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Coordinates: 47°35′43″N 122°19′54″W / 47.59528°N 122.33167°W / 47.59528; -122.33167
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Qwest Field
Map
Former namesSeahawks Stadium (2002–2004)
Location800 Occidental Avenue S.
Seattle, Washington 98134
USA
Coordinates47°35′43″N 122°19′54″W / 47.59528°N 122.33167°W / 47.59528; -122.33167
OwnerWashington State Public Stadium Authority
OperatorFirst & Goal Inc
Capacity67,000 (NFL) (expandable to 72,000 for special events)
32,400 (MLS) (expandable to 67,000 for special events)
Field sizeFootball: 120 x 55.3 yd
(109.7 x 50.6 m)
Soccer: 114 x 74 yd
(104.2 x 67.7 m)
SurfaceFieldTurf
Scoreboard84 x 24 ft and 44 x 50 ft
Construction
Broke groundApril 2000
OpenedJuly 28, 2002
Construction cost$430 million (entire complex)
ArchitectEllerbe Becket
Structural engineerSkilling Ward Magnusson Barkshire
General contractorTurner Construction Company
Tenants
Seattle Seahawks (NFL) (2002–present)
Seattle Sounders (USL 1) (2003–2007)
Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) (2009–present)

Qwest Field is a multi-purpose stadium in Seattle, Washington, USA. It serves as the home field for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League and Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer. The complex also consists of the WaMu Theater, a parking garage, and large public plaza. Along with sporting events, the venue hosts concerts, trade shows, and consumer shows.

Voters approved funding for a new stadium and events center in a statewide election held on June 17, 1997. Paul Allen was heavily involved in the design process and emphasized the importance of an open air venue with an intimate atmosphere.[1] Qwest Field has seating for 67,000 and has the capacity to add another 5,000 for special events

The stadium is notoriously loud during Seahawks games.[2] The noise has contributed to the team's home field advantage and an increase in false start penalties against visiting teams.[3] Qwest Field also hosts college and high school football games.

Qwest Field was also designed for soccer, and the first sporting event at the stadium was a USL Seattle Sounders game. The USL team began regularly using the stadium for home games in 2003 and the MLS expansion team, Seattle Sounders FC, began its inaugural season with a home game in 2009.[4]

Funding

Following the failure of a 1995 county bond issue to both build a new stadium for the Seattle Mariners and to rehabilitate the Kingdome for football, Seahawks' owner Ken Behring consequently threatened to sell or move the franchise. Paul Allen pledged to acquire the team if a new stadium could be built and paid for a state-wide special election to authorize construction.[5] It was pitched to voters as being a home for the Seahawks and to be utilized for top-level soccer.[6] The stadium plan was approved by about 50 percent of the voters, with a difference of 36,700 votes out of 1.6 million cast. It was later unsuccessfully challenged in court.[5][7]

The vote also created a public-private partnership.[6] The Washington State Public Stadium Authority was created to oversee public ownership of the stadium, exhibition center, and parking garage complex. Paul Allen purchased the Seahawks and formed First & Goal Inc to build and operate the facility. The company paid for $130 million of the project while the remainder was paid through a public funding package which included new sports related state lottery games, taxes on stadium admissions and parking, sales tax credits and deferrals, and an eight-year extension of the two percent tax on hotel rooms in King County.[8] First & Goal Inc managed construction and currently operate facilities.[9]

In September 1998, First & Goal Inc signed a lease that "runs 30 years and includes options to extend for 20 more."[10] Per the agreement, the Public Stadium Authority receives $850,000 a year (adjusted for inflation) for the lease and First & Goal keeps all revenue from the stadium and parking garage. The company also receives 80% of the revenue from the exhibition center while the other 20% is allotted to a state education fund. Along with operating the venue, the company is responsible for maintenance and repair costs.[9] However, when the bonds used to build the stadium are completely paid for in 2021, the tax on admission will increase to 10% for maintenance purposes.[11]

Construction and layout

Ellerbe Becket, in association with Loschky Marquardt & Nesholm Architects of Seattle, designed the 1,500,000 sq ft (140,000 m2) project. Allen was heavily involved and focused on the new stadium providing an intimate atmosphere.[1] Designed by Loschky Marquardt & Nesholm Architects, the exhibition center took 14 months to plan.[12]

