January 12, 2017

City wants proposals for KeyArena

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Proposers must also include a renovation option in case the 56-year-old arena is named a landmark.

The city of Seattle has released a request for proposals to redevelop KeyArena.

“The RFP asks interested responders to develop a proposal that creates a premier entertainment venue for our city and region,” said Brian K. Surratt, director of the Seattle Office of Economic Development, in a news release. “The RFP was developed with input from 10 city departments in consultation with constituencies from throughout Seattle.”

Proposals are due April 12 for what the city describes as a civic and entertainment venue that meets NBA and NHL standards.

Backers of the selected proposal will be responsible for funding construction and operations. Also, the city would collect rent.

The RFP states that the arena could be knocked down and replaced with a new venue, but proposers must also include a renovation option if they are seeking a new building.

The renovation option is needed in case the 56-year-old arena is named a historic landmark. A 2013 study for Seattle Center indicated that KeyArena meets criteria for that designation.

Seattle Center Director Robert Nellams in a conference call yesterday said he believes the landmark process will go forward.

Nellams said KeyArena in 1995 went through an extensive renovation that only retained the massive buttresses.

The city will consider projects that extend outside of KeyArena's footprint, but buildings north of KeyArena are not included, including those occupied by KEXP, Vera Project and SIFF Film Center.

Inside the footprint are West Court Building, NASA Building, Restroom Pavilion, Seattle Center Pavilion, Blue Spruce Building, Pottery Northwest/Park Place and a parking garage on First Avenue North.

Two development companies have expressed interest in the project. The city said it won't name them because it doesn't want to discourage anyone from proposing, however Mayor Ed Murray last fall indicated they are The Oak View Group and AEG.

The Seattle Times has reported that Oak View includes sports executive Tim Leiweke.

Brian Surratt, director of the Office of Economic Development, said the office has not received any formal proposals yet, but the mayor will see the recommended proposals by late June.

The city estimates redevelopment could take five years, with about two of those years for construction.

This project is competing with investor Chris Hansen's plan for an arena near CenturyLink and Safeco fields. The city, King County and Hansen's ArenaCo. have a memorandum of understanding for the Sodo project that is valid until Dec. 3.

The city said it supports ArenaCo.'s effort to attract NBA and NHL teams to Seattle, but must consider KeyArena's potential should the Sodo project not move forward.

The city said KeyArena had more than 500,000 visitors last year and hosted about 100 events. Nellams estimated that after being redeveloped the arena could attract another 80-100 events annually.

More information is at www.seattle.gov/arena.