SEATTLE — An arena advisory committee formed to review a proposal for a new NBA/NHL arena in Seattle says the plan by San Francisco venture capitalist Chris Hansen is favorable, but that there are many issues to work through, including those raised by the Seattle Mariners.

The panel gave its recommendation for moving the proposal forward on Wednesday. The panel leaders say this will be a lengthy process with many hurdles to overcome but that the proposal contains the public protections that the city of Seattle and King County have sought.

As for the traffic concerns raised by the Mariners — whose Safeco Field would be next door to a new arena — panel member Maud Daudon says the new arena could spur needed infrastructure improvements in the area.