Originally published September 17, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified September 17, 2007 at 9:04 PM

Study says Auburn site would work, but Sonics arena would cost $450M

A new arena for the Sonics and Storm near Emerald Downs is close enough to Seattle to work but would cost more than $450 million, according...

By Jim Brunner

Seattle Times staff reporter

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Draft of Muckleshoot arena report (PDF)

A new arena for the Sonics and Storm near Emerald Downs is close enough to Seattle to work but would cost more than $450 million, according to a study by consultants for the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe.

The study — which did not address how to pay for the arena — said an 18,500-seat arena could be built on a 26-acre pasture owned by the tribe adjacent to the horse-racing track.

The tribe's consultant, Washington D.C.-based Brailsford & Dunlavey, estimated the cost for a 770,000-square-foot arena at $452 million, assuming construction started in 2009.

A survey of Seattle's corporate community found some support for the arena proposal if that was the only way to keep the NBA franchise in the Seattle area.

But the business leaders said they'd prefer an arena in Seattle, Bellevue or Renton, according to Jason Thompson, the Brailsford & Dunlavey consultant who briefed reporters on the study this morning.

The study found the Auburn site, 25 miles south of Seattle off State Route 167, is reachable by car for a larger population of potential NBA ticket buyers than Seattle's KeyArena. But the consultant said improvements to roads in the area would likely be required.

The study was sent on Friday to Gov. Christine Gregoire and Sonics and Storm owner Clay Bennett for review.

Muckleshoot representatives cautioned this is only the first step in a possible new NBA arena. While the tribe would donate its land to an arena project, it is not yet clear how the arena construction would be funded.

Rollin Fatland, a Muckleshoot spokesman, said the tribe is willing to pay for development of a financing plan if there is interest from the Sonics and political leaders.

Fatland said it is likely taxpayers would be asked to contribute to the arena project.

Jim Brunner: 206-515-5628 or jbrunner@seattletimes.com

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