The Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Francia Russell Center plans to relocate in 2016, making way for Sound Transit’s East Link light rail extension. PNB spokesman Gary Tucker said the organization is just waiting for pressing legal matters to clear their path moving forward.

The East Link light rail alignment at 136th Place Northeast and Northeast 16th Street will run a line around that corner, slightly east of the ballet academy. Because Sound Transit prefers a 30 mph curve — to mitigate noise and reduce maintenance needs — demolition of the Francia Russell Center was deemed necessary by Sound Transit.

East Link project manager Don Billen said the ballet is exploring expanding the current structure to the north, allowing Sound Transit to demolish the south end of the building for light rail. East Link construction is slated to begin in 2017.

Tucker confirmed PNB’s 2016 relocation plans, adding there’s not much more planning that can be accomplished until the owner of the MGI Building, where the center is located, can reach an agreement with Sound Transit for just compensation for the portion of property to be lost.

“We don’t know yet, so it’s up to the owner to work that out,” he said. “Everything is tentative, right now, and Sound Transit is actually saying as much as we know.”

Billen said Sound Transit is also coordinating with BP to relocate a portion of Olympic Pipeline in 2015, which now runs under the ballet center’s parking lot and down Northeast 16th. The pipeline carries gasoline, diesel and jet fuel between Blaine, Wash., and Portland.