In September 1998, construction began on the new exhibition center and parking garage. By October 1999, the exhibition center was open and hosting public events.[12] On March 26, 2000, to make way for what was then being called Seahawks Stadium, the Kingdome fell in the world's largest implosion of a single concrete structure.[13] 97% percent of the Kingdome rubble was recycled with 35% used as fill for the new stadium. The soft soil of the site was a challenge since it was once mudflats until public works projects in the early 20th century adjusted the waterline of nearby Elliot Bay. The stadium complex sits on over 1,700 pilings driven 50 to 70 ft below the ground to form what is essentially a “pier” for the foundation. The soil concerns, temperature effects, and the potential for earthquakes required the stadium to be built in eight jointed together sections with separate structures being completed for the adjoining exhibition center and parking garage.[14]

Another obstacle during design was the relativity small site for an NFL stadium.[15] Upper-level seats were cantilevered over the lower sections to fit within the limited space. This, along with angling the seats and bringing the lower sections closer to the field, provided a better view of the field than typically seen throughout the country.[16] The project was completed within the $430 million budget and a month ahead of schedule.[17]

A stadium under construction with two cranes positioned where the field will eventually be installed. The terraced seating sections rise above the partially complete concourse levels and half of the roof is in place.
The stadium under construction in 2001

The configuration of Qwest Field is a U-shape with the north end left open. This provides views of downtown Seattle and the complex's large north plaza. The end also has a 13-story tower. The designers intended for the structure to visually compliment the visible Seattle skyline.[18] It has a vertically orientated scoreboard at the top and bleacher seating for 3,000, called the "Hawks Nest", at the base. The vertical display is the first of its kind in the NFL.[15] Qwest Field is also the first to have luxury suites on the field directly behind the north end zone. The south end was also left partially open to allow views of Mount Rainier. Qwest Field was completed with seating for 67,000 and allows for 5,000 to be added for special events. The stadium has and 111 suites and over 7,000 club seats. The stadium also has 1,400 seats for fans with disabilities and their companions located throughout different sections.[16]

Paul Allen rejected plans for a retractable roof to make the stadium open to the elements, provide views of the surrounding Seattle area, and reduce costs.[15] The roof, at 210,000 sq ft (20,000 m2), protects 70 percent of the seats from the elements. The design comprises two distinctive arched roofs which span the length of the stadium. The overhanging design has trusses that rise 260 ft above the field. The 5,200 ton roof spans 720 ft between concrete pylon supports at the north and south ends of the stadium.[19] The roof has a damper system which disconnects it from the support pylons so it is able to slide independently of the structure in the event of an earthquake. This system has been used at the base of small buildings and in some bridges, but this is the world’s first use in a large-scale roof.[14]

The exterior of the stadium consists of salmon colored concrete and is partially clad with red brick on the west side of the structure. The east side of the building prominently features large glass curtain wall. The coloring and facade was intended to blend with the older buildings in neighboring Pioneer Square but the exterior was not completed with brick to reduce costs.[15] The roof was painted white to aesthetically distinguish it from both Safeco Field's and the nearby industrial area.[18]

Surface

The interior of a stadium from the upper tier behind the south end zone during the day. The end zones and seating sections are colored blue. At the north end is a smaller seating area at the base of a tower. Several high-rise office buildings are in the distance.
The original surface in 2005

Qwest Field was the first ground in the NFL to install the FieldTurf artificial surface.[1] The turf was replaced in the spring of 2008 due to safety concerns caused by the infill becoming compressed and the color of the field fading. A one inch poured rubber foundation was added to prevent the infill from compressing again. FieldTurf won the bid for the six-week project over Polytan. $500,000 was used from the Qwest naming rights agreement while First & Goal Inc paid for the remaining undisclosed amount.[20]

Information backing the 1997 state referendum said the stadium would "feature a natural grass surface",[21] but FieldTurf was not an option when the stadium was originally presented to voters. After playing on FieldTurf at Husky Stadium during the 2000 and 2001 seasons, the Seahawks management reconsidered and installed the artificial turf. Seahawks management said it had advantages over natural grass including easier maintenance and more appropriate for the amount of precipitation typically seen in the later part of the year.[15] Mike Holmgren, the coach of the Seahawks at the time, said that the installation was the right decision and stated that "the players love it".[22]

