The Seattle Times reports that the Pacific Hospital Preservation and Development Authority governing council voted this morning to continue discussions with both entities interested in a long term lease of the landmark PacMed building.

On Monday, the state rejected the 30-year lease the PDA recently proposed, stating that more time was needed to perform due diligence. This morning, the governing council met to discuss the alternate deal on the table by Miami-based homebuilding company Lennar, which would take out a 75-year lease and convert the building to market-rate apartments.

The council voted today to continue discussions with Lennar, and also to meet with the state to determine whether the issues between the two sides can be resolved.

In the state’s plan, Seattle Central Community College would use 85,000 square feet for health-training programs, including a new Bachelor of Nursing degree. Non-profit groups focusing on community health and social services would form an “innovation center” that would take up the remaining floors of the building.

The City Council’s Housing, Human Services, Health and Culture Committee, chaired by Nick Licata, will hold a special public hearing on August 7 at 5 p.m. in Council Chamber at City Hall to discuss the future use of the PacMed tower.

If you want to let the Pacific Hospital Preservation and Development Authority know your thoughts on the current situation, contact Rosemary Aragon, the Executive Director of the PDA at r.aragon@phpda.org or by mail to 1200 12th Ave. S, Quarters 2, Seattle, WA 98144.