Inside the construction zone as Climate Pledge Arena takes shape

SEATTLE — Climate Pledge Arena is taking shape, with the bowl now visible where the Seattle Kraken and Seattle Storm will play next year.

Construction executive Ken Johnsen hosted the first media tour at the site since January, showing off significant progress.

As he brought reporters to an overlook, Johnsen made a prediction: “People will get goose bumps. This will be the best arena in the country.”

Johnsen said the cost of the privately funded arena now tops $950 million.

Amazon’s naming rights brought extra costs, as designers scrambled to dump plans for natural gas in favor of more climate-friendly electricity.

Soon, the work will shift from things like steel and concrete to electrical and plumbing.

Developers say the arena will be ready by late next summer or early fall — just in time for the beginning of the 2021-22 NHL season.

Cox Media Group

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