Originally published Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Comments
E-mail article
Print view
Expanded convention center's cost: $766 million
A proposed expansion of Seattle's downtown convention center would cost an estimated $766 million, according to early cost estimates.
Seattle Times staff reporter
A proposed expansion of Seattle's downtown convention center would cost an estimated $766 million, according to early cost estimates released by backers of the project Monday.
But an existing King County hotel tax that backers hope will pay for the project should bring in more than enough to pay for the expansion — and even leave enough extra to contribute $75 million toward a KeyArena expansion being sought by Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, according to convention-center estimates.
Nickels also has sought a portion of that tax to pay for part of the KeyArena renovation aimed at luring an NBA team to replace the departed Sonics.
Frank Finneran, chairman and chief executive of the Washington State Convention & Trade Center, told a legislative task force that the expansion would allow the convention center to attract business it now turns away, claiming, "We are losing more business than we are booking."
The proposed expansion would be built one block to the northwest of the existing convention center, over Metro Transit's Convention Place Station. It would double the amount of exhibit space available for the center and would include a ballroom and retail space.
The funding would come from the existing convention-center tax of 7 percent on hotel- and motel-room bills in Seattle. Hotels and motels in the rest of King County pay 2.8 percent. That tax currently is devoted to marketing and paying off the debt from the existing convention center.
Jim Brunner: 206-515-5628 or jbrunner@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
UPDATE - 12:32 PM
DNA, ballistics tie man to cop killing, police say
UPDATE - 12:56 PM
Reward in Greenwood arsons raised to $25,000
NEW - 01:32 PM
Fatal shooting reported at Oregon office park
Greenwood merchants nervous after 3 more arsons
UW to honor war heroes with Medal of Honor memorial

Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Ken Auletta talks about Google with Brier Dudley at the Seattle Central Library.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Lt. governor's son shot by co-worker in Kent; gunman then shot self
- DNA, ballistics tie man to cop killing, police say
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Prosecutors consider charges against suspect in police shooting
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Steve Kelley | Hasselbeck gives Seahawks' sagging season a stay of execution
- Trucker dies as big-rig plummets off SF bridge
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- House health bill unacceptable to many in Senate
263 - Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
262 - Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
207 - McGinn more than doubles his lead over Mallahan
189 - King County OKs 'don't ask' law on immigration
182 - Resolute Fort Hood soldiers ready for return
130 - Time to bring Ken Griffey Jr. back in 2010
95 - 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
90 - Josh Smith picks UCLA
85 - DNA, ballistics tie man to cop killing, police say
75
- For 80-year-old Maple Valley man, hoops aren't just a dream
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Silver Lake restaurant destroyed by fire
- Pakistani-American cafe, bar owner on verge of being Granite Falls mayor
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
- All You Can Eat | Fruit flies: thrill to the kill
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Rainier Pacific Financial calls rescue 'unlikely'





