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I know many don't care about NHL, and almost all could give a rip about SEA, but I thought it was awesome to see that Kahn was involved in trying to bring an expansion NHL team to the Seattle area (specifically, Tukwila), by advising a guy (Jeff Bartoszek) who, after hiring Kahn missed deadlines and had his main investor pull out after a relatively heavy financial commitment.
As I read it, Bartoszek's investor bailed July 3, and Kahn (who was being paid by at least 9JUL, if not before) became the project reviewer. The leadership team did not respond to city planners or the mayor's offer of a Letter of Support, and they missed the deadline, even though they had paid 350k in fees.
You can't make this stuff up:
As I read it, Bartoszek's investor bailed July 3, and Kahn (who was being paid by at least 9JUL, if not before) became the project reviewer. The leadership team did not respond to city planners or the mayor's offer of a Letter of Support, and they missed the deadline, even though they had paid 350k in fees.
You can't make this stuff up:
Geoff Baker--Seattle Times said:The puck dropped last week on another season for the National Hockey League, with no immediate prospects of it coming to this region.
Around here, we specialize in dropping the ball, not the puck. At least, that’s how it appeared when arena groups in Sodo District, Tukwila and Bellevue failed to apply for NHL expansion by a July 20 deadline.
Lead investors pulled out in Tukwila and Bellevue ...(and) months of public records requests and interviews show that while the Sodo and Tukwila projects continue, Ray Bartoszek could soon be out as the Tukwila venture’s head honcho. Stay tuned.
...
In Tukwila, Bartoszek’s camp says his lead investor bailed around July 3.
Public records show that by July 9, Bartoszek had imported former NBA general manager David Kahn to review his project. Kahn teaches sports business at New York University and worked at the same law firm as NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. A source close to the project says Kahn continues as an unpaid consultant.
...
Tukwila officials were caught off guard when Bartoszek didn’t apply for a team. Records show Mayor Jim Haggerton and top city planners kept asking through the July 20 deadline whether Bartoszek needed a letter of support for his application.
Tukwila spokeswoman Rachel Bianchi says the city merely assumed Bartoszek was applying and nobody thought to confirm it.
By mid-July, Bartoszek agreed to pay up to $350,000 to the city for consulting fees, in $50,000 installments, as bills came due for environmental impact studies of the project. But projected expenses are now pushing those limits, meaning a renewed commitment from Bartoszek could be needed. I’m told we’ll know by month’s end whether he’ll continue on, depending on his landing new investor money.
If Bartoszek pulls out, Tukwila’s project could go the way of Bellevue’s.
http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/hockey/sodo-tukwila-arena-projects-continue-on-slow-path/

