Green Light for Multipurpose Arena Brings Seattle One Step Closer to NBA and NHL Teams

SEATTLE (AP) — Plans for a proposed multipurpose arena in Seattle's stadium district can move forward after a final environmental impact statement found no major issues to block the project.

The FEIS on investor Chris Hansen's plans for an arena near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field was released by the city Thursday. Seattle Mayor Ed Murray says that the report makes Seattle "one step closer to bringing NHL hockey and NBA basketball back to Seattle."

But there are obstacles ahead, namely a basketball franchise must be acquired before arena construction can begin. That is part of the memorandum of understanding among Hansen, the city of Seattle and King County that runs through late 2017. The project still needs approval of a street being vacated and has faced opposition from the Port of Seattle and the Mariners regarding the location.