The SoDo arena might not have a basketball team yet, but it's got lawsuits against it in spades. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union already has a lawsuit going against Chris Hansen's plans and now a lawsuit filed on behalf of four Seattle taxpayers is looking to halt the sports complex.
Their gripe? The arrangement between the arena and city violates the terms of Initiative 91.
Initiative 91, which was overwhelmingly approved in 2006, stated the Seattle must make a profit on any investment it makes into a sports facility. The current deal for the SoDo arena requires Seattle to pay in $200 million, which it will get back via stadium revenue, but without profit.
The people behind the lawsuit include the man behind I-91, a Sounder train conductor and a United Transportation Union leader.
Opening arguments in this lawsuit take place February 22 in King County Superior Court.
Hansen and the arena don't seem to be too phased by the lawsuits as they continue to release designs in preparation for their design review process.
· New suit seeks to halt Sodo arena [Seattle Times]
· Delay Of Game: Union Files Suit Over SoDo Arena [Curbed Seattle]
· New SoDo Arena Designs Go Green [Curbed Seattle]
· All SoDo Arena Coverage