Project History

1996
Paul Allen obtained an option to purchase the Seattle Seahawks and formed the company Football Northwest. After examining options to make the Seahawks financially stable, Football Northwest began working with advocates to build a new, open-air stadium with an exhibition center and parking garage.


1997
Washington voters approve Referendum 48, authorizing use of public funds to build a new stadium and exhibition center. The referendum created the PSA to represent the public in owning the new facility and overseeing its development. The PSA negotiated with First & Goal Inc. (FGI), an entity created by Football Northwest to represent the interests of the Seahawks, to serve as the private partner as required by the referendum.


1998
The PSA Board selected the Kingdome as the location for the new stadium and exhibition center and approved a $430-million budget for the project. The public provided $300 million, and FGI contributed $130 million to the project. The PSA and FGI signed a 30-year lease for the facility, and FGI accepted responsibility to develop and operate the stadium and exhibition center. Turner Construction Company was selected as the general contractor and began construction of the exhibition center and parking garage. Paul Allen also donated $10 million to the state for youth and community athletic facilities, satisfying one of the requirements of Referendum 48. Youth Athletic Facilities Grant Information


1999
The exhibition center and parking garage were completed on-time and on-budget. The PSA Board granted final approval to the stadium's design, and 12 artists were selected to provide original works for the facility. (Artists) The South Downtown Foundation was established to implement mitigation projects and provide neighborhood grants.

2000
The Kingdome was imploded and construction of the new stadium began. Ninety-seven percent of the Kingdome rubble was recycled, with 35 percent used as fill for the new stadium.


2001
Construction continued at a rapid pace. FieldTurf was selected as the surface for the stadium to provide greater scheduling flexibility for the facility. FGI agreed to install and pay for temporary natural grass to allow the stadium to host major soccer events.


2002
The stadium was completed on budget and ahead of schedule. The Seattle Sounders Select women's soccer team played the first sporting event ever held at the Stadium. Washington State University played the first regular season college football game in the Stadium, which also served as home to the Seattle Bowl. The Seahawks hosted the Arizona Cardinals in the first regular season NFL game at the new stadium.

2004
Stadium and Exhibition Center were renamed Qwest Field & Event Center with the sale of naming rights in June 2004.