The city of Seattle has finally collected enough money in taxes to pay off debts for a stadium destroyed 15 years ago. But while it took over a decade to cobble together enough funds to finance the city’s Kingdome, USA Today reports the payment was actually made nine months early.
The famed Kingdome’s roof first started falling apart in 1994. It was was ordered to be shuttered immediately, while officials said it would cost millions of dollars in repair work. But in 2000, the city instead decided to implode the building, a feat broadcast on television.
Dwight Dively, the King County budget director, confirmed on Wednesday that Seattle collected enough in hotel and motel taxes to pay off the debt from the stadium’s initial construction. The Kingdome was the home of the Seattle Seahawks and the Seattle Mariners.
But USA Today notes that the deal isn’t finished quite yet. Instead, the money is being held in escrow until the end of the year. Any excess funds collected will be given to charity to boost arts and cultural programs in the city.