Safeco Field

March 30, 1994 - King County Executive Gary Locke appoints a 28-member task force to assess the need for, cost, potential location and advisability of public investment in a new Major League Baseball stadium.

January 1995 - Stadium Alternative Task Force recommends public involvement in financing a new MLB stadium.

September 19, 1995 - A proposal to increase the sales tax by .01% in King County to pay for construction of a new ballpark is narrowly defeated by voters.

October 14, 1995 - Special session of the state legislature authorizes a different funding package for a new stadium including a credit against the state sales tax, sale of special stadium license plates, lottery funds, food & beverage tax in King County restaurants and bars and car rental surcharge in King County, and ballpark admissions tax.

October 23, 1995 - King County Council votes to approve funding package and to establish the Washington State Major League Baseball Public Facilities District to own the ballpark and manage the construction project.. January 29, 1996 - Seattle-based NBBJ is chosen by the PFD Board as architect.

April 1996 - Hunt-Kiewit is chosen by the PFD Board as the general contractor for construction of the ballpark.

September 9, 1996 - Ballpark site is selected south of the Kingdome.March 8, 1997 - 30,000 fans turn out as Ken Griffey Jr. helps officially break ground for the new ballpark.

June 4, 1998 - Naming rights for ballpark sold for $40 million to Seattle-based Safeco Corporation. Ballpark named Safeco Field. July 15, 1999 - A capacity crowd of 47,000 attends the Inaugural Game against the San Diego Padres. The Padres win 3-2.