Seattle Port Commission Urges Delayon Arena Action

In the wake of a tentative deal that could see a sports area built in an area near the waterfront, the Port of Seattle is urging public officials to delay taking action.

 In a statement released after the Council confirmed that it had come to an agreement to support the building of an arena in the industrial SoDo area, the Port Commission first reiterated its interest in working with the city to site a new arena. But the statement went on to urge the city council to “delay action while we review the proposal carefully.”

In particular, the commission took issue with a recent revision to the plan that includes a $40 million road improvement fund. The fund, which would be covered by tax revenues, would go toward the study and prioritization of area transportation improvements.

The city has also said that additional funds might be secured from the port and federal government.

“While the Port of Seattle is a stakeholder in statewide freight mobility and transportation efficiency, building roads and bridges is not core to our mission. Before the Council approves a plan that might rely on transportation funds from the Port of Seattle, please understand that through our 2020 plan of finance, the port does not now have any uncommitted dollars for new transportation projects.”

The Commission also took issue with an appearance that possible alternative sites were not reviewed closely enough, if at all.

“The Commission places a high priority on a full review of alternative sites before you make a commitment for the project. There are references to reviews of alternative sites, but it appears the MOU remains structured around the SoDo site.”

The Seattle City Council announced Sept. 11 that it had reached a tentative agreement with developer Chris Hansen to build a $490 million basketball and hockey arena. The Metropolitan King County Council, which initially approved the deal in July, is expected to consider the revised version of the deal, which includes the transportation fund, at either its Oct. 8 or Oct. 15 meetings.

Seattle City Council Approves Arena Deal

A sports arena proposal that the Port of Seattle has repeatedly warned could have a negative effect on area maritime transportation businesses, has apparently won approval by the Seattle City Council.

On Sept. 11, the Council announced it had reached a tentative agreement with developer Chris Hansen to build a $490 million basketball and hockey arena in the city’s SoDo industrial area.

The deal, which was approved by the King County Council earlier this year, still faces a formal Council vote, which could come later this month. Increasing its chances of approval is a recent revision to the plan that includes a $40 million road improvement fund.

Container operations, railway lines and truck activity are all currently located within blocks of the proposed arena site, and multiple Port of Seattle studies have determined that traffic congestion and pressure on industrial businesses brought by a sports facility near the waterfront could squeeze out small businesses, disrupt port operations and limit the potential for port growth.

During an Aug. 7 panel discussion at the port, three experts noted several key issues that must be addressed regarding the proposed arena, including how port terminal operations are significantly impacted on game days because game traffic makes reaching terminals difficult for trucks.

Also according to the panel, congestion increases transit time and costs and makes the gateway less attractive for customers, therefore, SoDo’s well-documented traffic management issues could theoretically worsen the situation.

However, the $40 million road improvement fund, which would be covered by tax revenues, would go toward the study and prioritization of area transportation improvements. The city has also said that additional funds might be secured from the port and federal government.

The port released a statement the same day the potential deal was announced, saying it was not yet ready to endorse the plan.

“We will carefully review this proposal to ensure it addresses the traffic and environmental risks the Commission found in the initial proposal,” the port said in its statement. “Failure to adequately address those issues and fully review alternative sites could jeopardize the marine operations that support more than 30,000 jobs in our region and generate $3 billion in revenue each year and would weaken the port’s ability to create jobs and strengthen our maritime-industrial community.”