Stadium Plan May Be On Ballot

Thu., July 13, 1995

From Staff And Wire Reports

King County voters would be asked to approve a tax increase this September to help build a new stadium for the Seattle Mariners under a proposal offered by County Executive Gary Locke.

“It is time to let the voters play ball on this issue,” Locke said Wednesday.

Locke asked the Metropolitan County Council to put the proposal - which would ask county voters to increase the sales tax one-tenth of 1 percent - on the Sept. 19 primary election ballot.

Before it goes on the ballot, the measure must be approved by the County Council. The council has set a July 24 deadline to decide whether to proceed with a September election.

If the measure is approved by the voters, the new stadium would be ready for the 1999 American League season.

“It will ensure the survival of baseball in Seattle,” Locke said.

The measure would raise taxes about $9 a year for the average taxpayer.

The retractable-roof stadium would cost an estimated $280 million.

Money from the measure also would be used to pay for roof repairs and other improvements in the Kingdome, which is home to the Mariners and the NFL Seattle Seahawks.

The Mariners have said they do not plan on renewing the team’s 20-year lease with the Kingdome after it expires following the 1996 season. They have said they can’t make baseball work in the Kingdome and expect to lose $25 million this season.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.