The SeaTac City Council amended on July 24 a development agreement for a long-delayed parking garage and retail center on International Boulevard.

WallyPark, a self-park and valet facility, will have 1,678 stalls.

About 14,000 square feet of retail space will front on the boulevard with another 3,000 square feet within the structure.

The development is located at the old Airport Plaza Hotel site, 18613 International Boulevard.

Developers said the retail space would house 10 to 12 small tenants that would mostly serve local residents.

Lawmakers originally approved the project two years ago. But Sound Transit subsequently took 50,000 feet of the property for its elevated light rail track.

That was more than developers expected so they asked the city to renegotiate the agreement.

At a May 22 presentation, developers proposed placing green space underneath the elevated rail line, but council members raised safety and ownership concerns. Parking facility developers are required to leave 10 percent of a project for green space, and can qualify for more parking spaces by providing bonus green space. WallyPark developers indicated they needed the extra spaces to make their project economically viable.

Under the agreement approved last week, 29,000 square feet of green space will be placed north of the facility.

"This proposal overall met our expectations," said Councilman Chris Wythe, chairman of the land use and planning committee.

Lawmakers also took another step toward their goal of creating an entertainment zone within the city's urban core by approving a consultant's contract with Heartland LLC of Seattle.

Heartland served as a consultant for redevelopment in Seattle's South Lake Union area and Kent Station in Kent.

SeaTac's entertainment zone would extend from International Boulevard to 32nd Avenue South between South 170th Street and South 176th Street.

"I haven't seen an entertainment district like this around an airport," Wythe noted.

City officials hope added attractions might encourage airport travelers to stay in the city longer or bring their families to SeaTac. They also want to increase hotel occupancy during weekends.

Council members also authorized consulting contracts for redevelopment around the airport/SeaTac city center and South 154th Street light rail stations.