Originally published Saturday, January 26, 2008 at 12:00 AM

UW still seeking public funding

Despite apparently dimming prospects for public money to help fund a renovation of Husky Stadium, University of Washington officials said...

By Bob Condotta

Seattle Times staff reporter

Archive | Public funding for Husky Stadium appears dead

Despite apparently dimming prospects for public money to help fund a renovation of Husky Stadium, University of Washington officials said Friday they have just begun to fight.

"This thing is far from dead and it is far from done," said Scott Woodward, UW's interim athletic director.

Washington has proposed raising $150 million by extending an existing package of restaurant, hotel and rental-car taxes that is now paying off Safeco Field.

House Speaker Frank Chopp said Thursday that the proposal appears to have little support.

But Woodward said a UW contingent including himself, president Mark Emmert and football coach Tyrone Willingham will likely address the Legislature early next month. Woodward hopes the personal plea may change a few minds.

"We have a good case to make," he said, adding the school plans to point out that "we are big contributors to those taxes with our visiting fan base."

School officials have proposed raising $300 million total for a renovation of Husky Stadium, with the university raising the other half. They say the renovation is needed to make the stadium, originally built in 1920, safe and to keep the football program competitive.

For now, the school is basing its hopes on that proposal.

"We have no Plan B," Woodward said. "We're going to go forward and hopefully be successful this session and if not, we'll come right back next session."

Bob Condotta: 206-515-5699 or bcondotta@seattletimes.com

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