SEATTLE — Seattle Mayor Ed Murray moved Wednesday to end the city's partnership with Triad Development on the Civic Square project.
Civic Square is the big hole in the ground right across 4th Avenue from Seattle City Hall.
Triad Development was to buy the land from the city and build a skyscraper.
But Wednesday, Murray pledged to pull the plug on that partnership when the contract expires Dec. 31.
His decision came after City Council candidate Jon Grant accused a Triad senior vice president of promising to make a potential $200,000 dollars in campaign expenditure against Grant go away, if Grant would use his influence to end a Tenants Union lawsuit against the project.
“By Seattle standards it's pretty shocking and incredibly disappointing,” Murray said.
Grant's evidence includes a text message from Triad Senior Vice President Brett Allen asking for former Mayor Mike McGinn's help with Grant.
"Deadline is Monday @ noon - after which certain bad things can't be undone," one of the messages says.
“I expect more from the city of Seattle's business partners and I have no desire to develop this property with Triad,” Murray said.
Triad agreed to buy the land for $25 million during the Great Recession.
But an expert says the city could likely sell it for $50 million today.
In a statement, Triad's CEO Fred Grimm said: "The Mayor's comments this morning do not reflect who we are. These actions were not authorized nor in line with our values. … We severed ties with that employee yesterday."
Shawn Watson, who joined the Tenant's Union lawsuit against Triad because of the lack of low-income housing, said he “was a little stunned” by the mayor’s action.
“We've been hoping for some sort of action that was more favorable to Seattle than what we've seen so far,” Watson said.
Murray says the city has no evidence that Triad has secured financing or a building permit as required by the agreement.
But in his statement Trident’s CEO says the company “looks forward to fulfilling our obligations under our contract with the City and fully expect them to do the same.”