Soccer players and managers typically prefer grass surfaces so the decision caused concern with both the Washington State Public Stadium Authority and soccer fans. They asserted that voters had approved the facility with the understanding that it would host events beyond football.[22] In a compromise, First & Goal Inc agreed to pay for grass to be installed for special events when needed.[20] To further accommodate the sport, the ends of the field were also squared instead of rounded to allow a regulation size soccer field. Sloping on the field required for drainage of water was also reduced as much as possible to prevent balls from running towards the sidelines.[23]

There have been various opinions on the artificial surface as well as the temporary grass installations in regards to use for soccer matches. In 2008, Dunga, the coach for Brazil during the team's 3–2 win over Canada at the stadium, commented that one of the reasons for the team's unexpectedly poor performance was the loosely installed grass field.[24] The Grenada national football team struggled to cope with the artificial surface during their loss during the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Several players experienced cramping in the latter stages of the match.[25] Sunil Gulati, president of the U.S. Soccer Federation, has said that the FieldTurf would not prevent Qwest Field from hosting a World Cup match if the country is chosen to host the finals tournament in 2018 or 2022.[26] In July 2009, the federation chose D.C. United's home field over Qwest Field for the 2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The general manager of D.C. United speculated that RFK Stadium's grass field was one of the reasons his team had a stronger bid.[27]

Football

Seahawks

A stadium filled with spectators with two football teams on the field between a play.
A 2006 Seahawks game

While the new stadium was being constructed, the Seahawks moved to the University of Washington's Husky Stadium. The Seahawks christened their new facility on August 11, 2002 in a 28–10 preseason loss to the Indianapolis Colts.[28]

Prior to its opening in 2002, Paul Allen and Bob Whitsitt said that they hoped the new stadium would help turn the Seahawks into a Super Bowl contender; and Seattle would be considered to host a Super Bowl.[1] The teams performances improved in 2003, as they went through the season undefeated at the stadium]]. It was the first time they won 10 games in a single season for 17 years.[29] The first playoff game at Qwest Field was on January 8, 2005, when the St. Louis Rams beat the Seahawks for the third time in the 2004–05 season.[30] In the following 2005 season, the Seahawks went undefeated at Qwest Field while winning their first-ever NFC Championship.[31] They lost in Super Bowl XL to the Pittsburgh Steelers later that season. In the 2006 season, the Seahawks won the Wild Card game at the stadium over the Dallas Cowboys; 21–20 after Tony Romo botched and fumbled the snap of a potential game-winning field goal—attempted by Martin Gramatica with about a minute remaining in the fourth quarter.[32]

Qwest Field continuously sells out for Seahawks games.[33] In 2008, the team sold 61,000 season tickets. The season saw the 14,000 single game tickets not already allotted sold out within 15 minutes of becoming available.[34] The biggest crowd ever to attend a Seahawks game at Qwest Field was 68,331 on November 12, 2007 against the San Francisco 49ers.[35]

Home field advantage

Qwest Field has earned a reputation for being the loudest stadium in the NFL.[36][2] The seating decks and partial roof direct exceptional amounts of crowd noise onto the field.[37] The north end zone bleachers are the lowest-priced tickets and seat the most vocal fans. Because they are bleachers, the Hawks Nest seats are constructed of metal which reflects the noise onto the field.[38] Seahawks fans already had a reputation for being among the most vociferous in the NFL when they played in the Kingdome.[39]

A blue flag with a white number 12 flies against a clear sky. Expansive roof trusses are behind the flagpole.
The 12th Man flag

Tod Leiweke was hired as the Seahawks' new CEO in 2003 and had a large flagpole installed in the south end. It flies a flag showing a number 12 on a blue background to salute the fans as the "12th man".[40] A pregame tradition in which a local celebrity, sometimes a former Seahawk, raises the flag is a regular feature of network television coverage of Seahawks games. The team had already retired the number in honor of their fans in the 1980s.

Before the 2005 NFC Championship Game against the Carolina Panthers at the stadium, the Panthers practiced with the recorded sound of jet engines in the background.[41] The decibel level recorded by Fox Sports telecast producers reached 137 dB during the game which Seattle won 34–14.[42]

Qwest Field gained national attention during a game against the New York Giants in 2005 when the Giants missed three field goals, allowing the Seahawks to make the game-winning field goal in overtime. The ball is now displayed at the stadium.[39] The Seahawks were accused of pumping in artificial noise through the PA system in order to distract visiting offenses. League officials did not find evidence to support the allegation.[37]

