Arena Deal thread: UPDATE: DEAL PASSED AND SIGNED OFF!!!

[pinksheets]

Definitely a day to be happy. Go ahead and crack open a cold beer, let's just keep the champagne on ice for a bit longer.

 

[chris98251]

City Council has a dilemma, they took money from Bennett to pay down the maintenence costs thinking that someone would fix it up and all would be good, they never believed Hansen existed, they now have a Arena made for 1964 that is out of date old and in the center of the city that can't be easliy renovated to something else. They felt it would be able to host concerts and other events to keep revenue coming in. They bombed there as well, Casinos, Kent, and Evertt as well as the Tacoma Dome take possible engagements away from them.

The shortfalls of the Key have been preached and re preached since the Ackerly days yet the council is to short sighted and stubbourn to understand or admit them. Now they want a bail out from Hansen, I'm betting a long term bail out, not just the time it would take to build the new arena. They also want additional highway revenue to be paid into a the city coffers from the new Arenas income. Again someone to pay for the short sightedness of the Council in area development. Hansen already said he would work to improve the area around the Sodo area, I'm betting the city wants him to pay for improvements around the Key. They also want the Key to be a viable venue for other events, another bill to be paid by Hansen that had they not the long term vision to see coming.

I'm hoping that Hansen has a back up plan or an Ace up his sleeve. This amendment in full would be millions in additional contributions by the ownership proposal group.

 

[Snohomie]

I'm not arguing with you, Chris, but that's just stupid. By the council. Key Arena isn't really a good venue for anything - not a good NBA arena, a poor concert venue, not profitable even without the new arena, etc. Once the new arena is built, why keep it around? Find another use for that land or find a way for Key Arena to support itself. Hansen is going to pump money in to make the Key better in the short term, it'll have every chance to succeed (or, more likely, fail). Fund the Storm? It's small change so I don't see why not, but what a petty move.

I've heard of stronger language to protect the city vs overruns, protect the city's loan, make the team truly stuck in Seattle, etc. That stuff is reasonable, it wouldn't be right for professional negotiators to take the first offer on a huge investment. But some of these demands I'm hearing sound like they're trying to provoke Hansen into taking the deal off the table or at least going to Bellevue.

 

[chris98251]

Well I didn't add that the city wants to see all the finacials of all the investment group members as well as the business plan and what they plan to use the profits for as well how much they expect them to be etc.

I thought Hansen already provided all the information finacially that was required, I think the city wants to be considered a participating partner as one of the group. Not as a entity securing bonds that they will get paid back on plus the property and upgrades at the end of the lease.

No wonder Ackerley, Schultz and then Bennett threw there hands in the air and either sold or moved out.

 

[pinksheets]

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=422&sid=714 ... um=twitter

Debate between Salk, O'Brien, Steinbreuck, and Albro will be streaming here. Right now it looks like things are moving late and you can spy on people eating dinner.

 

[hawkcrazzed]

damn i can't get the feed to work im in canada helllllppppp

 

[Blitzer88]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4u8OBtqFl4

Thats great!

Goosebumps.........

 

[Throwdown]

So what does this mean now?!

Means we've won one battle, now the city council is the 2nd battle, the third and probably easiest battle is acquiring a team. Then we're on our way! But a lot can change between these battles so we'll have to wait and see.

 

[SeaTown81]

If yesterday's letter from the city council scared the crap out of you (and I don't blame you), read Mike Salk's article. Really level-headed analysis.

http://mynorthwest.com/422/714895/Counc ... supporters

 

[Throwdown]

If yesterday's letter from the city council scared the crap out of you (and I don't blame you), read Mike Salk's article. Really level-headed analysis.

http://mynorthwest.com/422/714895/Counc ... supporters

I still don't get it, IMO this is horrible. This has the Ports finger prints all over it.

 

[Throwdown]

Hansen is on with Brock and Salk RIGHT NOW!

But if you miss it, he'll be on with Softy afterwards

 

[SeaTown81]

Chris said today exactly what I expected of him. He is going to be reasonable in negotiations. But not going to be taken advantage of or bullied.

