Is King County Council being shady?

An expansion of the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle may be a worthy project, but critics think the county may be being a little unfair in its dealings with current property owners at the site.

According to KING 5, the King County Council voted Monday to condemn the last piece of property required for the expansion project.

“Condemning the property is a tool used by government when efforts to negotiate a price with a landowner fails,” wrote KING 5 reporter John Langeler.

But KIRO Radio host Ron Upshaw thinks such a move by the county is a little too hardball.

He said the project might benefit the public, but the landowner should get a fair deal and be compensated appropriately.

The landowner of the disputed property has reportedly been offered $2.9 million, but would like to get $1,000 a square foot for the 4,100 square foot piece of land.

Ron said he’d be OK with the owners getting even more than market value.

“I think it should be more than the asking price per square foot because you’re taking away not only the land but the business that sits on the land and the income generation for that family.”

Ron said the property owners are essentially being forced to do something they don’t want to do, so they should be given what they want.

“If it’s a $1.4 billion project, then give them their asking price as long as it’s within reason.”

Co-host Don O’Neill said it’s important the area get a better convention center. KING 5 reports that because the current setup is too small, the convention center missed out on 300 opportunities in the last five years. But Ron and Don believe the landowners should be treated fairly in the negotiations.