Sports fans in Seattle have long awaited the return of the NBA franchise they lost, the Seattle Sonics, and Thursday's decision by a city council committee moved that dream a step closer toward realization.
The Seattle City Council's Government Performance and Finance Committee voted unanimously to approve a revised version of the proposal to build a new arena in the SoDo area of the city -- near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field.
The vote paves the way for the actual city council to rule on the agreement on Sept. 24. If it passes, Seattle will get a new basketball and hockey arena through which to attract an NBA and NHL franchise.
Most folks in the Emerald City expect the city council to rule in the fans' favor, so Chris Hansen, a Seattle native who is the main investor for the new arena project, can now begin shopping for tenants.
AP story: #SeattleArena investor Chris Hansen can now shop for NBA team -- yhoo.it/NriMMy
— Tim Booth (@ByTimBooth) September 14, 2012
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