We need to contact the city council members and let them know that we are watching closely! That we support them negotiating for the best deal, but to not push it too far. Fair is fair. It’s fair that the SCC tries to negotiate the best deal they can get, and for their members to spin it as a political win for them. But it’s also fair that they are reasonable in negotiations and do this the right way.

 

[SeaTown81]

http://www.sonicsarena.com/news/thank-you

After the County vote I hopped on the ferry back home, grabbed a Corona, stretched my legs out, sat on the deck with the sun on my face, and took a quiet, peaceful moment to reflect on the day. This was a very big step, and I just hope all of our supporters appreciate that. There is a long way to go, and I am in no way trying to imply that this is a done deal yet... just that the struggle for things you hold dear is what life is really about. All the letters you wrote and the heartfelt testimony you provided was heard. And it mattered. You should all take a deep breath, smile and appreciate the significance of this day.

— Chris Hansen

 

[pinksheets]

SeaTown how was the atmosphere of the debate? The awful audio quality didn't give much but a few jeers towards Steinbreuck. I wasn't impressed with the "moderators" personally, felt they pretty much only asked the opposition to react to supposed problems with the project and asked the pro-arena representatives to react to supposed problems with the project. There was also something very humorous about declaring this an "adult discussion" while also taking timeouts to hold Ichiro bobblehead trivia contests.

 

[SeaTown81]

Last night was a ton of fun. I sat with the guys from SonicsGate. If you watched the debate online, you likely heard us yelling a time or two. The atmosphere was cool. It was mostly pro-arena. Max Vekich and his wife were sitting up front and being loud and obnoxious. But other than them and a couple other Port people, it was mostly supportive. Cheers for Mike Salk ripping Tom Albro and Peter Steinbrueck. At times raucous jeers for Steinbrueck.

Mike Salk was on FIRE. Love that dude. He absolutely killed Albro and Steinbrueck on separate occasions. Steinbrueck was exactly what he is, a sniveling weasel playing his baseless fear-mongering game. Going off about how the deal was made in secret (which did nothing but set up Salk to call him out for his relationship with the Port and hidden discussions that took place prior. Albro was the politician he is, looking out for his company’s interests. Said a bunch of whatever. And Mike O’Brien really was great. Super cool, very smart. Played the role of peacemaker as opposed to Salk’s rabid bulldog. All in all, a good conversation, IMO. It once again hammered home the fact that the Port does nothing but repeat it's rhetoric and try to scare everyone. Salk and O'Brien were CLEARLY the two smartest guys on that panel, and it showed.

They took written questions from the audience. Was disappointed they only asked a couple. But got mine chosen. Brought up the fact that the Port gets about $75 million a year in public subsidy from property taxes, so why can’t the Port team with the city and Hansen on the needed infrastructure improvements. He went on to give a very political answer about how the Port already does that and looks out for the environment, blah blah. Mainly, I just wanted it reiterated that the Port gets public money, and them crying with their hand out constantly is disingenuous.

As for the moderators. I was split. I don't know their names. But I thought the guy did a fairly decent job being even-handed. The girl, Erica, I think, she was exactly what you said, Pink. Set up the Port to make their tired old claims, and put the hard questions on the pro guys. She said something ridiculous at one point about will people with strollers want to walk a mile to the arena. In actuality her stupid questions only set up Salk and O'Brien that much better. Like I said before, they were both on point. Felt really good about how they came off as opposed to Steinbrueck and Albro.

They’ll be posting the audio later. I suggest listening if you didn’t watch last night. It was a hoot.

 

[Blitzer88]

Last night was a ton of fun. I sat with the guys from SonicsGate. If you watched the debate online, you likely heard us yelling a time or two. The atmosphere was cool. It was mostly pro-arena. Max Vekich and his wife were sitting up front and being loud and obnoxious. But other than them and a couple other Port people, it was mostly supportive. Cheers for Mike Salk ripping Tom Albro and Peter Steinbrueck. At times raucous jeers for Steinbrueck.

