County votes to sell land near Gas Works Park for possible development

Despite objections from a vocal group of Wallingford residents, the King County Council voted yesterday to begin accepting bids to sell a piece of public property near Gas Works Park.

The land, valued at $4.3 million, is more than an acre and a half just northwest of the park, with sweeping views of the city.

At least one developer, Seattle-based Touchstone Corp., has expressed interest in buying the property, often referred to as the "tank farm" site because it was once used as a bulk fuel terminal.

Metro Transit, which operates a repair facility there, has argued that the sale of the land could give it an infusion of cash it desperately needs to help replace an aging fleet of vehicles and avoid having to raise bus fares in the near future.

But many local residents have objected to the sale, fearing that a developer will erect tall buildings, blocking some residents' views and dashing their hopes of one day building a community center at the site.

No public testimony was allowed at yesterday's meeting, but dozens of Wallingford residents attended, anyway, pinning blue "Friends of the Tank Farm" signs to their shirts in a show of solidarity.

The county's action yesterday was a preliminary step, designed to gauge interest among local developers, said council spokesman Al Sanders.

Potential bidders have two options: pay the county at least $3 million and offer to cover costs of relocating the Metro repair facility, or offer the county a straight cash payment of at least $4.3 million.

King County Executive Ron Sims and county staff members had asked for the minimum cash bid to be no less than $11 million to reflect fair market value. But Councilman Bob Ferguson, who represents the area, persuaded the council to lower the minimum cash bid for the property to $4.3 million.

Ferguson, who cast the lone vote against the ordinance, stressed the importance of keeping the land in the public domain. "This is a unique property; to say that it has views is an understatement," he said. "Once this property is gone, it's gone."

Several other council members voted for the ordinance, but did so grudgingly.

"One of my fundamental beliefs is that our government should not give up land, because we cannot get it back," said Councilwoman Carolyn Edmonds. She said she wished the city would have offered to become a partner with the county to build a community center. "But ... without the city of Seattle, we can't accomplish our vision. It's that simple."

Bids will be accepted through May, and the council would have to approve any final sale.

Touchstone Corp. is considered by many to have the inside track on the bidding process. President Douglas Howe said yesterday that his company would "absolutely" be interested in bidding on the land.

"We feel it's a good site for a commercial project, and feel it would be a good fit for the neighborhood," he said. The current Metro repair facility is an "eyesore," he said. "I'm sure a lot of people would like to see it go."


		Joshua Trujillo / P-I
	The King County Council voted this week to begin accepting bids to sell public property housing a Metro Transit repair facility near Gas Works Park. Wallingford residents fear that a large commercial development on the site will block views and preclude creation of a community center there. (Editor's Note: The original photo with this story showed an incorrect property.)

He declined to discuss specifics for his company's proposed plans for the site, but said residents should be somewhat reassured by the fact that zoning regulations prohibit buildings in that area from being taller than 45 feet.

Karen Buschow, a Wallingford Community Council member and a leader of the opposition to the sale, said she was disappointed by the council's decision. But, she said, the fight is far from over.

She and other residents plan to explore other options, such as working with the Seattle Parks Department to secure grants to help buy the land for a community center. While the mayor has not proposed allocating any money for the project, that doesn't mean grant money is not available or that the city wouldn't support the project, she said.

"It was really clear that we need to bring (the council) more information about a partnership with the city," she said. "A partnership is still possible."

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