In Seattle, State Rep. Steve Van Luven, who "could play
an instrumental role in passing financing" for a new
football stadium, said Football Northwest, Paul Allen's
group overseeing his bid for the Seahawks, indicated they
would deliver a proposed financing package by Christmas,
according to Elliott Almond of the SEATTLE TIMES. Van
Luven: "They're putting it together, they're not waiting for
the governor and blue-ribbon panel." Football Northwest is
"hoping to get legislative support" early next year for a
package that could be put to public vote in King County by
May or June. Allen's spokesperson, Susan Pierson "dismissed
the notion" a proposal could be ready by Christmas.
Pierson: "We're going to take our time" (SEATTLE TIMES,
12/18). But another State Rep. Marlin Appelwick, said if
the Mariners leave, "the football stadium's dead."
Appelwick: "Now that the baseball stadium is turning into
such a fiasco, with so much frustration, a lot of
legislators are gun shy about even getting near a football
project" (Art Thiel, SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 12/19).
