Potential Eastside Arena Site Being Sold, But Not to the Sonics

Bellevue officials tell King County Journal reporter David Grant that the old Safeway distribution center, considered an ideal arena site, will be sold in days--but not to the new Sonics ownership group.

If the Sonics do move to the Eastside, many have suggested this site because it's just east of downtown Bellevue and near the intersection of 405 and 520. But the new owners, proving that never-ending process isn't only for the Seattle City Council, are currently studying the situation

Last week, the partnership, called Professional Basketball Club LLC, announced they have hired Cushman & Wakefield, a commercial real estate brokerage, and two Seattle-area law firms to evaluate potential sites for "a world-class arena in the Seattle area."

Jim Kneeland, a spokesman for the new owners, said he expects Cushman & Wakefield to consider more than 20 sites in King County and come up with a short list of finalists by the end of November.

"We're not going to be the purchaser of that property in the next announcement they make," said Kneeland, referring to the Safeway property in Bellevue.

A tight timeline is necessary, he said, because any arena deal likely will involve public financing that would need to be approved by the Legislature, which convenes in January.

So let's get this straight, new Sonics owners--a tight timeline is necessary, yet you're going to study the situation for two more months while a dream location for an arena is sold right out from under you? Yeah, that makes perfect sense.

Honestly, why the charade? It's not fooling anyone (ok, it's fooling a few people). We are the most educated city in the nation, you know. Just move the team to OKC and be done with it.