KeyArena renovation to cost more than originally expected
SEATTLE (AP) — Renovating KeyArena will cost $100 million more than previously expected as project leaders attempt to make it fully ready for an expected NHL franchise and possibly a future NBA team.
Oak View Group announced Tuesday it had selected Skanska and AECOM Hunt to partner together as the general contractor for the $700 million project.
The project was originally expected to cost $600 million, but Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke said costs increased for several reasons, including putting in permanent locker rooms for the expected NHL franchise, the WNBA’s Seattle Storm and a permanent locker room for a potential NBA franchise.
Leiweke said there was also an additional 50,000 square feet added for storage and a premium club space was added at the top of the building with a view of the Space Needle.
“That building you see today is not the building we designed a year ago,” Leiweke said, pointing at a rendering of the new arena. “We wanted the NBA and the NHL to be able to come into this building and do a couple of things … we wanted capacity that would ultimately make sure we meet…