Metropolitan King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer released this statement after the Seattle City Council voted against the street vacation needed for the potential SODO sports arena:

“The 5-4 vote of the Council to break up the Hansen monopoly opens up other opportunities for potential NBA and NHL owners to come to the Seattle area.

“I commend the majority of the Seattle City Council for stepping back from the precipice of a potentially bad decision. Public policy should be based on fact, not fiction.

“For all of the fans who want the Supersonics back, there are options other than Chris Hansen. This decision creates opportunities to look at the other potential locations for an arena.

“If the city had committed to the Hansen vacation, it would have limited the potential sites.

“This is a vote that means there are now more opportunities—not just one.”