| Video Voters' Guide Statement For | |
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Click Here to View the Video Statement |
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| Statement For | |
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All Seattle's citizens own and use park community centers and Seattle Center, and we share the responsibility to ensure that these valued gathering places are safe and accessible for everyone. In 1991, the Seattle voters approved a levy that began to fix up Seattle Center and replace five Parks Department community centers in the Bitter Lake, Meadowbrook, Garfield, Delridge and Rainier neighborhoods. Each project was completed on-time and on-budget, and our public investment leveraged $200 million in additional private and public funding for Seattle Center improvements. This levy continues our commitment to take care of our community centers; by building, renovating and expanding our recreation centers and Seattle Center. The levy is the same average as the last levy, $37 dollars per year for the average homeowner. Proposition One will: Expand and renovate community recreation centers. The levy will make a tremendous impact on our neighborhoods. New centers will be added in underserved communities, older centers will be improved, and two neighborhoods will receive new civic centers. This will provide children, families and seniors with expanded cultural and recreational activities near their homes. New Community Centers are proposed for:
New Civic Centers are proposed for:
Existing Community Centers needing renovation are:
Renovate the Opera House as a Community Performance Hall. The Opera House was built 72 years ago and is falling apart. The structure doesn't even meet earthquake and life-safety standards. The renovation will mean that more than a million annual visitors can attend Nutcracker, Children's International Festival, Bumbershoot, opera, Folklife and public school performances, in a safe, accessible and modern facility. Levy dollars for these improvements will be matched by private funding. Build a new Cultural Festival Pavilion. The current pavilion was built as a temporary facility 37 years ago and is obsolete. It's home to 14 cultural festivals including Folklife, Bumbershoot, International Children's Festival and more. The levy is supported by all members of the Parks Board, King County Labor Council, League of Women Voters, King County Democrats, Seattle Center Festivals, Seattle Opera, Pacific Northwest Ballet, dozens of neighborhood organizations, Mayor Paul Schell and the City Council. Join all of us in continuing Seattle's commitment to improve our community gathering places. Please vote YES on PROP #1. |
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| Statement prepared by: | |
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Mayor Paul Schell Paul Kraabel Margaret Ceis
Yes on Prop.1 |
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| Rebuttal to Statement For | |
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Proponents say there are "more than a million annual visitors" to the Seattle Center. An argument Mayor Schell could use to lobby for financial support from regional authorities instead of putting the brunt of this financial burden on Seattle property owners. Non-property owners and millions of tourists visit the Seattle Center. There needs to be a more equitable way to finance needed improvements and maintenance. Schell describes the current Flag Pavilion as a "temporary facility". It's 37 years old. By Schell's definition the whole Seattle Center is a "temporary" facility, is he planning to tear it all down? Apparently so. He suggests the total expenditure for Proposition I is $300 million. Another building boondoggle that neglects basic upkeep. The City's mantra is "Build it, junk it, build it, junk it...". Let's take care of what we have. |
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| Rebuttal prepared by: | |
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Fred Bucke Linda Jordan
Phone: (206) 523-6066 |
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