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"King County Executive Dow Constantine has asked the County Council for $190 million in public funds for the next two decades to help the owners pay for maintenance and capital projects to spiff up the Mariners’ stadium so that it remains a first class facility," according to an article by Nick Lacata.
Lacata is obviously critical of the county's inclination to support its Major league Baseball franchise when there are so many other critical needs. He compares the Mariners to pigs at a trough.
In another column, Danny Westneat is also critical of the proposal.
For news reporting on the story, see an article by Geoff Baker. In that article, Baker explains the sources Constantine intends to tap to support the Mariners. Funding "would come from a 'hotel-motel' lodging tax that previously helped pay for construction of the Kingdome. It currently is paying off debt for the construction of CenturyLink Field, where the Seahawks and Sounders play their games. The CenturyLink Field debt is scheduled to be paid off by 2020."
The council will vote on the proposal this coming fall.
FULL STORY: King County's $190 Million Proposal to Safeco Field: Déjà Vu All Over Again
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