Bellevue not bawling over Renton's win

The Sonics may have anointed Renton as the winner in the arena contest, but the also-ran, Bellevue, doesn't seem to mind.

City officials say Bellevue is doing just fine, with a dozen high-rises and thousands of new residents coming downtown.

"We have a lot of other really good things going on," Mayor Grant Degginger said Wednesday. "We will not miss a beat."

One of the only drawbacks to the team's decision Tuesday, city leaders said, is that it could slow development on Bellevue's proposed arena site, which now has a hotel, office building and car dealership.

The property is to be slated a "special opportunity" area, but it's unclear what that opportunity will be, city officials said.

The surrounding land in what is Bellevue's Auto Row probably will be zoned for retail and apartments or condos, said Matt Terry, director of planning and community development.

The decision by the NBA team's owners marked the end of a love triangle of sorts between the Sonics and the two cities.

The Sonics, under two different owners, met with both cities over nearly a year to discuss parking, roads and acreage.

Neither city made a commitment to the team, including financial help, but Renton officials were more effusive in their public comments. The Rotary Club of Renton even printed T-shirts last spring supporting the city's bid.

Bellevue city officials, meanwhile, were cautious and expressed only general interest in the idea. They said the team needed to provide more details about the building.

"Our approach was appropriate," Degginger said.

Sonics owner Clay Bennett on Tuesday said the Bellevue site was too small, too expensive and too complicated.

The team was considering 14 acres east of Interstate 405 on Auto Row, with several different property owners.

The Renton site is 21 acres with one owner, Boeing.

Bellevue developer Bob Wallace said the team should have chosen his city because it is more wealthy and conveniently located.

"I always believed the economics of selling season tickets, popcorn and beer would have been the thing that ultimately won the day for Bellevue," he said.

Bellevue has also considered a "people mover" that would transport pedestrians across I-405, possibly with a large public parking garage built around the arena site. A Sonics arena could have speeded those plans.

Bellevue residents said they were glad for Renton and not particularly disappointed the arena would bypass their city.

"I'm happy it's on the Eastside," said Martin Tarvydas, 47. "It's still easier than going to Seattle and over the bridge."

The Renton site has plenty of space, while the Auto Row property is "a pretty tight little area there," said Chris Holden, 44.

Gavin Riley, 34, who works in Bellevue and lives in Mercer Island, said a Bellevue arena would have appealed to Microsoft and other high-powered companies.

"They could give me free food and beer, and I'm not going" to Renton, he said.

Some Bellevue officials pointed out that the city's chances of landing a sports facility may not be entirely gone, either now or in the future.

Bennett, the Sonics owner, said the city remains a backup, or "active potential candidate."

"We don't know what that means exactly," Terry said. "We'll see how it plays out."

Ashley Bach: 206-464-2567 or abach@seattletimes.com