Slog - Comments on The Battle Over the Pro Parks Levy http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/01/the_battle_over_the_pro_parks_levy As I wrote in this week's paper, there's a battle shaping up over whether--and how--to renew the $270 million Pro Parks Levy, which funded capital and operations investments in parks, open space, and community centers. Council president Richard Conlin wants to renew the levy (for capital investments only; operations would be paid for out of the general budget) and make new investments in Pike Place Market and Seattle Center; Mayor Greg Nickels wants to focus on Seattle Center and Pike Place Market only. Tonight at 5:30 p.m. at the Central Library, the Seattle Great City Initiative is hosting a forum... Copyright 2008 Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:54:48 -0800 Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:43:24 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by COMTE Hm, Nick Licata alluded to this at last night's CapHill Arts Forum, not so much as a criticism of the expenditures on PPM & SC (both of which admittedly need some capital improvements), but rather, or so I thought, as suggestive of what the City could contribute to the capital needs of small arts orgs with even a fraction of that amount.

]]> COMTE http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/01/the_battle_over_the_pro_parks_levy#c901188 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/01/the_battle_over_the_pro_parks_levy#c901188 City Thu, 17 Jan 2008 12:14:02 -0800 Comment by JW I don't quite understand what "open space" means. Or perhaps I understand something about that term that makes me wonder why any kind of public entity would want to attach themselves to it. It reminds me of open space requirements for big development that result in something not open (to the public, that is) or nowhere anyone would actually want to spend time.

"Parks" I get. Even "public land" sounds nice (= we all own it).

]]> JW http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/01/the_battle_over_the_pro_parks_levy#c901270 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/01/the_battle_over_the_pro_parks_levy#c901270 City Thu, 17 Jan 2008 12:42:07 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle So, why is Seattle still paying for Seattle Parks and for King County Parks?

Time to stop subsidizing the suburbs.

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/01/the_battle_over_the_pro_parks_levy#c901418 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/01/the_battle_over_the_pro_parks_levy#c901418 City Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:40:54 -0800 Comment by Cale Seattle Center is in desperate need of attention. That place is turning into a series of crumbling buildings surrounded by parking garages.

It needs help.

]]> Cale http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/01/the_battle_over_the_pro_parks_levy#c901432 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/01/the_battle_over_the_pro_parks_levy#c901432 City Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:43:51 -0800 Comment by Mickymse I'm not exactly sure what you're talking about, Will... The Pro Parks Levy isn't subsidizing the 'burbs at all.

]]> Mickymse http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/01/the_battle_over_the_pro_parks_levy#c901466 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/01/the_battle_over_the_pro_parks_levy#c901466 City Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:56:03 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle No, I mean we pay for a Seattle parks levy and we also pay for a King County parks levy.

Look, I pay my property taxes directly, so I know that I pay twice - even though everyone outside Seattle only pays the King County parks levy.

Total ripoff that the suburbs get such a sweetheart deal.

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/01/the_battle_over_the_pro_parks_levy#c901896 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/01/the_battle_over_the_pro_parks_levy#c901896 City Thu, 17 Jan 2008 17:12:21 -0800 Comment by Gidge It was an interesting discussion. SGCI's series has been good so far, and I'm looking forward to what McGinn can deliver next.

]]> Gidge http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/01/the_battle_over_the_pro_parks_levy#c902210 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/01/the_battle_over_the_pro_parks_levy#c902210 City Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:43:24 -0800