Local transportation, environmental and labor interests, led by International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 19, support the city’s attempt to attract professional basketball back to Seattle, but they want the arena to be constructed somewhere else.
The ILWU filed a lawsuit, charging that the city of Seattle and King County violated the State Environmental Policy Act by choosing the site without considering alternative locations. The suit also charges that the city and county did not properly account for the environmental and traffic impact of operating another sports venue in the vicinity of the busy container terminal.
The Pacific Merchant Shipping Association has joined the ILWU, Washington state transportation committees, the Seattle Planning Commission, BNSF Railway, which has an intermodal yard in the vicinity, and other transportation interests in opposing construction of the arena south of downtown.