"Should King County tear down the Kingdome and build a new football stadium?"
(asked at the Kirkland Library on 12-12-96; published in the EJ on 12-15-96)

Alexis Takacs, University student, Woodinville


"I think they should because the Kingdome is one of the ugliest structures in Seattle. We could benefit a lot from a new stadium. If we had a better stadium, we might have a better team -- but I could care less if they stay or go. Football doesn't matter to me at all."

Ted Cannon, Post-graduate student, Redmond


"I think if we can make the numbers work, I would be for it. The Mariners proved you can pack a stadium if you have a winning team. But making a winning team costs a lot of money... Yes, if we can justify it -- make it profitable -- yes, tear it down. The Kingdome's ugly, anyway."

Gregory Baker, Store manager, Kirkland


"No, they shouldn't, because the Kingdome is a perfectly good stadium. They could do repairs to the existing stadium and it would be fine. It seems like such a waste to tear down one stadium to build another. It just doesn't seem sensible."

Carla Gold, Art consultant, Kirkland


"Yes, because from what I understand, the current building isn't very safe. And a new facility would be good for the community, for business -- it would give people jobs."

Kelly Jue, High school student, Kirkland


"I think that partially depends on who pays for it -- if it's just the taxpayers, then I'm not sure that's such a good idea. The Kingdome still has quite a few years of use in it."

John Schwabacher, Software engineer, Redmond


"I don't think so, no. I just don't think it's worth it for football. I don't think football is important enough to spend that much money... I think Paul Allen is doing what he thinks is the right thing -- he's taking advantage of the situation he's in, the resources that he has. He has the power to do things most people don't do..."

© 1996 by the Bellevue, WA-based Eastside Journal (née Journal American) newspaper.

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