KIRO Newsradio hosts Jake Skorheim and Spike O'Neill discussed the proposed $1.5 billion revamp of the Seattle Center. Skorheim argues the city should prioritize safety and address pressing issues before investing such a large sum, questioning the project's cost compared to historical investments. O'Neill acknowledges the point but questions if scaling back is worthwhile, emphasizing the need for the revamp to create a true community hub.
to revamp the Seattle Center , KIRO host Jake Skorheim argued the city has more pressing concerns and should first prioritize safety. “Seattle used to be just a different city. Like they had different priorities.
They wanted to keep people safe,” he said onon KIRO Newsradio. “Seattle used to be a little bit more like Bellevue is now, where it was a pretty clean city. It wasn’t always the best, but it didn’t feel unsafe. If they’re not going to get ahead of those things, I don’t see how you can ask people for $1.5 billion for something like Seattle Center.”in 1956 for fairground development, while the State of Washington spent $4.5 million to build the Seattle Center Coliseum, now Climate Pledge Arena. “Now you’re talking $1.5 billion, it’s too much money. A billion dollars is too much money,” he said. He questioned whether $1.5 billion is excessive, as the original civic center bond would be worth around $87 million in today’s dollars. “What is all the extra money for? Isn’t there a way to do this cheaper, and make it better for people, and not require them to give so much of their money for something they’re likely not going to use? Why are they spending so much money?” he asked.KIRO host Spike O’Neill said that while he sees Jake’s point, he questioned whether scaling back would even be worth it.Spike noted that if the city splits the amount in half, that’s still a whopping $750 million. “What’s it gonna do?” Spike asked. “Is it going to make it any different than it is today, with regard to drawing people in?” If the city does end up investing $1.5 billion, Spike said the most important point is making sure residents actually benefit by turning Seattle Center into a true community hub. “Can you make it enough of an attraction, enough of a center of life?” Spike asked. “There’s gonna be more housing around there. They’re not making shorter buildings anytime they take something down. Can you make that $1.5 billion investment into Seattle Center enough of a vibrant heartbeat of a community to get it done right?” Jake’s recommendation is to reach out to a wealthy tech mogul, like Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk, and ask them to invest in the city. “I would spend $0 and instead — as the person who’s trying to get this done, as the mayor, whatever — as a big, giant win for the city, I would go and make some sort of a financial agreement with a massive tech investor who wants to be good with the community, as $1.5 billion for these people is almost nothing,” he said. ‘How can you ask people for $1.5 billion?’: Jake says city must address safety before new Seattle Center Harger: Seattle’s homeless crisis isn’t one problem. It’s three. And we’ve been spending billions pretending otherwise.Harger: Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson keeps making big announcements and leaving before the questions start Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has been busy. Big speeches. Big announcements. Big initiatives. She's two months into leading Seattle and moving fast. ‘Inventory is one of the biggest problems’: Gee backs idea to turn empty Seattle office building into apartments ‘We’re really proud of that’: Pierce County executive says crime, especially violent crime, is trending downChrystal Ortega's tireless dedication recently earned her the WSECU Community Champions Award and a $1,000 grant to further the mission.When Shawn Tibbitts opened Tibbitts FernHill, he was just trying to survive. The small Tacoma restaurant has since earned culinary awards and praise.Wilcox Family Farms is continuing its cherished holiday tradition of giving back by donating nearly one million eggs to food banks across the South Sound region this season.Matthew Ballantyne has transformed that early awareness into action, embodying the organization's mission:"No Kid Sleeps On The Floor In Our Town."Discover Kitsap County’s creative soul: Where Nordic charm meets gothic gardens and ancient traditions thrive Kitsap County is full of wonderfully weird, authentically artsy, and unexpectedly magical corners that make visitors become locals and locals never want to leave.
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