Hansen: Sodo arena traffic concerns are 'grossly inaccurate'

Arena investor Chris Hansen has some homework for you: Check the city's street webcams before Mariners games, and see whether traffic in Sodo is really as big of a problem as many say it is.

As Hansen continues to drum up support for his proposed sports arena south of Safeco Field, the skeptics are also getting louder. On Sunday, for instance, the Seattle Times editorial board raised concerns about whether the public would be adequately protected from financial risks, though Hansen has pledged his investment group would cover cost overruns and revenue shortfalls.

In the months since the city of Seattle and King County said they would be willing to contribute up to $200 million in public bonds to help pay for arena construction, the project has received much criticism from the maritime industry, which is mainly concerned about added weeknight traffic to the city's industrial center. Though most port operations close at 4:30 p.m., some do continue, and the Port of Seattle and others are worried about extra congestion in the late afternoon.

These questions have persisted even after Hansen commissioned an independent parking and transportation study, overseen by the Seattle Department of Transportation, that found the proposed arena would have a minimal effect on shipping traffic in Sodo. 

On Monday, Hansen decided it was time to respond himself. He posted a statement to his group's website, SonicsArena.com, to try and clear up some of the traffic debate.

"While such critics have yet to provide any substantive, independent analysis of their own to support such a point of view," Hansen wrote, "common sense would tell us that people are simply not going to arrive at 3-4 pm for an arena event that starts after 7 pm. On the contrary, we believe most of our customers are at work until at least 5 pm.

"But equally important is the fact that the arena will not even open its doors to the public until 6 pm for weekday NBA and NHL games and most concerts. While some may choose to come to the area early for a drink or a bite to eat, most arena patrons are in a rush to make tip-off/face-off and arrive just prior to game time -- a fact that is clearly evidenced by a simple glance at the stands of an NBA or NHL game for the first half (or) the first period.

"Thus the assumption that all of our patrons and their 6,000 vehicles will descend on the arena site between 3-5 pm is just grossly inaccurate."

Then again, Hansen is also relying largely on assumptions -- that arena traffic wouldn't pick up until after work hours. His traffic study, conducted by Auburn-based firm Parametrix, also included similar assumptions. SDOT officials said traffic will continue to be studied more in-depth.

Such assumptions are exactly what's concerning the Port of Seattle and several maritime unions. The skeptics are not convinced.

But Hansen challenged people to do their own, anecdotal study of sports traffic in Sodo. He wants people to see for themselves what time Sodo traffic picks up on days when the Mariners play at Safeco Field.

He pointed to SDOT's online street webcams, and has added to SonicsArena.com an SDOT webcam that looks north up First Avenue South next to the proposed arena location.

"I would encourage everyone in the city to have a look at these cameras from 3-5 pm on Mariners game days and judge the traffic conditions for themselves," Hansen wrote. "I would also encourage people to look throughout the evening, including between 6:30-7:30 pm when we believe most of our patrons would be arriving (and after the port is closed), as well as after 9:30 pm when arena events would be winding down."

The arena proposal is currently before the city and county councils for deliberation. The offices of Mayor Mike McGinn and King County Executive Dow Constantine have already signed a "memorandom of understanding" with Hansen on the financing plan, in which the public could add $200 million to the $800 million Hansen is willing to spend on arena construction and acquiring an NBA franchise to bring to Seattle.

Under the agreement, the city would contribute $120 million for construction if Hansen and his investment group can nail down an NBA franchise for Seattle. King County would contribute $80 million if both an NBA team and an NHL team will move to Seattle, but would contribute up to $5 million if Hansen gets only an NBA franchise.

To recoup its investment, the city plans to impose property, leasehold, and business and occupation (B&O) taxes on the arena and its operators. People who attend sports games, concerts or other events at the new arena would help foot the bill by paying extra taxes on admission, sales and parking.

Additionally, because the city-owned arena site would be removed from the city's property-tax roll, Seattle property owners would likely pay $2 to $3 more per year to make up the difference.

Hansen plans to hold a public rally for the arena at 4 p.m. Thursday at Seattle's Occidental Park downtown. Slated performers include the Presidents of the United States of America and the Blue Scholars, and guests include former Sonics players Shawn Kemp, Gary Payton and Slick Watts. Sports broadcaster Kevin Calabro will emcee the event.

Nick Eaton can be reached at 206-448-8125 or nickeaton@seattlepi.com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/njeaton. Visit seattlepi.com's home page for more Seattle news.