The Northwest Seaport Alliance and the Port of Seattle

Updated SODO Arena Proposal, Related Impacts, Key Arena Support and the Future of Industrial Lands

Communications & Outreach Plan

DRAFT – NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION – CONFIDENTIAL WORK PRODUCT

Prepared by:

Port of Seattle Public Affairs

November 5, 2018

Overview and Situation Assessment

In 2012, the City of Seattle and King County entered into a joint agreement with a private developer to explore a sports and entertainment arena within Seattle’s Duwamish Manufacturing/Industrial Center (M/IC) – the third such facility within the M/IC. The proposed street vacation is an essential component of the new complex in this location – the facility would sit on the existing right-of-way as well as property on both sides.

The surrounding industrial center of the proposed site connects vital international trade, manufacturing and transportation interests at a crossroads in the heart of Seattle. The area serves an important function in facilitating the efficient movement of cargo between shipping terminals, rail yards, transload facilities and distribution centers. The proposed portion of Occidental Avenue to vacate is a vital part of the street grid in SODO – eliminating it would create substantial negative impacts to the transportation system, which the related Arena Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) did not address in a comprehensive fashion.

Last spring, the Seattle City Council voted 5-4 to deny a petition to vacate a portion of Occidental Avenue, pausingany progress with the project. Just before the vote, the Port of Seattle, along with ILWU, publically expressed consideration for legal action against the City over the inadequate EIS.

On October 25, the developer re-opened the debate on the project in proposing a new route to privately finance the project, and voiding his MOU with the City and King County. The proposal overview commits “future payment of compensation for the vacated street to the City’s financing package for the Lander Street Overpass” and outlines willingness to “direct contributions” to “other traffic and freight mobility improvements.”

In response to the updated proposal, Seattle Commission President Creighton sent a brief letter to Mayor Murray and the Seattle City Council noting that the Port’s position “on this matter has not changed”. Staff shared the letter with several key stakeholders, including our key partners from the arena fight earlier this year, State Representative Judy Clibborn (who led the 50+ legislators’ occidental opposition letter), State Senator Curtis King (who joined Representative Clibborn in leading the state legislator letter) and members of the media. On October 27, the City of Seattle announced that they will be issuing an RFP for “private parties interested in the redevelopment of Key Arena. Proposals would be centered on developing an entertainment facility that can host meetings, concerts and sporting events.” The Mayor indicated that the developer’s latest proposal would not be re-considered until at least the conclusion of the City’s RFP process sometime next Spring.

In 2015, the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) between Seattle and Tacoma was officially formed to increase the competitiveness of our gateway, coordinate investments in strategic infrastructure, and to bring more cargo volume and economic benefit to the region. Should the proposed SODO arena project move forward or other non-industrial commercial uses are established at this developer’s site, there are likely significant negative implications on operations around the North Harbor.

This plan describes the strategies and tactics that will be undertaken to inform relevant stakeholders of the impacts of the SODO proposal and broader non-industrial development. Further, the plan will outline means with which to work with the Mayor’s office, executive departments, the City Council and others to protect future maritime and industrial interests around the Duwamish MIC and North Harbor, as well as connecting these efforts to the Mayor’s Industrial Lands Advisory Panel.

Goals

  • Maintain majority Seattle City Council support of the Port of Seattle’s position to oppose the vacation of Occidental Avenue.
  • Tie further non-industrial development debates in SODO (and other industrial lands) directly to the Mayor’s Industrial Lands Advisory Panel.
  • Build public support for the KeyArena proposal.

Objectives

  • Clearly communicate to Seattle City Council the importance of Occidental Ave to the overall transportation system in SODO and efficient movement of freight, and that any street vacation vote would be premature until the Mayor’s industrial task force work is completed and the City’s RFP process for the Key Arena is concluded.
  • Broaden the voices opposing the vacation and non-industrial development in SODO and supporting alternative arena locations.
  • Demonstrate a solution-oriented approach in supporting others in bringing the NBA and NHL to Seattle, such as remodeling Key Arena.

Strategies

  • Build community understanding about the negative implications of the proposed project and other non-industrial development in SODO.
  • Expand support among other elected officials at all levels of government to protect industrial and maritime interests in area.
  • Pursue public and media opportunities to educate others on the Port of Seattle’s position.
  • Utilize persuasive and compelling data to advance the Port’s position.
  • Provide support for the KeyArena option, whether it might be funding for transportation enhancements or otherwise.

