Seattle council green lights new Seattle Storm training facility in Interbay

Sue Bird # 10 of Seattle Storm High Fives Breanna Stewart # 30 during the first half of the WNBA game against the Phoenix Mercury on July 9, 2021 in Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen / Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen / Getty Images)

A bill passed by Seattle City Council on Monday paves the way for the construction of a Seattle Storm training facility at the Ballard-Interbay-Northend Manufacturing / Industrial Center (BINMIC).

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The bill changes size restrictions and parking requirements for indoor sports and recreational uses in the industrial area. The law was promoted by Mayor Jenny Durkan and councilors Dan Strauss and Debora Juarez.

“By passing this legislation, a team like Seattle Storm can build local facilities, including in Interbay,” Durkan said in a press release. “Seattle prides itself on being the home of four-time champions Seattle Storm and legendary sports leaders like Sue Bird who inspire our community both on and off the pitch. With the new Climate Pledge Arena and a new exercise facility, we can ensure that generations of young girls and our city will cheer on the Seattle Storm for years to come. “

This proposal would allow Storm – or any other company – to build an exercise facility in Seattle, Strauss explained, but it does not change the zoning or permitted uses within the zones. Strauss is chairman of the Land Use and Neighborhood Committee.

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The Storm currently shares a practice facility at Seattle Pacific University.

The bill would amend Section 23.50.027 to allow indoor sports and recreational uses of up to 50,000 square feet on General Industrial properties in the BINMIC as long as they meet a number of characteristics including: at least 150 feet from shore; within 300 feet of a neighborhood business park or Seattle Mixed Zones; within a quarter of a mile from a park with active recreational uses such as sports fields or sports fields; and not within one mile of any other indoor sport or recreational use in the BINMIC that exceeds 25,000 square feet.