Creating a community gathering place
Regarding your editorial “SeaTac venture is not a public use,” [Opinion, Jan. 25], it should be made clear that Washington state law declares a public parking structure is, by law, a public use.
Last September, the City Council passed a condemnation ordinance to acquire an existing two-acre site with the express purpose of constructing public parking. The editorial inaccurately cited SeaTac’s intention to build “private restaurants, night clubs and shops” alongside this parking on the same parcel. The city has not filed for condemnation in court and is working to reach an agreement with the property owner.
The city has been working on this 40-acre city center across from the airport since 1999. The goal is to create a gathering place for the community. At a recent open house, residents again confirmed this desire. A market study completed by an outside firm concluded this is a viable goal. While the editorial stated taxpayers “would be on the hook for a 1 percent utility tax and $20 annual car-tab fee,” recent projections call for no new taxes to be levied for this project.
These are complex issues but we remain optimistic we can realize the vision and help our community thrive.
— Mayor Terry Anderson, SeaTac