from Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times,

A deal surrounding a proposed $600 million renovation of KeyArena for NHL and NBA use was approved Monday by a Seattle City Council vote.

The council voted 7-1 to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between the city and the Los Angeles-based Oak View Group to complete the renovation as early as October 2020. Council member Mike O’Brien cast the lone “No” vote. Council member Lorena Gonzalez was not in attendance.

An environmental impact study already has begun on the project and could be approved by next year so construction can begin.

With the deal in place, the NHL is expected in coming months to make a franchise announcement regarding Seattle. The league could award an expansion franchise or have a team relocate here from an existing market struggling to have a new arena built — with Arizona or Calgary the two most likely franchises.

contnued