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Mayor Ed Murray calls Seattle Partners' KeyArena decision ‘unfortunate'

By BY KIPP ROBERTSON, MYNorthwest

With Seattle Partners out, one bid to redevelop KeyArena remains. 

By BY KIPP ROBERTSON, MYNorthwest

SEATTLE — Seattle Mayor Ed Murray called the decision by Seattle Partners to withdraw its bid to redesign and renovate KeyArena “unfortunate.”

Murray says the city and advisory panel have “undertaken careful review of the two proposals to redevelop KeyArena.”

“There are strengths and weaknesses in each proposal and the City fully expects a robust negotiation upon choosing a preferred alternative, to ensure the final plan meets the needs of the surrounding neighborhoods, the city, Seattle Center and those who will use the building for years to come,” Murray said in a statement.

RELATED: Seattle mayor’s staff leaning toward Leiweke’s KeyArena proposal

“It is unfortunate Seattle Partners chose to pull their proposal. As recently as May 19, Seattle Partners stated in a mass email: ‘We applaud the City for executing a thoughtful public process. Engaging with teams from the City and the public has strengthened our proposal and crystalized our approach.’ We hope to continue our current relationship with AEG and look forward to addressing our path forward on KeyArena, as well as our commitment to engage the community, in the coming days.”

Bob Newman, president of Anschutz Entertainment Group, sent a letter to Murray on Sunday officially withdrawing Seattle Partners bid to redesign KeyArena.

Newman’s group is a joint venture between AEG, the world’s largest owner of sports teams and sports events, and Hudson Pacific Properties, a real estate company “focused on acquiring, repositioning, developing, and operating state-of-the-art media and entertainment properties,” according to their website.

By withdrawing, Oak View Group is the only remaining group with a bid to renovate KeyArena.

Founder and CEO of Oak View Group Tim Leiweke says the proposal is “100 percent privately financed and built with 100 percent private proceeds.”

KIRO Radio’s Mike Lewis previously reported that Murray’s staff is expected to recommend the proposal backed by Leiweke and the Oak View Group. The group’s proposal includes a $564 million restoration of the existing KeyArena building.

A decision on the KeyArena proposal could be made as early as this month.

KIRO

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