Seattle area: NBA/NHL arena

[Under The Clouds]

I think a state of the art NBA/NHL arena would be great, but I don't have any interest in voting for public money to be spent on it. If a new arena does get built, I hope it's built in a well-connected node, such as downtown Bellevue or SODO. One of the problems with Key Arena is that, being on First Avenue North and sandwiched between a residential/commercial neighborhood and the Seattle Center campus, it can be a challenge for people outside the area to get to. Bus service, for example, is limited to local trolleys (1, 2, 13) and routes to Ballard. There's no link between other centers in the region, and it's far from I-5. Contrast that with SODO, which has both direct regional rail access and easy freeway access.

I think Downtown Bellevue, once East Link is operating, would be the ideal location for a new arena, with SODO being second.

[Somnifor]

Originally Posted by M'sFan

I think charging anyone $2,500 to do their job in a city borders on criminal. I am all for trying to find a way to pay for a new arena.

If you were a minor league hockey player called up to play a couple of games in the NHL you would do everything you could to avoid playing in a city with this sort of tax. The NHL minimum salary is around $6,400 per game so if you only played two or three games and they were all in Seattle it would be a pretty significant hit.

[LCIII]

God I hope it doesn't end up in Bellevue...

[AzChristopher]

Originally Posted by Somnifor

If you were a minor league hockey player called up to play a couple of games in the NHL you would do everything you could to avoid playing in a city with this sort of tax. The NHL minimum salary is around $6,400 per game so if you only played two or three games and they were all in Seattle it would be a pretty significant hit.

It would still be way more than what they made playing minor league hockey and way more than the average person makes in a day of work.

[AzChristopher]

Originally Posted by LCIII

God I hope it doesn't end up in Bellevue...

Sadly Seattle was the city that just let them go. Had they held on for 2 years things might have been different. So Bellevue, Seattle, Kent, Everett, Tacoma... don't care. Just build something to attract the NHL and if we feel like getting over grudges, the NBA.

[meaoh]

Originally Posted by LCIII

I never thought about Seattle hosting a national political convention but I guess it would be cool. It would obviously have to be a Democratic convention but still it would be good for the hospitality sector for the week of the event.

You know, I was just trying to contribute to the conversation by telling about my experiences. I don't know why you feel the need to attack me. Yes, there are facts that show why Seattle is and should be a first-class city, but there are opinions that say otherwise. I'm telling you what those opinions are from some people who don't live here that I've personally met.

And now I'm done. I just came here to find out more about what's going on in my new, awesome city, and to try to join in on the fun. Not to get into a battle with someone I don't know who feels the need to attack me, because my opinions are different.

[meaoh]

Originally Posted by LCIII

Yah if you want to igore facts then yes I guess so...

I meant to quote this, not the political convention statement.

[SteveM]

As usual, mhays is right on: Seattle is better known that you'd expect based on size alone, but we're also isolated and not even in the top 10 cities in terms of size, so it's not surprising that Ohioans wouldn't know a ton about us. I have no clue which Fortune 500 companies are based in Cincinnati, what the music or art or theater scene is in Cincinnati, or anything much else about it. I know it's a big enough city that there's probably something going on that I don't know about, though.

Sports can add to a city's profile, but it's more an issue for cities on the verge -- either trying to move into the big leagues or trying not to fall out of the big leagues. It's important for an Oklahoma City or Buffalo or whatever.

But still: Given that Oklahoma City and Buffalo have sports teams, what else do you know about them? Are they (and we) better off spending their money to keep those sports teams or to develop manufacturing jobs, say? I don't know the answer for sure, but I do know that I don't trust economic impact studies commissioned by sports franchises.

[mhays]

Thanks!

[LCIII]

Originally Posted by meaoh

You know, I was just trying to contribute to the conversation by telling about my experiences. I don't know why you feel the need to attack me. Yes, there are facts that show why Seattle is and should be a first-class city, but there are opinions that say otherwise. I'm telling you what those opinions are from some people who don't live here that I've personally met.

And now I'm done. I just came here to find out more about what's going on in my new, awesome city, and to try to join in on the fun. Not to get into a battle with someone I don't know who feels the need to attack me, because my opinions are different.

Not attacking you and if you think I am then I'm afraid life will continue to be hard for you.

