Arena investor: 'I'm definitely in it for the long run'
SEATTLE -- On the eve of an important meeting Thursday afternoon that could help shape whether the city of Seattle will build a new arena, the arena's main investor says recent opposition to the plan won't deter him.
The mega-meeting will bring together all members of both the Seattle City Council and the King County Council.
Developer Chris Hansen wants to build a $490 million sports complex in SoDo, with $200 million in public investment to be paid back later.
Supporters call it one of the best private-public deals in sports, but opponents have said, among other things, they want the entire project financed privately.
Hansen won't attend the meeting, but said in an interview with KOMO News Thursday, said he was surprised at the number of hurdles the plan has had to jump through so far.
"I think I knew the political process in Seattle would involve quite a bit, probably not the extent that it has," he said. "I think we put together a great package that protects tax payers that was really a great deal compared to other arena proposals. But with anything in life there's going to be people that disagree with you. That's part of the process here in Seattle. People like to ask tough questions. I really don't have any issue with that."
Hansen says he thinks the biggest misconception about the proposal is that it doesn't protect taxpayers.
"It's difficult to read through the (memorandum of understanding) and take the time to understand the protections we put in place," he said. "But if you do take the time to do that and realize... we've gone a long way to ensure the taxpayer dollars invested will not be at risk."
But Hansen says he won't be discouraged by the opposition.
"I'm definitely in it for the long run," he said. "I deal with a lot of opposition and controversy and different points of view in my day job. It comes with the territory when you're asking the public to make a major investment. I'm respectful of our opposition -- they're entitled to their opinions. I would just ask that if people are going to disagree, they do their homework and it's factual and they're not making baseless, wild claims just to support their point of view."
He was also asked about the Dream Girls' strip club refusing to sell its building, which lies near where the arena would be built. The owner says Hansen made an offer for the property that "wasn't in the ballpark" of what they would be willing to sell for.
"We would love to negotiate with them over buying the property," Hansen said. "That's not part of the property that would be under the arena. That would be on our doorstep. As anyone can imagine, having an adult venue outside a sports arena would not be an ideal fan experience."
But overall, he says he wants to do something for his hometown.
"I'd love to have basketball back here and I'd love to have a new arena to bring the NHL to Seattle. I'm from here. It's a great opportunity for me to do something for my home town," he said. "One of the benefits of being successful is finding unique ways to share it. I'd love to be able to come back here come visit my family and go to Sonics games, go to NHL games and concerts in the new arena."
The meeting with the county and city councils is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.
The mega-meeting will bring together all members of both the Seattle City Council and the King County Council.
Developer Chris Hansen wants to build a $490 million sports complex in SoDo, with $200 million in public investment to be paid back later.
Supporters call it one of the best private-public deals in sports, but opponents have said, among other things, they want the entire project financed privately.
Hansen won't attend the meeting, but said in an interview with KOMO News Thursday, said he was surprised at the number of hurdles the plan has had to jump through so far.
"I think I knew the political process in Seattle would involve quite a bit, probably not the extent that it has," he said. "I think we put together a great package that protects tax payers that was really a great deal compared to other arena proposals. But with anything in life there's going to be people that disagree with you. That's part of the process here in Seattle. People like to ask tough questions. I really don't have any issue with that."
Hansen says he thinks the biggest misconception about the proposal is that it doesn't protect taxpayers.
"It's difficult to read through the (memorandum of understanding) and take the time to understand the protections we put in place," he said. "But if you do take the time to do that and realize... we've gone a long way to ensure the taxpayer dollars invested will not be at risk."
But Hansen says he won't be discouraged by the opposition.
"I'm definitely in it for the long run," he said. "I deal with a lot of opposition and controversy and different points of view in my day job. It comes with the territory when you're asking the public to make a major investment. I'm respectful of our opposition -- they're entitled to their opinions. I would just ask that if people are going to disagree, they do their homework and it's factual and they're not making baseless, wild claims just to support their point of view."
He was also asked about the Dream Girls' strip club refusing to sell its building, which lies near where the arena would be built. The owner says Hansen made an offer for the property that "wasn't in the ballpark" of what they would be willing to sell for.
"We would love to negotiate with them over buying the property," Hansen said. "That's not part of the property that would be under the arena. That would be on our doorstep. As anyone can imagine, having an adult venue outside a sports arena would not be an ideal fan experience."
But overall, he says he wants to do something for his hometown.
"I'd love to have basketball back here and I'd love to have a new arena to bring the NHL to Seattle. I'm from here. It's a great opportunity for me to do something for my home town," he said. "One of the benefits of being successful is finding unique ways to share it. I'd love to be able to come back here come visit my family and go to Sonics games, go to NHL games and concerts in the new arena."
The meeting with the county and city councils is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.
