Sims agrees to move back to courthouse, ends confrontation

King County Executive Ron Sims ended a confrontation with the County Council Friday by agreeing to move his office back to the county courthouse in downtown Seattle.

Sims, who moved out of the courthouse to make way for seismic repairs after the 2001 Nisqually earthquake, had said the best deal for taxpayers was for him to relocate to a county office building now under construction.

The council wanted him back in the courthouse, to be closer to the legislative and judicial branches of government.

Sims threatened to veto an ordinance that would have relocated him to the County Administration Building until he could move into the courthouse across the street.

But Sims decided Friday he would neither sign nor veto the legislation, allowing it to go into effect.

Members of the County Council's Democratic majority said they will revise the ordinance to keep Sims in leased space in nearby Columbia Center until he can move directly to the courthouse.

"This gave everyone a chance to step back from the brink," said Kurt Triplett, Sims' chief of staff. "Let's demonstrate a little trust and goodwill and try to tackle this together."

Keith Ervin: 206-464-2105 or kervin@seattletimes.com