Since 2005, the Seahawks have tracked the number of false start penalties and displays the total on the scoreboard to motivate the fans to make noise when the opposing offense is attempting to run a play. Crowd noise contributed to a league-high 24 false-start penalties in 2005 alone.[43]

NCAA

Qwest Field has hosted several college football games. The hometown Washington Huskies played an "away" opening game of the season in the stadium in 2005 which was lost to the Air Force Falcons in Tyrone Willingham's first game as head coach.[44] The Washington Huskies will likely play at Qwest Field if Husky Stadium is upgraded. The Seahawks have also told the Huskies they can play their football games at the stadium in 2010 or 2011 if Husky Stadium is upgraded.[45]

The stadium has hosted a Washington State Cougars non-conference "home game" each year since its opening in 2002, including the 2003 "Battle of the Palouse" against the Idaho Vandals. The Cougars won five of the eight games with crowds ranging from 42,912 to 63,588.[46] The deal with First & Goal Inc expired after a September 2009 loss to the University of Hawaii. Qwest Field is about Template:Mi to km from the university but the the team has indicated that the game and related events could possibly continue in the future.[47]

Bowl games have also been played and reintroducing them to the stadium is being considered. The 2002 Seattle Bowl between Wake Forest and Oregon was played at the stadium with Wake Forest winning 38–17. The bowl game was played at Safeco Field the previous year and was discontinued when financing could not be secured before 2003. A promoter and First & Goal Inc considered reviving the game in 2004 which did not come to fruition.[48] In April 2009, the idea of hosting the annual Apple Cup between the Seattle based Huskies and the Pullman based Cougars at Qwest Field for six years beginning in 2010 was taken into consideration. The two programs could not reach an agreement on how to divide tickets. Fans and Pullman's business community also expressed concerns about having the game in Seattle.[49] The Seattle Sports Commission is pushing for a proposal of a new bowl game. In 2008, a business plan was begun for a game in 2010 that would be a fundraiser for Seattle Children's Hospital.[50]

Lower division NCAA tames have also played at the stadium throughout the years. From 2003 to 2008, the NCAA Division II football teams of Western Washington Vikings and Central Washington Wildcats met each year at Qwest Field in an intense rivalry game called "The Battle in Seattle". Central won all but the 2004 game. The games attracted more than 11,000 fans every year.[51] The games did not continue after Western Washington canceled its football program in 2009. The Division I Eastern Washington University Eagles announced that they will play a "home game" at Qwest Field in 2009 in the hope of drawing alumni from the Seattle area.[52] The "Showdown on the Sound" versus the Portland State Vikings will take place on October 31, 2009.[53]

High school

Mounted on a wall is an outline of the state of Washington filled with football field "gridiron" pattern. A football shaped piece is attached with hundreds of different football helmets mounted to it
The State of Football artwork

Qwest Field has become known as one of the premier venues for the top prep teams in the nation to display their talents.[54] The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association puts on the annual Emerald City Kickoff Classic at the stadium. The event is a season opening series of games between some of the best teams in the state.[55]

It also features a meeting between one of the best teams in Washington and one of the best from another state. On September 4, 2004, a state high school event record crowd of over 25,000 attended the "Best of the West" game of the series between Washington's Bellevue High School and De La Salle High School of Concord, California. Bellevue broke De La Salle's national-record 151-game winning streak in a 39–20 win.[56]

After the organizer of the event announced a match up between the powerhouses of Sammamish, Washington's Skyline and Beaverton, Oregon's Jesuit high schools in 2009, he said that he has proposed the possibility of televising games to Fox Sports who have not yet shown interest.[57] Skyline went on to shutout Jesuit 17–0 during September's Emerald City Classic.[58]

Within Qwest Field, there is a Seahawks tribute to high school football of the State of Washington. A section of the Stadium entitled The State of Football, features a large depiction of the State of Washington and holds replica football helmets from every high school football team in the State. The art is part of the nearly $1.75 million Stadium Art Program commissioned through First & Goal's lease of the facility.[10]

Soccer

A stadium from directly above. The two roof sections are bright white with the Qwest Field logo painted on each. The field has the lines of a soccer field.
A 2007 satellite image of the stadium with a soccer field

Qwest Field was also designed for soccer.[1] The stadium meets FIFA sight line requirements and provides separate locker rooms for soccer teams. Camera locations were designed for optimal television coverage of the sport.[59] The lower bowl was designed to accommodate a pitch that meets FIFA size requirements by squaring off the ends.[23]