Key Messages

Primary Messages

  • We want the Sonics back and the NHL in the region, but believe there are better locations for an arena than a congested freight corridor, like the existing KeyArena.
  • We think that the City’s Key Arena redevelopment RFP announcement signals a better direction for everyone.
  • Assuming we are moving past the MOU, we can have a frank, public, regional discussion as to what site makes sense in terms of bring the Sonics back to Seattle and protecting and maintaining a strong maritime industrial base.
  • The Port of Seattle and Northwest Seaport Alliance stand ready to discuss and engage in freight mobility issues in a transparent public discussion.
  • The City Council majority was clear in their vote back in May: SODO is key to this region’s middle-class jobs.We must consider the impactson those jobs by moving forward with SODO arena location and its potential negative implications on those who depend on the maritime, manufacturing and industrial sectors for their jobs.
  • The cargo activities at the Port’s maritime assets mean more truck traffic especially near Terminal 46, a key terminal in the exporting of hay, apples, and other Washington products.
  • The rail system, adjacent to the deep water harbor, and highway access create a major hub for global commerce and trade
  • We agree with the Mayor that it would be premature for the City Council to take action on the developer’s latest arena proposal until the Mayor’s industrial task force work is completed and the City’s RFP process for the Key Arena is concluded.
  • We continue to believe that is premature to privatize a public right of way before a basketball team is even targeted or identified as an option. Taking the public right-of-way from the public and giving it to a private developer forever removes it from public ownership.
  • The NBA and NHL continue to signal that any expansion or relocation opportunities to Seattle are not in their current plans.
  • No other city in America has three sports arenas in one location, except Philadelphia, whose facilities were all planned to be built together on a site that accommodated the co-location.
  • Outline the actual costs of the developers updated proposal, including the tax breaks he is asking for (work underway).

Second Tier Messages

  • Managing $77 billion annually in marine cargo activity at the Seattle and Tacoma harbors (North and South), we believe the decision to move forward with a sports and entertainment complex in SODO includes both local and regional negative implications.
  • The estimated current vehicles trips an hour (600 vehicles an hour from 8 to 9 am and 300 vehicles an hour from 4 to 5 pm) are the equivalent of one lane of traffic put onto 1st Ave S – and that doesn’t even include the additional traffic from arena activities.
  • Occidental Avenue S is the relief-valve for congestion on 1st Avenue S and its intersection with S Atlantic Street. Loss of S Occidental Ave’s capacity will exacerbate congestion on 1st Avenue S and the intersection of 1st Ave S and S Atlantic Street.
  • Impact will be irrevocable, and will affect conditions seven days per week, 24 hours per day. Yet, the intersection of 1st Avenue S and S Atlantic Street has no known remedies that will solve the current extreme congestion at this intersection. The closing of Occidental would make this situation worse.
  • This impact affects the entire region: The 1st Ave S and S Atlantic Street corridor is the most critical connection for traffic entering or exiting the city at the southern edge of downtown, affecting freeway connections (SR519 traffic between I-5/I-90 and SR99 and the waterfront) and access to the freeway system from both the Duwamish M/IC and downtown.

Tactics and Next Steps

Ongoing

  • Close POS and NWSA staff coordination.
  • Information gathering from City staff, elected officials and key stakeholders.
  • Media tracking and proactive outreach as necessary.
  • Engagement in the Mayor’s Industrial Lands Advisory Panel and smaller working group.
  • Outreach to Mayor, Seattle City Council staff and key stakeholders.

Issues to Address/Work Underway

  • Further comprehensive data-driven understanding of SODO traffic impacts, including, but not limited to construction diversions, opening of the tunnel and upcoming capital projects, potential in partnership with third parties.
  • Future uses of maritime assets (internal work).
  • Opportunities and activities to support development of Key Arena or other sports complex alternatives.
  • Craft fact sheet on the basic details of developers new proposal and include key talking points.

Key Dates

The following events and meetings will provide opportunities to further our key messages and engage important stakeholders. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and will be updated regularly as the situation landscape changes and becomes clearer.

  • November:Next Industrial Lands Advisory Panel expected (date TBD)
  • November 1:Staff presents Guiding Principles to Protect and Enhance Maritime and ManufacturingLands to the Managing Members for consideration
  • November 2:Commissioner Creighton to meet with Council President Bruce Harrell
  • November 4:In-person meeting at Pier 69 with key partners from earlier 2016 arena fight
  • November 8:Port Commission considers adoption of 2017 state legislative agenda
  • November 9:Commissioner Creighton to attend meeting with Councilmember Bagshaw and others to discuss collaborative approach for the KeyArena proposal.
  • November 9:WPPA Legislative Meeting
  • Week of November 14:WPPA annual meeting
  • November 14, 15:State Senate Committee Assembly Days, Senators gather in Olympia
  • November 18:Pacific Maritime Expo Annual Breakfast
  • Late November:Seattle City Council expected to adopt 2017 budget
  • December:Port Commission consider adoption of 2017 local and regional legislative agenda
  • December 1, 2:State House Committee Assembly Days, House members gather in Olympia
  • December 5 thru 9:POS Hamburg trip
  • December 8 and 9:NWSA Vancouver, BC trip
  • Mid-December:Reconvene the stakeholders group at Pier 69 (follow-up from November 4 stakeholders meeting)
  • January 2017:Key Arena RFP expected to be issued from the Mayor’s office
  • January 2017:Anticipated State Rep. Clibborn to host a hearing on port issues
  • February 2017: Industrial Lands Advisory Panel submits recommendations for Comp Plan amendments (industrial lands related)to Mayor for consideration and review
  • March 2017: Mayor transmits his industrial lands recommendations to City Council

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