Mike Salk was on FIRE. Love that dude. He absolutely killed Albro and Steinbrueck on separate occasions. Steinbrueck was exactly what he is, a sniveling weasel playing his baseless fear-mongering game. Going off about how the deal was made in secret (which did nothing but set up Salk to call him out for his relationship with the Port and hidden discussions that took place prior. Albro was the politician he is, looking out for his company’s interests. Said a bunch of whatever. And Mike O’Brien really was great. Super cool, very smart. Played the role of peacemaker as opposed to Salk’s rabid bulldog. All in all, a good conversation, IMO. It once again hammered home the fact that the Port does nothing but repeat it's rhetoric and try to scare everyone. Salk and O'Brien were CLEARLY the two smartest guys on that panel, and it showed.

They took written questions from the audience. Was disappointed they only asked a couple. But got mine chosen. Brought up the fact that the Port gets about $75 million a year in public subsidy from property taxes, so why can’t the Port team with the city and Hansen on the needed infrastructure improvements. He went on to give a very political answer about how the Port already does that and looks out for the environment, blah blah. Mainly, I just wanted it reiterated that the Port gets public money, and them crying with their hand out constantly is disingenuous.

As for the moderators. I was split. I don't know their names. But I thought the guy did a fairly decent job being even-handed. The girl, Erica, I think, she was exactly what you said, Pink. Set up the Port to make their tired old claims, and put the hard questions on the pro guys. She said something ridiculous at one point about will people with strollers want to walk a mile to the arena. In actuality her stupid questions only set up Salk and O'Brien that much better. Like I said before, they were both on point. Felt really good about how they came off as opposed to Steinbrueck and Albro.

They’ll be posting the audio later. I suggest listening if you didn’t watch last night. It was a hoot.

Thanks for the insight Seatown, you have really helped me through this process by breaking down all the happenings, it is greatly appreciated!

 

[SeaTown81]

No problem. My pleasure.

One thing I wanted to add to my comments above regarding the Publicola debate. Mike Salk said it on the radio today and I totally agree with him. Mike O’Brien was really impressive. He’s clearly a smart guy and understands all the complicated aspects of the deal, while also is able to explain them to people who don’t or are trying to sensationalize the facts. While Salk played the role of rabid bulldog, O’Brien was the peacemaker explaining the merit’s of the deal, along with the fact the city council is trying to make it a win-win. He was very cool and collected.

Which leads me to my point. When I first saw O’Brien’s name on the letter yesterday, I was bothered. He has been supportive up to this point. So why jump in on the big mean letter? O’Brien spoke with Sally Clark and Tim Burgess at the press conference yesterday regarding the letter. That to me was key in believing Clark and Burgess when they say they are trying to work towards a yes. O’Brien clearly is supportive on this. I just think he understands the reality of the situation. He’s doing everything he can to make sure his fellow council members do not follow Richard Conlin off to the dark side. By participating in the letter and working along side Burgess and Clark, he’s doing a lot to help the negotiations run smoothly and hopefully fairly, IMO. That’s the vibe I’m getting after hearing O’Brien speak at the debate last night. Sure hope I’m right. Because if Sally Clark and Tim Burgess are telling us the truth that they want to make this happen and are willing to be fair, I see absolutely no way this can’t and won’t pass.

 

[Lieutenant Dan]

If passed, how long do you guys think it would take to construct the arena, ready for play?

Would it be using the Safeco garage for parking, or would another parking facility for the arena need to be built? Not sure how much real estate is involved is why I'm asking...

Hope this gets done!!! :th2thumbs:

 

[Shaz]

SeaTown you are definitely an extremely needed breath of fresh air and great source during all this

Thank you

 

[SeaTown81]

If passed, how long do you guys think it would take to construct the arena, ready for play?

Would it be using the Safeco garage for parking, or would another parking facility for the arena need to be built? Not sure how much real estate is involved is why I'm asking...

Hope this gets done!!! :th2thumbs:

It will take a couple years to build. Conventional wisdom is they'd have to play at Key Arena for a couple seasons. Not sure about how parking is going to work. Hansen's land is going to involve more than just an arena. Details not exactly known yet.