’t see how they could sweeten the deal more than this short of having a team in hand.
By flyingchickensinthebarnyard on 05.04.17 12:55pm
Sure
I was just hoping for something new.
By Taylor Bartle on 05.04.17 1:03pm
The next thing I would like to hear.....
Is that they have come to an agreement with a hockey investor to assist working with the NHL.
By WoodLandSonic40316 on 05.04.17 1:08pm
outsider here
my fear with the SoDo site (and hockey in Seattle in general) is that finding an NHL investor(s) actually willing (not just say they are willing) to pony up $500M for an NHL expansion team is going to be a tall, tall task. Don’t get me wrong I love hockey, and would love to see a team in Seattle, but that’s a lot of f’in money. Sure, Foley paid it (and Quebecor was willing) but is anybody else?
Still think the ideal situation for the NHL to come to Seattle is for Hansen to get the street vacation approved, have a local group get the Coyotes and then have them play at Key while SoDo gets built.
By Todd Little on 05.05.17 6:07am
In my mind, that is quite do-able, the question is if Arizona or Carolina ownership ready to trigger this sale or move
for balance sake, Carolina should be the target… that would allow QC to slip into the 32nd spot.
By Jeff - j1012 on 05.05.17 6:29am
So you rate Sodo above the Seattle Center options because of the relocation possibility?
I see the same tall hurdle for the other two options, but without the possibility of a relocation because there is no site available during renovation at the Seattle Center.
Hockey could be in Seattle soon if the street vacation is approved and an NHL investor is secured. I don’t see how a team could come before 2021 in the best case scenario at the Center. At that point it’s expansion only, although the NHL seems to be ready to pounce on that option. But maybe not an investor?
By cortone on 05.05.17 7:04am
I like the relocation option as well provided
that the owner of a relocated team becomes a SODO partner and pays for jump starting construction on SODO Arena, which Hansen will absolutely require.
Other than that, I believe there are potential owners that would pony up the 500M for expansion, but would rather do it for one of the Key rebuilding options: That allows more reserves for the expansion fee and a much easier out of either the market or team ownership if the NHL does not pencil out at a new Key Arena.
By NWEastcoaster on 05.05.17 7:05am
"Not penciling out" is one of my big concerns with the Seattle Center options
This is the last reno at that site, beyond facade work and interior buff jobs. Teams will be leaving it at some point in the future. 15 years?
By cortone on 05.05.17 7:09am
Penciling out is my concern as well regarding a redeveloped Key
The building options, I suspect, are perceived in Financial terms for prospective owners
SODO=high risk/high reward—-More start up costs, e.g., expansion fee and construction costs, but more control over arena revenue and potential revenue from SODO ancillary development—office space, bars, restaurants, hotels—-e.g., new Braves ballpark.
Key Arena=low risk/low reward—-Expansion fee w/o construction costs, yet lower revenue stream for team due to inadequate revenue splits and lack of ancillary real estate development opportunity in a primarily residential neighborhood.
If a team goes Key and finds the revenue streams lacking, will we hear the bellowing from the commissioners office for a new arena?
By NWEastcoaster on 05.05.17 7:17am
Yes, loud bellowing
By cortone on 05.05.17 7:50am
streams
yes, I wonder if an NHL team can survive if either of the Key options win out. Don’t see anyone cutting a $500M check to play at a renovated Key. As far as a relocated team at the Key goes, with the construction time frame I feel like the opportunity will pass by the time the building is ready.
By Todd Little on 05.05.17 9:11am
then maybe Bettman should give prospective owners Chris Hansen's telephone number
IMHO, I think Bettman has had a lot to do with the OVG and AES bids
By Jeff - j1012 on 05.05.17 9:17am