A development proposal for a new NBA arena, in the works since 2012, was dead on arrival to the Seattle City Council. The decision surprised even project opponents.
"The Seattle City Council on Monday voted 5-4 to reject giving up part of Occidental Avenue South to Chris Hansen so he can build a half-billion-dollar arena in Sodo in hopes of reviving the Sonics," reports Geoff Baker.
The vote elicited gasps from the crowd on hand at Seattle City Hall in support of the proposal. The vote makes it unlikely that the NBA will return to Seattle, according to a statement by Mayor Ed Murray.
As reported earlier, the Port of Seattle strongly opposed the proposal, though Councilmember Sally Bagshaw spearheaded the opposition on the City Council. Baker's account of the council meeting provides specific mentions of the port and the position of port workers and International Longshore and Warehouse Union, which were concerned about the prospects of gentrification in the SoDo district.
FULL STORY: Seattle City Council kills sale of street for Sodo arena; Sonics fans despair
Seattle's Preemptive Strike for an NBA Arena Up for Debate
With the prospects of an NBA team bolting for Seattle not looking great anytime in the near future, the Seattle City Council is debating a proposal that has been in the works since 2012.
Friday Funny: A Scathing Comeback to Seattle's NBA Arena Trolls
Samantha Bee has seen the misogynistic conduct of NBA fans in Seattle after the City Council decided not approve a plan to build a new NBA arena in the city's SoDo neighborhood.
Seattle NBA Arena Proposal Back From the Dead—But This Time it's Privately Funded
The mastermind behind a failed plan to build a new NBA arena in the Seattle neighborhood of Sodo has tweaked the plan and come back to the negotiating table. A big question still waiting for an answer: Will the NBA will expand to return to the city?
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie