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The first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol and Seattle city hall, PubliCola has been called a “must-read” by the Seattle Post Intelligencer and a hot “New Media Mover and Shaker” by Seattle Magazine—which also cited our own Erica C. Barnett as the city's No. 1 news nerd.

Afternoon Jolt: Research and Development

Jolt   August 19, 2011 at 6:23 pm Afternoon Jolt

Today’s loser: Developer Kevin Daniels.

The Public Stadium Authority, which oversees Qwest Field (now CenturyLink Field), is playing rough with developer Kevin Daniels. Daniels is currently trying to finalize an agreement to develop the North Lot by the stadium. The PSA said—in a resolution adopted August 11— that Daniels has not “adhere[d] to the conditions” of his agreement to provide replacement parking immediately (for stadium visitors) on the North Lot, and is saying that it will not go forward with the agreement until the developer agrees to either replace the lost parking or pay the stadium authority to build the parking itself.

The story behind Daniels’ efforts to develop the North Lot of the former Kingdome site is a bit complicated, so we’ll boil it down to this: Daniels, a private developer who wants to build condos on the currently vacant North Lot, sought a number of concessions from King County, which owns the property, and from the PSA, which has the right to use some of the property for the stadium parking garage.

(All the parking proceeds from the parking garage, except for taxes, go to Paul Allen and his First and Goal Inc., which built the stadium and operates the garage.)

As part of the deal to develop the North Lot, Daniels agreed to develop parking on there, but stipulated that that parking would be on the eastern half of the lot.

In theory, the disagreement could scuttle the deal to develop the lot, which was supposed to wrap up in the next few months. In reality, it will probably mean a more drawn-out development process—and better terms for the stadium authority, which effectively has veto power over Daniels’ proposal.

Today’s winner : “Curiosity-driven research,” including research into space exploration, in which the Seattle-based Simonyi Fund (executive director: Former Republican King County Executive candidate Susan Hutchison) just invested $100 million.

Specifically, the fund gave the money to The Institute for Advanced Study, a New Jersey-based organization that says its is “fostering fundamental research that advances our understanding of the world.”


  • gohuskies

    Hutchison and Goodspace Guy should run on a ticket together.

  • http://manywordsforrain.blogspot.com/ Mr Baker

    In theory, the disagreement could scuttle the deal to develop the lot, which was supposed to wrap up in the next few months. In reality, it will probably mean a more drawn-out development process—and better terms for the stadium authority, which effectively has veto power over Daniels’ proposal.

    While we are theorizing, the deal could get scuttled and a brand new arena could be built on that lot, and parking.

    Just sayin’

    I am going to go ahead and start that rumor right here, right now, because it is a frickin’ great idea (you’re welcome).

  • Lummy

    Also, an FYI: My article from yesterday on the protest has been updated!

  • Lummy

    Also, an FYI: My article from yesterday on the protest has been updated!

  • Uncle Mike

    where did you get the idea that Paul Allen built the stadium?  Taxpayers built the stadium, but all the money goes to Paul Allen.  Please check with me first before you post anymore article on Publicola. 

  • Uncle Mike

    where did you get the idea that Paul Allen built the stadium?  Taxpayers built the stadium, but all the money goes to Paul Allen.  Please check with me first before you post anymore article on Publicola. 

  • Rob

    Paul Allen funded the election to get the stadium built – so I guess this is part of his payoff.

  • Verd1n

    The election he “funded” was statewide and, even more telling, says ONLY King County taxpayers are to be taxed for it.

    The next sports area should be in Othello.
     

  • Modern Soft Corruption

    you mean the election that narrowly won after the Office of Ron Sims violated public disclosure laws with a high level of culpability withholding thousands of documents about its economic claims for the stadium?  Leading to years of litigation, tremendous legal bills for the public and very large penalties mposed on King County for breaking the law?

    All too late to have the information disclosed, before the election?

    Where it would have made a difference perhaps?

    Showing that in the end, a few hundred thousand in public records act penalties is a small price to pay for not disclosing, when it means you can win an election for a pal, a donor, and then you won’t be around to answer for the law breaking when the legal process finally concludes a few years later?

  • N8

    Can’t wait to have a baseball game, football game and concert all on the same night within 1/4 mile of each other. Also, at least those that build there business around someone else’s business would be better diversified. I love hearing business owners whine and cry when another business decides that it is in its best interest to move and that the government should spend hundreds of millions to stop it.