The Seattle Preservation Board has granted local historical landmark status to KeyArena. The Seattle Times reports Wednesday’s designation of both the arena’s iconic sloped roof and walls means any renovation must include specific steps to leave certain elements intact.
The board also approved designation for the nearby Bressi garage, the home of Pottery Northwest.
Both decisions could play a big role in the negotiations between the Oak View Group and the City of Seattle on a Memorandum of Understanding for a new Arena at Seattle Center.
The local landmark designation for KeyArena could help the Oak View Group get up to $70 million in federal tax credits if the building is designated as a federal historical landmark. The OVG’s original proposal called for $50 million in historic tax credits.
According to KING5, that same proposal from OVG earmarked the Bressi Garage for demolition for office space and a south loading dock for the proposed arena. The designation does not rule out renovation, but begins the city’s “controls and incentives” phase of development that may lead to design changes and could lead to negotiations with Pottery Northwest.
(KPUG – Doug Lange; Information from the Seattle Times & king5.com used in this story)