Plan nearly in place for giant eyesore near Seattle City Hall
Jul 18, 2017, 11:50 AM | Updated: 11:53 am
The pit across the street from Seattle City Hall that has sat empty since the Public Safety Building was demolished in 2005 may finally have a purpose.
On Tuesday, Mayor Ed Murray sent legislation to the city council, which, if approved, would solidify an agreement with Bosa Development that will result in the sale of the property and a new high-rise and plaza, according to the Office of the Mayor.
The deal — if approved — follows years of failed agreements developers. The trouble began during former Mayor Greg Nickels’ administration, when Triad Development was offered the property for free, so long as the company built a civic square. That plan faltered and was ultimately killed in 2015.
The site, which can be seen on Google Earth, became Murray’s problem, which included avoiding a lawsuit by Triad.
The property between Third and Fourth avenues and James and Cherry streets would be sold for $16 million to Bosa Development. Under the agreement, Bosa would build a 25,000 square-foot plaza and street-level retail. The tower would consist of a single residential tower.
The city would retain the right to approve the final plaza design.
Construction is scheduled to begin by Jan. 1, 2019.
Bosa will have to pay $5.7 million in affordable-housing fees.
“As Seattle grows, we are working to ensure that happens in a way that is equitable, benefiting everyone who lives and works here,” Mayor Murray said. “This new Civic Square project agreement retains the public plaza envisioned nearly a decade ago and more importantly provides significant funding that the previous agreement did not. While we continue to revitalize our downtown core, adding open space and housing, the funding will support additional affordable housing and investments in communities most at risk for displacement.”
