Legacy optioned the property, near the intersection of Northeast 20th Avenue and 139th Street, in early November, shortly after Costco Wholesale Corp.'s option for the property ran out. Kirkland, WA-based Costco wanted to build one of its warehouse stores on the site, but in September saw its application to build a 148,000-sf store denied because of the traffic problems it would create.

A building moratorium was imposed by the city shortly thereafter that could last a year. Legacy, however, likes the property much better than a 13-acre property it secured for the project last summer, and is more than willing to wait. "Its size gives us far more flexibility and still coincides with our schedule," a source with the company tells GlobeSt.com, "which is to break ground in late 2003 and end up with a hospital by 2005."

Legacy's status as a major family-wage employer may encourage city officials to find a solution to the traffic problems that meet Legacy's timeline. Legacy plans to file a preliminary land-use application in January that will generate a response from the city about the traffic improvements will be required to mitigate its contribution to the traffic.