SEATTLE: The greatest opportunity for building a successful, cost-effective Stadium and Exhibition Center, as envisioned by the state's voters last June, will be to build on the site of the existing Kingdome in Seattle's south downtown, according to the recommendation issued today by the staff of the Washington State Public Stadium Authority, the PSA.
The recommendation was presented to the PSA Board by its Executive Director, Phillip Kushlan, at the agency's regular meeting. This follows the issuance April 21, 1998, of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the project.
"The PSA staff considered everything we have learned over the past eight months, not only the technical, economic and environmental analysis of the EIS, but also information gathered from site tours of new and remodeled stadia around the nation and various convention and exhibition centers, including the Kingdome and the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle," Kushlan noted.
Kushlan continued, "It is clear to me that the South Lot alternative is the superior site for this project. This alternative is the most cost effective, takes advantage of the multiple modes of transportation that serve the area, and is consistent with city and neighborhood plans, including the possible future development of the North Lot."
The staff recommendation includes building the new Stadium on the site of the Kingdome, with
the Exhibition Center and parking garage built immediately to the south. The existing north Kingdome parking lot would continue to be used for surface parking and event staging, at least through the construction of the Stadium.
This site also is the preferred alternative of the Seahawks NFL franchise, which will play in the new facility, and First & Goal, Inc., the entity created by team owner Paul Allen to develop the stadium in partnership with the PSA.
In addition to the site recommended by the PSA staff today, the staff evaluated three other alternatives:
- "No Action," with the Kingdome retained and no NFL football in Seattle after 1999,
- The Kingdome/North, with the Exhibition Center and a garage built on the North lot, and a small garage on the south lot,
- And a 134-acre site on Orillia Road, bordered by Frager Road to the east, 204th Street to the south, and bisected by S. 200th Street in unincorporated King County.
"It was important to analyze the pros and cons of the urban and suburban sites for this project. As it turns out, the land and development costs at Orillia road are too expensive and delays in permitting are likely at that site," noted Kushlan.
In addition to considering the most cost-effective site for construction of the Stadium, the PSA staff also is charged with maximizing the success of the Exhibition Center, which according to Referendum 48, is to generate revenues for the state's common school fund.
The $400 million project will include $300 million in public funds, with the private partner, First & Goal, Inc., responsible for cost overruns. The legislation also includes a minimum of $10 million for mitigating impacts of the project.
Kushlan added that in the PSA staff's site recommendation he attempted to assemble, consider, and analyze all relevant information available, but ultimately, the PSA Board must apply its own judgment to weigh competing demands and values in evaluating and selecting a site.
The Board has called a special meeting for April 30, 1998, 12:30 PM, at the Port of Seattle Commission Chambers, Pier 69, Seattle, to consider the site selection issue.
