Climate Pledge Arena Redevelopment

In early 2017, the City of Seattle released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of the former KeyArena. From two proposal submissions, the City selected Oak View Group (OVG). More than a dozen City agencies and departments worked together to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with OVG to redevelop the arena into a world-class facility, ready for professional hockey, basketball and live entertainment.

The MOU provided the framework for detailed Transaction Documents approved by Seattle City Council in August 2018. The Transaction Documents contain three agreements: The Development, Lease and Integration Agreements. Together they provide the parameters necessary to guide the construction and operation of the Arena and its integration with the Seattle Center campus and community.

During this process, an Arena Community Advisory Group supported City efforts to integrate and connect a redeveloped Arena with Seattle Center and surrounding neighborhoods. The group advised broadly on project scopes including mobility planning, community benefits, current and future workers and use of Women and Minority Business Enterprises (WMBE) during construction.

This Climate Pledge Arena project completely transforms the 57-year old building beneath its iconic, landmarked roof structure, nearly doubling the interior space. The project includes a new entry atrium and below grade expansion for additional seating and circulation, parking for 400 vehicles and a loading dock accessed by an underground tunnel. It also upgrades outdoor spaces on the site and signage.

Oak View Group, which will privately fund the $800 million+ redevelopment, is preparing for site construction, working with City agencies to secure the required permits and agreements including those pertaining to the Arena’s designation as a historic landmark.

Here are links to various documents pertaining to Arena redevelopment:
• Request for Proposals
• Arena Advisory Group Guiding Principles
• Memorandum of Understanding – Summary and Related Documents
• The Final EIS can be reviewed here (search for permit number 3029061)
• Transaction Documents – Summary and Agreements, including Community Benefits Summary
• Construction Impacts Mitigation Plan

Transportation plays an important role in the success of an event facility of this scale. Arena negotiations laid the way for a focus on improvements in mobility in the north downtown area, while putting in place specific plans to mitigate transportation impacts of arena activities on surrounding neighborhoods.

Here are links to various documents pertaining to transportation mobility around the Arena:
• North Downtown Mobility Action Plan
• DRAFT Arena Access Management Plan (AAMP)
• EIS Mitigations required in the Master Use Permit Decision