Earlier today Mayor Murray announced that the City would not be pursuing a Civic Center Project contract renewal with Triad Capital Partners after their involvement in an apparent “shake down” of City Council candidate, Jon Grant.

“There were accounts this week in the media about Triad Development and its recent actions in a City Council race. I am extremely disappointed by these questionable actions – they do not represent the values of our city. Seattle expects and deserves better,” said Mayor Murray.

The Seattle Times released a story earlier this week that reported Jon Grant saying Triad Capital Partners senior vice president, Brett Allen, approached him at a campaign event and asked for a meeting to discuss ways a lawsuit against Triad could “go away.”

Triad secured a contract with the city in 2007 to construct the Civic Square Project west of Town Hall. The contract is set to expire Dec.31.

“This contract was executed in 2007 by a previous administration. Since I inherited this contract, the City has attempted to uphold its obligations in good faith. These recent actions by the developer are troubling to say the least. I expect more from the City of Seattle’s business partners, and I have no desire to develop this property with Triad.”

“Today, I am announcing that the City has no intention of extending the contract beyond the Dec. 31 termination date. The people of Seattle will be better served if this current agreement lapses and we move forward with partners who represent the values of the City of Seattle.”

Grant’s former employer, Tenants Union of Washington State, instigated a lawsuit against Triad; while Grant was executive director of the union he supported a lawsuit that challenged Triad’s land-use permit for the project and opposed it for lack of affordable housing.

Last Spring Grant left the union to run for City Council Position 8 against the incumbent, Council President Tim Burgess.

So what was Triad’s leverage?

Last week the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission showed that a new independent-expenditure committee had registered, Seattle Needs Ethical Leaders. The committee reported to be anti-Grant and pro-Burgess. The group also reported that it plans to raise $200,000 before the general election.

In the Times article Allen reported that during his conversation with Grant, a committee against Grant was mentioned and that co-founder of Triad, John Goodman, would be funding the effort. Allen proposed to meet under the auspice of a neutral third party, former Mayor Mike McGinn, to discuss how the lawsuit could be quashed.

In a text message from Allen to McGinn, Allen wrote that any deal they arrange would mean $200,000 “going away,” or that “certain bad things can’t be undone.”

Goodman denied any involvement. Also, the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission show no record of Seattle Needs Ethical Leaders receiving funds from Goodman.

The Goodman/Grant interaction goes beyond just the Union opposing the Civic Center Project. Grant also helped organize opposition to Goodman’s acquisition of low-income housing in Seattle, such as Lockhaven Apartments in Ballard.

Members of Lockhaven Tenants Union and Tenants Union of Washington State demonstrating against Goodman Real Estate in Ballard last year. Grant helped organized events like this one. Photo by Shane Harms.

Last year Tenants Union of Washington State organized after Goodman Real Estate, owned by John Goodman, illegally evicted tenants and then allegedly retaliated against them by speeding up evictions for tenants with union membership. Grant also helped organized against Goodman Real Estate when they were acquiring The Theodora in Wedgewood, a 114-unit building that provided low-income housing for seniors and the disabled.

Grant released a statement earlier today.

“I would like to thank Mayor Murray for his decision today to end the city's relationship with Triad Capital. I would also like to thank the tenants who have been involved in this struggle and for having the courage to demand more affordability from developers,” said Grant.

“Now the city can take a fresh look on how best to use its public land, and if elected I would push for the maximum amount of affordable housing rather than the million dollar condos that were originally planned.”