Usually preservationists pursue landmark status in an effort to prevent change, but KeyArena renovations could actually be aided by efforts from the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board to designate the venue as historically significant.
The Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board was presented with an application to designate portions of KeyArena as a historic landmark. KeyArena opened in 1962 as part of the World’s Fair, but not as an arena — rather, it was built as the Washington State Pavilion. When the World’s Fair grounds were converted to the Seattle Center, the Washington State Pavilion was remodeled into the Washington State Coliseum, later known as the Seattle Coliseum. That transition from pavilion to arena was part of the original design. It was then gutted and expanded in 1995, serving as home to the NBA’s Seattle SuperSonics.
KeyArena is unique because of its hyperbolic paraboloid roofline, as designed by Paul Thiry. That roofline, though altered in the 1994-1995 renovations, was singled out by the Landmarks Preservation Board as being architecurally significant. There are six criteria for landmark designation, and although only one criteria is required, the board determined all six criteria were met. A 9-0 vote from the board yesterday moves the process along to another vote in August.
So why is this good news for all involved? In response to a request for proposal (RFP) that was issued by the city, Oak View Group pitched a $564 million in KeyArena renovations that would bring the venue to modern NBA and NHL standards. Among its notable proposals, Oak View Group has suggested preserving KeyArena’s roof while digging down 15 feet to expand the venue to 660,000 square feet. And, as part of the financial plan, Oak View Group would seek $70 million in historical landmark tax credits as part of the financing structure. So, as Seattle moves forward on KeyArena renovations in an effort to bring back the NBA and potentially lure an NHL team, the landmark status may end up being an important financial contributor to the project.
RELATED STORIES: Oak View Group Selected for Possible KeyArena Project; Seattle Partners Withdraws KeyArena Renovation Bid; Oak View Group Tweaks KeyArena Pitch; Groups Detail KeyArena Renovation Traffic Plans; NCAA Tournament Could Affect KeyArena Renovation; KeyArena Renovation Bids in Place; Oak View Group Details KeyArena Renovation Timing; Chris Hansen Expresses Hope for Sodo Arena Plan; Chris Hansen Revives Sodo Arena Bid; Prospective Project Firms Tour KeyArena; KeyArena Renovation Talks Continue; RFP Kickstarts KeyArena Renovation Bids; KeyArena RFP to be Issued on Wednesday; Best of 2016: #5, Seattle’s Arena Debate; Tim Leiweke: Seattle Arena Pursuit is Not a Competition; Oak View Group Ups Key Arena Bid; Chris Hansen Outlines Plans for Sodo Arena; Key Arena Renovation Talks Prompt Concerns from Residents; Key Arena, Sodo at Center Debate in Seattle; AEG, Oak View Pursuing Key Arena Renovations: Mayor; Chris Hansen Offers Private Funds for Sodo Arena; Key Arena Could Be Alternative to Sodo; Chris Hansen Purchases Sodo Lot; Despite Setbacks, Hansen Moves Forward on Seattle Sonics Arena; Is NHL Only Path to Seattle NBA Team? It Appears So; Ballmer: Seattle NBA Team Not Likely in Near Future; Is Quebec City Snub Open Invite for New Seattle NHL Team?; Seattle Rejects Street Closure–and New Arena in Process
