An independent analysis on the impact on jobs, one of the most hotly debated issues surrounding Chris Hansen’s basketball/hockey arena proposal, is being called for by King County Council member Bob Ferguson.
After disclosing the idea informally Tuesday night at a town hall meeting, Ferguson said in a press release Wednesday that he wants to amend the memorandum of understanding among county, city and Chris Hansen to include the study, but to be done after the MOU gets approved — if it does.
The development of an NBA and NHL arena has the potential to impact important segments of our economy, including construction, tourism and maritime industries, said Ferguson. We must take an independent look to evaluate the impact — positive and negative — on the regions economy.
“While I am still considering my position on the proposed arena, if the MOU is approved, this type of economic analysis is essential to truly understand the economic costs and benefits of the project before the final commitment of public funds is made.”
The study is not expected to delay votes by the councils next month on the $490 million project, which includes $290 million from private investors and $200 million from city and council bonds repaid by rents and tax revenues generated by the arena. The analysis will also look at the project’s impact on the regional economy as well as on women- and minority-owned business.
Statements have been made on both sides of this issue about how the proposed arena will affect jobs and economic growth in our region, said Ferguson. We need an independent analysis to sort out the competing claims and give the public full information before public funds are committed.
2 Comments
Seems to me if they’re simply looking at how it impacts jobs and tourism then initially the Key Arena is much better than SODO. All there is in the proposed area are the stadiums and they’ll be in conflict with each other whereas there’s multiple venues and businesses near the Key as well as Seattle Center which is the most visited area in the NW annually but has been in the red since the NBA left. (thank you David Stern)
I suppose it could be said that were an NBA/NHL arena built it could bring in new life to the SODO area but if Safeco Field and Century Link Field have barely impacted the area’s there I don’t see how another sport venue will change things, especially when in the US that both the NFL and MLB are the two biggest sports.
Seems to me if they’re simply looking at how it impacts jobs and tourism then initially the Key Arena is much better than SODO. All there is in the proposed area are the stadiums and they’ll be in conflict with each other whereas there’s multiple venues and businesses near the Key as well as Seattle Center which is the most visited area in the NW annually but has been in the red since the NBA left. (thank you David Stern)
I suppose it could be said that were an NBA/NHL arena built it could bring in new life to the SODO area but if Safeco Field and Century Link Field have barely impacted the area’s there I don’t see how another sport venue will change things, especially when in the US that both the NFL and MLB are the two biggest sports.