Not too long ago Seattle, WA was home to the Seattle Supersonics, one of the most beloved NBA teams, for not only their players, but their jerseys and how involved their fans were. This team was ripped away from Seattle residents in 2008 as the organization failed to come up with enough money to fund a new stadium, and therefore moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Since then, Seattle residents, and other fans of basketball, have been begging to get their team back, whether from OKC or from an expansion draft. There have been a lot of rumbling going around that the NBA is thinking of expanding from 30 to 32 teams, and Seattle & Las Vegas are at the top of the list of possible locations. This is mainly due to them both getting NHL teams in recent history and having successful seasons in not only performance, but fan interactions and commitment. There has also been public backing from celebrities such as Russell Wilson (previous quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks) and Dwayne Wade (retired NBA player, most known for their time with the Miami Heat). It seems like everything is pointing in the direction of Seattle residents getting their wish, having the Supersonics back home.
With that said, a new NBA team coming to Seattle means the possibility of a new stadium being built. It is possible that the new team could play out of Climate Pledge Arena, where the new NHL team the Seattle Kraken play, but there is also a chance of them getting their own arena. This new arena would have to be built somewhere near, or in, Seattle that has room for expansion. Our group believes that this new area should be community based, rather than simply placing a stadium in the middle of a block with nothing but streets nearby. There is a somewhat new community similar to what we have envisioned, but north of the main city of Tacoma, WA. This new community is Point Ruston, Tacoma and has waterfront homes, restaurants, stores, public commodities, and more.
We envision a community that has complete streets that focus on people rather than transportation, ones with large sidewalks, bike lanes, plenty of trees and greenery, and some space for cars of the sort. We envision a community that has apartments and restaurants that are family owned or small business owned and has affordable shopping areas that families and tourists can go to. We envision a community that has public commodities such as art pieces, fountains, parks, playgrounds, and anything that can bring people together to enjoy the simple things in life. We believe that this new team can be a community builder rather than a money maker.
This idea of building community via sports connects to one of the four just sustainabilities: Improving people’s quality of life and wellbeing. Nothing improves the mental wellbeing and someone’s quality of life more than feeling connected to others and being a part of a community. This new stadium, and the community built around it, can foster that sense of being a part of something. It can bring families together to enjoy public spaces that are meant to be enjoyed. It can bring tourists in to see the beauty that Seattle has to offer. And it can create a welcoming atmosphere that allows everyone from all steps of life to feel welcomed with open arms. It doesn’t seem right to simply place a stadium in the middle of a block with nothing but roads around it. If there is a possibility to build a community that can bring everyone together, it seems like Seattle is the city to do it.
Check out this video to learn more about complete streets and communities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItkU5Rn4Ej8