In Seattle, Geoff Baker notes Oak View Group, planning a $600M KeyArena renovation, hopes to pay $40M to a "local transportation mitigation fund not as a lump sum, but spread out over a 39-year lease term." OVG, which is paying for the renovation privatetly, hopes the Seattle City Council’s Select Committee on Civic Arenas "ratifies the deal by December to hasten the potential acquisition of an NHL expansion franchise." OVG has "hired local firm Nelson\Nygaard as a consultant on a 'mobility action plan' to review how money collected in the transportation fund should be spent." An "initial plan is expected" by Q1 '18, as an "environmental impact statement (EIS) on the KeyArena renovation is being prepared" (SEATTLE TIMES, 9/19).
FALLING OUT OF LINE: In N.Y., Boniello & Balsamini noted Barclays Center's steep upper bowl has "prompted at least four lawsuits from folks claiming they were crushed by fellow patrons who tumbled over the harrowingly sheer, narrow, dark rows or stairs." An arena spokesperson denied that there is a "falling-fan problem." The spokesperson also said that Barclays Center "complies with the city’s safety codes and 'was built to the highest safety standards in the industry.'" However, attorney Michael Castro believes that while inebriated fans are "part of the problem, the steep incline of the upper bowl is also a factor in the frequent falls, as is the dense seating which leaves little room between rows" (N.Y. POST, 9/17).
SHOW ME THE GREEN: In Green Bay, Jeff Bollier notes a house "just north" of Lambeau Field is "on the market this month" for $999,000. That is "more than twice its $371,200 assessed value." The "two-bedroom, two-bathroom ranch" is often rented for "up to $3,500" for a Packers game-day weekend. The "party house will test" just how much Packers fans will "pay for a view of Lambeau Field" (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 9/19).
