SEATTLE (AP) — The Metropolitan King County Council has voted to approve a proposal for a new arena that could bring the NBA back to Seattle.
The County Council approved the amended proposal from investor Chris Hansen by a 6-3 vote on Monday afternoon. The plan also needs approval from the Seattle City Council. If the city makes any changes, it will need to be voted on again by the county.
Just before the county hearing began, eight of nine Seattle councilmembers unveiled a letter to Hansen saying changes must be made to the proposal before they can support it. The City Council wants to ensure that a portion of tax revenues generated by a new arena would help pay for local transportation improvements. Currently, the proposal calls for those taxes to be used to pay off the $200 million in city and county bonds for the $490 million arena.
