The no votes were led by Mayor Pro Tem Scott Wagner (I). Edgemoor is the development affiliate of Bethesda, Md.-based Clark Construction, which will be part of the joint venture general contractor. Wagner was critical of Clark’s performance and what he called cost overruns on the renovation and expansion of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport before the vote. Geoff Stricker, Edgemoor managing director, said Edgemoor was not even acting as developer on the SeaTac project.

“It’s really some heavy-handed politics by AECOM and Burns & McDonnell, who were unsuccessful in securing the bid, doing everything they can to undermine [Edgemoor] so that they can get exactly the result councilman Wagner believes he can produce with his pivot back to AECOM,” James said in a radio interview before the vote.

Burns & McDonnell denies that it ever tried to undermine Edgemoor’s MOU or progress with the city council.

There is no guarantee that the deal still won’t fall apart. Edgemoor is against the local labor community’s demand for an all-union workforce and wants a labor-harmony agreement that does not allow strikes.

“We remain committed to reaching a labor-harmony agreement that leverages the skills and strength of local union labor while maximizing opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses to contribute on the project,” Stricker says.

He said Edgemoor expects to reach a contract agreement with Kansas City by September.