Passing Go?
Existing stadiums in SODO were built after extensive public processes that considered alternative sites and thorough reviews of possible transportation impacts.
The present arena developer is not going through the same hoops in seeking binding legal commitments from the City of Seattle and King County to support SODO as the location for a new arena and entertainment complex. In-depth transportation and other environmental review would come after this binding agreement is approved.
Seems odd to us. We aren’t legal experts, but some people who are believe the cart is before the horse.
Alternative legal views are being offered by at least two very different law firms. An analysis for the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association is available here from Garvey, Schubert and Barer, a private firm with strong ties to the maritime industry. Another view comes from Peter Goldman of the Washington Forest Law Center.
A third take on the argument, supported by public policy analysis, is available here from the Port of Seattle.