KeyArena initiative backers to submit petitions

An initiative that would restrict the use of taxpayer money to fund a KeyArena expansion for the Sonics appears to be headed toward the fall ballot.

Sponsors of Seattle Initiative 91 say they'll submit petitions today with more than 20,000 signatures to the City Clerk.

To qualify, the initiative needs signatures from 17,698 registered Seattle voters.

Chris Van Dyk, co-chairman for the I-91 campaign, said organizers will continue to gather a few thousand additional signatures to ensure they have enough valid ones to qualify.

If the initiative is certified, the Seattle City Council will have 45 days to enact it into law or put it to a public vote in September or November. The council also could choose to place an alternative proposal on the ballot alongside the initiative.

Sonics owners, led by Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz, have been seeking a $220 million expansion of city-owned KeyArena. The team wants to pay for the expansion by extending the life of taxes on hotels, car rentals and restaurants used to pay off debt from the construction of Safeco and Qwest fields.

Sonics owners also want a new lease that would let them control all the profits from a refurbished arena.

I-91 would prohibit such an arrangement by requiring that any investment of public money for the benefit of a professional sports team return a "fair market" profit for the city.

The initiative comes as Sonics officials and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels' office have been meeting privately to negotiate a possible arena deal. Neither side is commenting publicly on the details of those talks.

Karen Bryant, a spokeswoman for the Sonics and Storm, said team officials prefer an arena deal without a public vote.

"The good news is we're continuing to talk. The dialogue is still open," said Bryant, who also is chief operating officer for the Storm basketball team.

The Sonics' current KeyArena lease expires in 2010. Without a favorable new deal, owners have said they'll look to sell or move the franchise.

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