Numerous exhibition games have taken place at the Qwest Field with high-profile clubs such as Manchester United, Celtic, Real Madrid, and Chelsea coming to Seattle. National teams such as Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, and China have also played exhibition games at the stadium. The artificial turf has been replaced with grass before international soccer matches since it is preferred over artificial surfaces for the sport.[60]

Qwest Field was the site of Group B's opening round of the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup between the national teams of the United States, Costa Rica, Canada, and Cuba. Two matches of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup opening round were also played at the stadium on July 4, 2009. The United States had a comfortable victory over Grenada, who were playing in their first major international competition, 4–0.[25] The success of such tournaments has bolstered the city's bid to host games for other competitions and Qwest Field is among the 58 facilities in the United States being considered for World Cup matches if the country hosts the finals tournament in 2018 or 2022.[61] Sunil Gulati of the U.S. Soccer Federation stated that Qwest Field was "a world-class facility"[26] when discussing Seattle as a good candidate. The stadium will host the 14th Major League Soccer final on November 22, 2009, becoming the eighth stadium to host a match.[62]

Sounders (USL)

On July 28, 2002, the Seattle Sounders of the USL played the first sporting-event at the stadium. They beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 4–1 in front of 25,515 fans. The USL team began using the facility regularly as their home field in 2003. Team management was concerned with the high rent and the underutilized seating capacity but were drawn by the improved sponsorship opportunities and location closer to downtown. The Sounders averaged 2,583 while playing at Memorial Stadium in 2002 versus 3,452 fans at the new stadium in 2003.[63]

The Sounders won the 2005 championship in front of a crowd of 8,011. They beat the Richmond Kickers in a 2–1 match decided by a penalty shootout. The final goal was scored by Scott Jenkins who announced his retirement after the game.[64]

In 2008, Sounders FC developed the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila and the USL team played most of the 2008 season at the updated facility. At the time, the USL team's management thought that practicing and playing at Starfire could provide more continuity and a smoother transition for those hoping to play for the new MLS franchise.[65] The last match at Qwest Field was the 2008 season opener against the rival Portland Timbers. The game ended in a scoreless draw in front of 10,184 fans.[66]

Sounders FC

Fans inside a stadium awaiting the start of the team introductions and national anthem. The lower tier is filled while tarps with images of soccer players cover the upper sections. Many fans have green scarves raised above their heads.
Before a Sounders FC game at the stadium

The potential of drawing an MLS expansion team helped drive public support for building the stadium.[67] Seattle was considered for one of the 10 original MLS teams, however, the region lacked an adequate outdoor stadium.[68] The first Sounders FC regular season match was at the stadium on March 19, 2009. The first goal was scored by Fredy Montero in a 3–0 Seattle victory.[69]

All 22,000 season ticket packages offered by the team were sold before the opening of the season which gave the team the most season ticket holders in MLS.[70] The team created a web site that was used to identify seating arrangements for season ticket holders based on personal interests including preferred method for watching a game and foreign team preference.[71] For the first half of the inaugural season, the upper bowl of the stadium and some of the lower bowl was tarped off leaving a seating capacity of 27,700 to provide a more intimate feel.[72] The stadium was designed to easily expand in stages. After repeated sold out crowds, it was announced that additional seating would be made available which increased the capacity to 32,400.[73] A match against Barcelona on August 5, 2009, set the state's attendance record for a soccer game at 66,848.[74]

Like the Seahawks, the Sounders are beginning to receive attention for sell out crowds and boisterous fans.[75] The Seattle Times reported that a "new standard for attendance and game-day atmosphere has been set"[76] due to the sell out crowds of loud fans. The passionate Emerald City Supporters have dubbed the general admission sections behind the south goal the "Brougham End" during games.

The field is entitled "The Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field" as part of a sponsorship deal with Microsoft. Qwest Field was the first in MLS to use low-height LED signage around the field.[23]

Other events

The Rolling Stones, Metallica, and other large acts have performed at Qwest Field. The stadium is also hosts both trade and consumer shows. The Qwest Field Events Center was built adjacent to the stadium for $70 million. The facility connects to the stadium's west field plaza and consists of two exhibition halls, a conference room, and a concourse level.[12] The events center hosts pre-game events for the Seahawks and Mariners. According to the Public Stadium Authority's website, Qwest Event Center contributes more than half a billion dollars to the region's economy.[77]

