The man running the KeyArena renovation proposal process said that Seattle Mayor Ed Murray’s decision not to run for re-election will have "zero impact on proceedings," according to Geoff Baker of the SEATTLE TIMES. City of Seattle Office of Economic Development Dir Brian Surratt yesterday said that he "plans to forward a recommendation to Murray’s office in June as expected and that a final decision should be made late in the month." Surratt "dismissed a suggestion Tuesday by mayoral candidate Mike McGinn that more time is needed to vet proposals" by the Oak View Group and Seattle Partners, which is being headed up by AEG and Hudson Pacific Properties. Both groups have "already met with a city advisory committee as well as city executive officials and some staffers." The advisory committee will "forward a recommendation on to a three-member executive panel -- of which Surratt is part -- and will provide Murray with a recommendation next month" (SEATTLE TIMES, 5/11). Baker noted the contract "could take into next year to be negotiated and occur with a new mayor already in office." Depending on who the mayor is -- and his or her influence with council members -- the process "might not be as smooth as some had hoped." McGinn said, "The idea that the city is going to make a decision by June on the two KeyArena proposals really doesn’t make a whole lot of sense given the complexity of the proposals" (SEATTLETIMES.com, 5/10).
