Key Arena, Sodo at Center of Debate in Seattle

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Key Arena, Sodo at Center of Debate in Seattle

By Zach Spedden on October 31, 2016

Seattle has two arena proposals to consider, but commitments from the NBA or NHL loom large in deciding whether to renovate Key Arena or build a new venue.

In its ongoing pursuit to attract an NBA and/or NHL franchise, Seattle has two options to consider. Developer Chris Hansen has come forward with an offer to privately finance an arena in Sodo, the section of Seattle that he has previously pitched for a venue. Hansen has continued to buy properties in the area, despite the fact that the Seattle City Council rejected a proposal for that site in May, largely because of traffic concerns caused by the closure of Occidential Avenue South.

Meanwhile, Seattle mayor Ed Murray has suggested floating an RFP for renovations to Key Arena, the former home of the Seattle Supersonics. Two major groups–AEG and Oak View Group–are already expressing an interest in the project, which would overhaul an arena with significant historical value but that leaves much to be desired for major sports leagues.

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Meanwhile, there are signs that the NHL has concerns over whether Seattle is ready to embrace hockey. Previous plans have called for Victor Coleman, the head of Hudson Pacific Properties, to own the team in an arena developed by Hansen. Sports executive Tim Leiweke has offered a similar proposal for Key Arena. Having just added Las Vegas as its 31st team, the NHL remains interested in Seattle, but is questioning how to make the numbers work. More from the Las Vegas Review-Journal: