SEATTLE — The future of professional basketball in Seattle is back in limbo.
Despite a last-second push, the state Legislature did not act on a proposed renovation plan for KeyArena, home of the Seattle SuperSonics, before adjourning Thursday night.
Offered up by four prominent Seattle businessmen, the proposal called for $75 million of the $300 million renovation cost to come from the extension of current King County taxes. That would require legislative approval.
Another $75 million would come from the city and the businessmen would provide the remaining $150 million.
But Gov. Chris Gregoire said Thursday afternoon there were simply not enough votes to push the proposal through so late in the session. She reiterated there is interest in looking at the proposal next year.
“That’s not to say they don’t want to move forward, that is not to say they don’t agree with the proposal that’s being suggested,” Gregoire said. “They want bridge funding by the city, come back next year, come back and do it right. But there are not enough votes to get it done now.”
Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, and other Senate leaders sent a letter to the four businessmen — Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer, Costco Wholesale Corp. President and CEO Jim Sinegal, wireless entrepreneur John Stanton and Seattle developer Matt Griffin — saying, “a legislative vote on your proposal is premature.”
Griffin said, “I’ve told the city I will just stay calm on this and give them some time to think about what their choices (are).”
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