Your statements weren't accurate and as someone who's spent the last 6 years on the East Coast in cities such as New York, Washington DC, Philly and Chicago I can tell you that there are MANY people who know a significant amount about the Emerald City and are conga toy praising it based on their own visits or what they've read and/or seen in movies or television.

It's one thing to share an opinion but housewife yours as fact according to Ohio citizens but I know for a fact that it's not a true statement as it applies to people from east coast cities.

Don't be so sensitive. Welcome to Seattle and the forum.

[LCIII]

Originally Posted by meaoh

You know, I was just trying to contribute to the conversation by telling about my experiences. I don't know why you feel the need to attack me. Yes, there are facts that show why Seattle is and should be a first-class city, but there are opinions that say otherwise. I'm telling you what those opinions are from some people who don't live here that I've personally met.

And now I'm done. I just came here to find out more about what's going on in my new, awesome city, and to try to join in on the fun. Not to get into a battle with someone I don't know who feels the need to attack me, because my opinions are different.

Not attacking you and if you think I am then I'm afraid life will continue to be hard for you.

Your statements weren't accurate and as someone who's spent the last 6 years on the East Coast in cities such as New York, Washington DC, Philly and Chicago I can tell you that there are MANY people who know a significant amount about the Emerald City and are constantly praising it based on their own visits or what they've read and/or seen in movies or television.

It's one thing to share an opinion but you presented yours as fact according to Ohio citizens but I know for a fact that it's not a true statement as it applies to people from east coast cities.

Don't be so sensitive. Welcome to Seattle and the forum.

[LCIII]

Originally Posted by AzChristopher

Sadly Seattle was the city that just let them go. Had they held on for 2 years things might have been different. So Bellevue, Seattle, Kent, Everett, Tacoma... don't care. Just build something to attract the NHL and if we feel like getting over grudges, the NBA.

Well I do care and I think it's a mistake putting it anywhere but in the heart of the only city of note in this region. #SeattleOrBust

[Sounder]

Originally Posted by mhays

Yes it brings thousands. But any study that counts local money equally is an exercise in deception.

Some are at least slightly more honest. They say money is brought to the neighborhood. Of course they downplay that (a) other neighborhoods lose some share of local spending, and (b) there's a counterflow of some spending away from the stadium area as people avoid it on game day.

What part of regional economic impact statement do you not comprehend? This is basic fourth year undergrad stuff here.

The studies were completed by the area's preeminent independent regional economist, Richard Conway.

The Seahawks and Mariners generated hundreds of millions of dollars, that would not been in the local economy without them.

I personally was involved in a study of the minor league Sounders, and a majority of their fans were from outside of Seattle. A significant number (over 20%) traveled in from Eastern Washington! These sports teams are a major boon to Seattle.

[mhays]

So you're part of the spin. I get it.

[meku]

As someone who has family and friends all over mid-west (PA, OH, NY etc.) I share the same experiences as meaoh. The majority of people I've met and know from those areas have very limited knowledge about Seattle.

It usually comes down to stereotypes: "rain", "starbucks" and "that space building".

[pwalker]

Seattle can support major league hockey and major league basketball.

Seriously, if someone, or some group can build a facility that can support both, they wil succeed, and be heros in Seattle.

The Seattle market is strong enough to support all 4 major sports leagues. Let's hope someone makes it happen. I think somone will, and predict this will happen in the next two-three years.

[testdrive]

This can be a pretty tough crowd from time to time. I sure hope meaoh wants to come back, hate to scare off new people with a fresh perspective. His experience is just that his experience and so his facts. It may not hold true for other areas but it may well be accurate for the area he represents. When I moved here from Detroit 35 years ago I can guarantee people that I knew did not know much about Seattle.......but than again Seattle had not the exposure it has now..............that said there are plenty of people who are not big on travel or care to know about other areas outside of their own.....just saying

[Phriggin' Ogre]

Originally Posted by mhays

So you're part of the spin. I get it.

I know plenty of people that occasionally make the 3 hour drive to Portland or Seattle to catch some professional and college sports.

[ExWNY'er]

I alwaysthought that Seattle would make agood NHL town. Maybe if another franchise moves, they could land in Seattle?

[mhays]

Originally Posted by Phriggin' Ogre

I know plenty of people that occasionally make the 3 hour drive to Portland or Seattle to catch some professional and college sports.

Not sure what your point is. I'm talking about quantity.