Seattle City Council wants more information on housing issue in Children's expansion plan

An agreement to expand Seattle Children's hospital was reviewed Thursday by Seattle City Council members who asked for more information on how and where the hospital would replace 136 condo units that would be demolished during construction.

"Ninety-nine percent of this is done," said Sally Clark, chair of the Committee on the Built Environment. The housing "is the remaining issue."

The hospital has negotiated with the homeowners to buy them out for $93 million, but the law requires a major institution such as Children's to replenish lost housing stock when it expands.

The full council could make a final decision as soon as March 22. The state Department of Health then has to issue a "certificate of need" to finalize the project.

After months of contentious debate, the deal was reached earlier this month between the hospital and Laurelhurst residents who argued the plan would negatively impact the neighborhood.

Children's agreed to scale back its expansion to roughly 1.2 million square feet and not build in nearby residential areas for at least 50 years.

Sonia Krishnan: 206-515-5546 or skrishnan@seattletimes.com