SEATTLE — KIRO 7 is getting a better look at Key Arena's plan for an extreme makeover.
On Thursday, the Seattle Design Commission went over the latest draft schematics. One of the takeaways from that meeting is that they were able to review the concept design and voted to approve it.
The Seattle Design Commission said one of its goals is to make sure the renovated Key Arena relates well to the Seattle Center and the surrounding neighborhood.
During that meeting, the Seattle Design Committee painted a picture of what the renovation at Key Arena will look like in the near future. One of the highlights is the new entrance on the south side of the building.
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"We were impressed that they've created pedestrian circulation around the perimeter of the building that doesn't really happen on the north side now,” Ross Tilghman, chair of the Seattle Design Commission, said. “We like that improvement. We like the reconfiguration of this atrium."
In December, the city council voted 7-1 to approve a Memorandum of Understanding that gives the Oak View Group the go-ahead to spend $600 million to renovate Key Arena and the Seattle Center. KIRO 7 has learned $40 million of that will be used to try to develop plans to alleviate tight parking.
"I think we can deal with the parking situation," said Seattle resident Aimee Chick." I think that's a very minor thing. I think that's fine."
A renovated Key Arena would seat more than 18,000 fans for NBA games, more than 17,000 for NHL games, and more than 19,000 for concerts.
"Sports back in Queen Anne would be great," said longtime Sonics fan Nathan Sobel. "You know, it would help the businesses here a lot."
But perhaps the most pressing issue for Seattle Design Commission now is to make sure transportation and parking are addressed.
"We're still interested in seeing more information about how people get to the arena, and how it relates to adjacent blocks where parking occurs and where the neighborhood is as well as the rest of the Seattle Center,” said Tilghman.
The plan is to start construction in November of this year. They're hoping the renovation will be finished by October 2020.
Cox Media Group
