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Committee recommends modification of Swedish Health Services' alley-vacation conditions to allow earlier delivery of public benefits
Summary
The committee voted 3–0 to recommend modifying conditions on a previously approved alley vacation tied to Swedish Health Services' First Hill master plan, preserving the public-benefit package while allowing flexibility on timing (clerk file 314550; earlier files 314304, 314477).
The committee voted unanimously on Aug. 6 to recommend modifying the conditional approval for an alley vacation related to Swedish Health Services' First Hill campus (clerk file 314550). Staff told the committee the proposed changes would not alter the scope of public benefits required by prior approvals (clerk files 314304 and 314477) but would allow Swedish additional timing flexibility while ensuring benefits are delivered and a property use and development agreement is negotiated before a final vacation.
SDOT representatives said the department supports the modification because it would let public benefits be delivered sooner. Swedish CEO Dr. Elizabeth Waco described the context: the Hughes Tower project is a major replacement and expansion of First Hill facilities and is a $1,400,000,000 investment that has reprioritized capital for the campus. Andrew Davis, who leads Swedish's real estate and construction teams, said delivering Block 95 in full by 2029 is no longer feasible alongside the Hughes Tower financing, but Swedish remains committed to delivering the benefit package tied to the alley vacation. The clerk recorded unanimous committee support and the recommendation will be forwarded to the Aug. 11 City Council meeting.
