SEATTLE: The Kingdome and its south parking lot will be the site for the new voter-approved Stadium and Exhibition Center, the Board of the Washington State Public Stadium Authority (PSA) decided today.
"The Kingdome/South Lot provides the greatest opportunity for building a successful, cost-effective facility, as envisioned by the state's voters last June ," said PSA Board Chair Lorraine Hine.
The seven member PSA Board, appointed by Governor Gary Locke last year, is responsible siting, designing, building and operating the Stadium and Exhibition Center for the benefit of all Washington citizens.
The Stadium Act (Referendum 48) calls for a facility suitable for professional football and soccer, and an Exhibition Center and parking. A portion of the Exhibition Center's net proceeds will go to the common school fund.
The Board's vote follows completion of a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and the recommendation by the PSA staff that the Kingdome/South Lot was the best alternative. The Kingdome/South Lot is also the preferred alternative of and First & Goal, Inc., the entity created by Paul Allen, owner of the Seahawks NFL franchise, to develop the stadium in partnership with the PSA.
The Kingdome/South Lot was chosen over other options which included the Kingdome/North Lot, a site near Kent in unincorporated King County, and a "no build" alternative that assumed professional football would not be played in Seattle.
"This facility, with an anchor tenant of professional football, is an awesome opportunity to enhance the Pioneer Square, International District and Duwamish communities," commented PSA Board Vice-Chair Fred Mendoza, a Kent resident, who made the motion to approve the Kingdome/South Lot alternative.
Board Member Benson Wong, Mercer Island, stated the Kingdome/South Lot alternative "will create a sports and exhibition complex that will become a signature for Seattle and the region." He added that the site allows the Board to fulfill its statutory responsibility to provide a successful venue for professional football and soccer, and that the EIS found that construction and operating impacts at this urban site could be mitigated.
"Proximity to shopping, the Seattle waterfront, and other ancillary facilities and attractions could result in more people staying longer in this good city, adding prosperity to the entire state," said Board Member Sue Frost, a resident of the Tri-Cities.
Board Member Jake Jundt, Yakima, added "The Kingdome/South Lot doesn't crowd the transportation hub at the King Street Station and doesn't preclude future mixed use development of the North Lot."
"This is a great day for the State of Washington," said Board Member Bob Dilger of Gig Harbor. "We have met the mandate of the voters who approved Referendum 48, and when we're finished we'll have a great facility to be really proud of."
The $400 million project will include a maximum of $300 million in public funds. The private partner, First & Goal, Inc., will contribute at least $100 million for the construction and is responsible for any cost overruns. The legislation also requires that at least $10 million be used to mitigate impacts on the surrounding neighborhoods.
The PSA Board now will oversee the design, construction and operation of the project, with ground-breaking for the Exhibition Center expected in September, 1998. This will provide a new space for consumer shows and other large events that currently use the Kingdome. After that structure and parking garage are completed on the Kingdome's south lot, the Kingdome itself will be imploded early in the year 2000, and the new Stadium erected on that site. A grand plaza entry is proposed on the north side of the new Stadium, with additional parking and event staging to the north of the facility.
