成人X站

MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Previous argument against Seattle arena now a moot point

Oct 27, 2016, 5:38 AM | Updated: 10:55 am

arena, Seattle arena...

Citing traffic concerns as a reason for not building a new Seattle arena in SoDo isn't as strong an argument as it once was. (SDOT)

(SDOT)

The Seattle City Council’s support of the Port of Seattle, rather than an unknown future that comes with a new sports arena, is a big reason investor Chris Hansen was unable to move forward with developing a block of the SoDo district. One of the arguments was that port traffic, and traffic in general, already struggles to get through the area thanks, in large part, to the railways.

Danny O’Neil:

One of the focuses has been , which is broken up by tracks used by Amtrak and Sounder train services, as well as BNSF. Approximately 100 train crossings occur on Lander and surrounding streets each day, according to the city. As a result, the city says Lander is closed for nearly five hours a day — an average of 4.5 hours a day.

A time-lapse video from the Seattle Department of Transportation shows just how frustrating it can be to drive along the busy roadway.

YouTube video

The city’s answer to the railway nightmare is a bridge over the tracks between 1st Avenue South and 4th Avenue South on Lander. That would keep the train traffic from impeding the estimated 11,000 — or more — vehicles that currently cross the tracks every day.

The problem has been, of course, money. The total cost to build an overpass is an estimated $140 million. However, the Move Seattle property-tax levy approved last fall included about $20 million for the project that had already received funding. A $45 million federal government grant put the city even closer. As of July, the city had about $100 million available. reported Wednesday that the project has an approximate $27 million funding gap.

The city that the project is moving forward and construction is expected to begin in early 2018 and should be complete by early 2020.

Related: Chris Hansen offers to forego public financing for Seattle arena

Hansen and his investment team said they would pitch in for the Lander overpass as well. In return, arena backers want the Seattle City Council to approve the Occidental Street vacation, which was previously recommended by the Seattle Design Commission. Hansen and his team also want a waiver of the city’s admissions tax and an adjustment on the city’s business tax rate on out-of-town revenue, 成人X站 7 reports.

On top of that, Hansen announced a plan Wednesday that would forgo public financing for the arena.

City Council Budget Committee Chair Tim Burgess says that is game-changing.

鈥淭here was a lot of public money involved and he didn’t get the street vacation the first time around for a whole variety of reasons and I think this removes one of the potential hurdles to that,鈥 he told 成人X站 7.

But with a street vacation still required for Occidental and concern over a general increase in traffic if another arena is built, a Lander overpass isn’t enough for some critics. This is what Port Commissioner John Creighton told 成人X站 7:

“One thing we’re very excited about is — we’ve always said we want the Sonics back in Seattle,” he said. “And we’ve said that we stand ready to work with the city and the county on alternative sites for a basketball arena.”

The port, a major maritime union, and the Mariners have opposed the SoDo arena plan, citing traffic concerns.

Creighton said Hansen’s offer to end his Memorandum of Understanding with the city and county “gives everyone an opportunity to hit the refresh button” to look at alternative sites.

But Creighton isn’t the person Hansen needs to convince. It’s the nine-member he has his eyes on.

MyNorthwest News

Ravenna Varsity Seattle close...

Jason Sutich

Seattle鈥檚 Ravenna Varsity restaurant closing after decades of service

Ravenna's Varsity restaurant in North Seattle will permanently close on Aug. 3 after 62 years of service, Vanishing Seattle confirmed.

6 minutes ago

snap benefits...

MyNorthwest Staff

Washington joins 21-state SNAP data lawsuit against USDA

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown has joined 20 other states in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

37 minutes ago

Northgate rollover crash...

MyNorthwest Staff

Busy intersection in Northgate back open after rollover crash

An intersection in Northgate is back open after a rollover crash.

2 hours ago

Washington hospital lawsuit sexual abuse...

MyNorthwest Staff

2 lawsuits filed against WA hospitals over sexual misconduct by physician

A series of lawsuits have been filed against Providence Health & Services, Kadlec Regional Medical Center, accusing the institutions of failing to protect patients from sexual abuse by former Dr. Mark Mulholland.

3 hours ago

Rainier Valley construction fire...

Jason Sutich

Rainier Valley fire that destroyed building under construction confirmed as arson

A fire destroyed a building under construction in Seattle's Rainier Valley neighborhood on Wednesday, the Seattle Fire Department confirmed.

4 hours ago

tsunami alaska airlines delays...

MyNorthwest Staff

Tsunami advisory triggers Alaska Airlines departure pause, rebooking

Alaska Airlines has issued a travel advisory after a tsunami watch for the Washington coast was upgraded to a tsunami advisory late Tuesday night.

4 hours ago

Previous argument against Seattle arena now a moot point