The events center had previously been called "the worst venue in town" for concerts but in 2006, AEG Live and First & Goal Inc formed a partnership to create the newly branded "WaMu Theater".[78] The new theater space is assembled on an as needed basis within the building. The 104 ft wide stage and other equipment can be dismantled and stored in the stadium. Panels on the ceiling and a large curtain were installed to improve acoustics. Depending on the seating configuration, the capacity can be 3,300, 4,000, or 7,000. Seal performed at the inaugural concert on November 6, 2006.[79] It has since hosted other high profile shows such as Dolly Parton, Daft Punk, The Killers, and Cyndi Lauper.[80]

The facilities have been used for public speaking engagements. The 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, Tenzin Gyatso, delivered a 28-minute speech at the stadium on April 12, 2008. 50,817 attended the event which was part of the five-day Seeds of Compassion conference held in Seattle.[81] Michelle Obama spoke to a crowd of about 1,600 at the events center during a fundraising event for governor Christine Gregoire's 2008 reelection campaign.[82]

Facility contracts

The stadium was originally named Seahawks Stadium. It was changed to Qwest Field in June 2004 after Qwest bought the naming rights for $75 million for a period of fifteen years.[83] The proceeds must be used for maintenance and upgrades according to the agreement. A portion from any profit then go into a $10 million fund Allen guaranteed for youth playfields.[84]

Qwest Field is one of the few professional sports stadiums in the United States that does not have a beverage contract with Coca-Cola or Pepsi. Seattle-based Jones Soda is currently the official drink of Qwest Field and is served at the concession stands.[85] The stadium has 48 concession stands and restaurant seating for 500. Along with typical fare, local Pacific salmon sandwiches, Dungeness crab cakes, and microbrews are served.[86] In 2006, Levy Restaurants replaced Aramark in a five year deal to provide the food and beverage service for the stadium and exhibition center.[87]

In 2006, the theater was branded the "WaMu Theater" in a 10-year naming rights deal with Washington Mutual. It is unclear if JPMorgan Chase or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation obtained the naming rights after the failure of Washington Mutual but the name is not expected to be changed without a new sponsor.[88]

Transportation

The last commuter train at a train station with a brightly lit stadium nearby. The stadium's roof supports are colored with green and red lights for the Christmas season.
A train at nearby King Street Station after a game

Qwest Field is bordered by the Pioneer Square, International District, and Industrial District neighborhoods of Seattle. A Transportation Management Program for coordinating transportation options was a condition of the stadium's approval and later a provision to ease gridlock was required by First & Goal's lease of the facility.[10] A “Dual Event Agreement” with Safeco Field was established in an attempt to prevent two events with a combined attendance of over 58,000 occurring within 4 hours of each other.[89] The plan was also implemented to coordinate mass transit to the stadiums on game days. Local and regional buses service the area with stops within three blocks of the stadium. Metro offers express bus service from several area park and ride lots for Seahawks games. Commuter rail running between Tacoma and Everett also operates every Sunday Seahawks game with service to nearby King Street Station. In 2008, the commuter trains carried 64,000 event goers to the two nearby stadiums. Amtrak, primarily the Pacific Northwest corridor's Cascades route, also serves the station. On July 18, 2009, light rail service between SeaTac and downtown began in time for an exhibition match between the Sounders and Chelsea. Overflow tracks at the $4 million station accommodate extra trains during events.[90]

Qwest Field is near the junction of Interstates 5 and 90. The parking garage has capacity for 2,000 cars while an estimated 8,400 spaces are available in surrounding lots. The north lot is to be developed with condominiums and apartments. The developer must replace the 500 parking spots it will displace and turn over parking revenue to the Public Stadium Authority per the deal with King County.[91]

The State Route 519 corridor connects I-90 to the neighborhood. Local governments compromised with both the Seahawks and Mariners on where to construct new ramps over the train tracks that run along the east sides of Qwest and Safeco Fields. An overpass will be built for the road bordering the south edge of the Qwest Field complex, S Royal Brougham Way, to improve access and safety. The project is scheduled for completion in June 2010.[92]

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External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Qwest Field.
Preceded by Home of the
Seattle Seahawks
since 2002 		Succeeded by
current
Preceded by Home of the
Seattle Sounders (USL)
2003–2007 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
first stadium
 Home of
Seattle Sounders FC
since 2009 		Succeeded by
current
Preceded by Host of the
MLS Cup
2009 		Succeeded by
current

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