Local sites for the Sonics - Renton, Bellevue, Tukwilla, Auburn, Seattle

[bedir than average]

This is good for my home value.

Sonics choose Renton: Politics: The Seattle Times

Bennett told legislators last month he wants at least $300 million in taxpayer money to help pay for the new arena that could cost as much as $530 million. The request has drawn skepticism from lawmakers.

[bedir than average]

This is from the above story.

Sonics funding plan

Senate Bill 5986 would extend several taxes paying off existing sports stadiums to fund a new arena, arts groups and stadium maintenance.

Sales taxes: A .017 percent sales tax for Safeco Field debt would be extended by 17 years, to 2029, raising $150 million. A separate .016 percent sales tax for Qwest Field debt would be extended by eight years, to 2029, raising $77 million.

Restaurant tax: A 0.5 percent tax on restaurant meals and drinks for Safeco Field debt would remain until 2015, raising $75 million.

Car rental taxes: A 2 percent car-rental tax for Safeco Field debt, and another 0.75 percent car-rental tax for Kingdome debt, would be extended until 2012, raising $40 million.

Hotel/motel tax: After Qwest Field debt is paid off in 2021, a 2 percent tax on hotel- and motel-room rentals would be split between the new arena and arts groups, raising $81 million.

[Zen653]

Why would the Sonics want to move to a suburb that's 12 miles from downtown? That arrangement doesn't work in most markets (Auburn Hills notwithstanding.) I get the part about cheap land and economic development but ultimately teams draw fans by being located downtown.

Anyway, what's the likelihood of the state legislature stepping up to the plate to ensure the long-term survival of the Sonics in the Seattle area? I'd hate to see the Sonics move to Oklahoma. As I've said before, Seattle is a world class city, and as such, should have all three of the major professional sports leagues. It's not as though Seattle lacks fan support or basketball tradition. The Sonics have had more historical success than the Mariners and Seahawks.

[Timberwolf]

The politics of the situation make it easier to build in Renton than Seattle. Seattle city government is totally dysfunctional and hostile to sports. The city has a giant white elephant on it's hands called Key Arena. They weren't interested in a new site. Seattle is a narrow isthmus between Puget Sound and Lake Washington. Land is at a premium and traffic is already abysmal.

Renton is conveniently located and because of the Boeing plant there is reasonable street access to the area. One additional freeway interchange on 405 would probably solve the traffic issues. Legislators from Eastern Washington and most parts of the state would have an easier time voting for something in Renton than Seattle. Seattle isn't too popular in many parts of the state. When you observe how arrogant the mayor and city council people are , you understand why.

[Zen653]

Timber, do the citizens of Washington want the Sonics to stay in the Greater Seattle area, or are people largely apathetic towards the NBA? Is the state legislature simply going to let the Sonics leave without putting up a fight? Are they amenable to public financing? The Mariners received all kinds of public funding but maybe baseball is just more popular these days.

[bedir than average]

We have over 1Billion dollars of public money in professional stadia right now. SafeCo, Qwest, KingDome, Key Arena (the last two aren't paid off yet). The Sonics want at least 300M$ on top of that. I would say the anti-tax movement just isn't in favor of spending hundreds of millions of dollars to support a franchise that less than ten years ago received public financing.

[bedir than average]

Sabey makes bid for Sonics | TheNewsTribune.com | Tacoma, WA

Possibility that former minority owner gets back involved using land in the far south of Seattle near the Tukwilla border that would have access from the new light rail, I-5, I-405, Hwy 99 and Interurban avenue.

It seems like a great location adding money into a neighborhood that needs it. This site has excellent transit, and would have a real economic benefit. If the property is already owned (91M$), plus the team puts forward 250M$ this would only need a 200M$ to get the previous proposal done.

[bedir than average]

HorsesAss.Org» Blog Archive » Clay Bennett “out of ideas”

Language there is a little beyond FanHome's normal scope, but the analysis is spot on. Bennett hasn't tried but one idea and he's already quit. Its like he intentionally screwed it up.

[bedir than average]

Bob Santos on with Mitch, 7 June 2006

Santos is a community activist in the International District who primarily follows sports on television.

He feels that the Puget Sound shouldn't lose a sports franchise. Sports is an uplifting escape that brings communities together. It captures the competitive spirit that we have to get things done in the community. Most of our players are role models, people the kids can look up to as someone good.

He is proposing that the Muckleshoot tribe and the Sonics work together to build an arena down by Emerald Downs. He and Bill Russell arranged a meeting between the leaders of the Muckleshoot tribe and Clay Bennett.

The proposed site is 24 miles from Seattle and has relatively easy access from the Sounder Commuter trains.

At the time of the meeting Bennett still felt that the state would provide funding for a stadium down in Renton. Clay has since refused to review this proposal, not looking at the site, but claiming the "door is still open."

The proposal is that the land would be leased by the Muckleshoots to the team, a partner in ownership of the arena and that a substantial amount of money, and the state would provide some infrastructure improvements only. The Muckleshoots would then look to expand hotel, restaurant and retail in the area.

He has come public at this time to try and force Bennett to meet with the CFO of the Muckleshoot tribe.

[hr]

This sounds like a great idea. The biggest issue would be transit, but that's true for any location in this market. But the minimal investment of public funds would be a selling point to the state, that would only need to further improve 167, the 18 to I-5 leg, and the mass transit optoins.

[Zen653]

Any more updates on the stadium situation in Seattle? I'm rooting for the Sonics to stay in Seattle. I love your city.

[bedir than average]

Not really, it looks as if Bennett isn't even willing to talk to the Tribe.

[bedir than average]

sonicscentral.com - We Bleed Green and Gold » Blog Archive » 2010: A Deal is a DEAL!

A PAC "A Deal is a Deal" has been formed with the intention of creating a citizens initiative that would force the team to adhere to its lease through 2010. This PAC is formed from people who have had their trust and loyalty to the club abused by its new owners, people who once supported Bennett.

What I see is that this initiative would create a strong incentive for Bennett, et al to just sell the club as it would lose hundreds of millions of dollars if forced to spend three seasons in Seattle after anouncing the intent to move to OKcity.

[Timberwolf]

I think the political situation is very different today than it was six months ago, and we have the Gambling Referee, Tim Donaghy, to thank for that. I find it hard to believe that an embattled David Stern is going to be enthusiastic aboutstarting a blatant municipal blackmail battle with a city government. Seattle appears more than happy to invoke a lose-lose outcome by making the team play three lame duck seasons at Key Arena. Bennet will lose his shirt in that scenario. I think if somebody offered Bennet the same money he paid Schultz, he'd take the money and be back in OKC in a New York minute.

I don't blame Bennet for blowing off a Key Arena option, but refusing to look at the Emerald Downs site is just plain stupid and arrogant. I would much rather drive from Bellevue to Emerald Downs than Bellevue to Key Arena.

[bedir than average]

The recent news that he won't even discuss a several hundred million dollar renovation of the Key with a lease that lets him make money just prvoes to me that its over. At least we'll have two D-One basketball programs in the city to watch - hooray for Elgin Baylor's Seattle U.