Seattle getting smarter : Google adds 240 engineers

Amy Martinez of our Seattle Times reports Google plans to expand by subleasing 60,000 square feet from Getty Images on the water along North 34th Street in Fremont.

In addition to its engineering center across Lake Washington in Kirkland, Google will be adding 240 additional R&D engineers.

What does Google think of Seattle? Per Google spokeswoman Sunny Gettinger, “Seattle is just very rich in engineering talent, we’re running out of space in our other offices there, and we’re continuing to grow.”

I closed my my Wisconsin law practice of 17 years and moved to Seattle in 1999. Did it for the same reason as Google – Seattle smarts. Plus there’s an entrepreneurial bent to Seattle you don’t find everywhere. Bright young people looking to do cool things, work hard, and change the world for the better.

Clay Bennett, our Sonics owner, ought to see this. Rather than move our NBA franchise of 40 years out of town because our politicians won’t cooperate, tap into the entrepreneurial energy of Seattle.

Heck, start the bidding rights for naming/financial support for the new arena. ‘Google Center’ ought to get Microsoft into the bidding wars. What’s millions of dollars when you’re talking freeway signs all over reading ‘Google Center – 2.5 miles.’