In that time, city officials have moved forward. Seattle Center officials have begun to fill in the 41 open dates the Sonics’ move to Oklahoma City created at KeyArena.
City officials, along with sports-related and business groups interested in keeping KeyArena afloat in a competitive market, have begun working with the state Legislature to secure $75 million to complete a $300 million remodel. The city wants to create an NBA-ready facility with the hope of securing another basketball team in the near future.
According to the settlement, the city could receive another $30 million from Bennett’s group. In order to receive the money, the Legislature would have to fund $75 million toward the KeyArena revamp by Dec. 31, 2009, and Seattle would still have to be without a team by 2013.
Unlike the prior four unsuccessful attempts by the Sonics in Olympia to secure public funding for a new basketball facility, the city is taking a more proactive approach in dealing with state lawmakers in preparation for the 2009 session.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/story/449518.html
One thing I don't get is the line "the city is taking a more proactive approaching in dealing with state lawmakers." If the City expects this to be a successful tactic, why the hell wasn't it employed before?
