The Seattle Department of Planning and Development (DPD) has issued a Notice of Determination of Significance for a potential SODO basketball and hockey arena, as part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process. The decision can be viewed here.
The City Council voted 6-2 to approve the arena agreement with arena proponent Chris Hansen on September 24 (I voted no). Because Seattle and King County approved separate versions, a subsequent vote in mid- October was needed to harmonize the versions.
The Council amended the original agreement proposed by the Mayor and County Executive to include analysis of a Seattle Center site in the EIS, as noted in the DPD notice. The agreement anticipated an EIS, and this notice marks the next step in the process.
Two public meetings are scheduled about environmental impacts, for members of the public to provide their perspective on which issues should be addressed in the EIS.
The public meetings are scheduled for November 8 at 6 p.m. in the Bertha Knight Landes Room in Seattle City Hall at 600 4th Avenue (enter on 5th Avenue), and on November 14 at 6 p.m. in the Fidalgo Room at the Northwest Rooms, at Seattle Center.
