Science Center Makes Ballot

Spokane voters can add the Pacific Science Center to the list of issues and candidates they’ll be voting on during the fall primary.

The city got word from the county elections office Thursday that a petition designed to put the center to a vote had the 5,914 required signatures, said City Attorney Jim Sloane.

City Council members in March approved a contract leasing the Riverfront Park Pavilion to the Seattle-based center.

Because the petition had enough signatures, the lease is “suspended,” Sloane said.

Opponents of putting the center in the Pavilion gathered more than 12,000 signatures. They objected to the council making any major changes to the park without voter approval.

County elections workers counted only until they reached 5,914 valid signatures - 10 percent of the voters who cast ballots in the November election.

A valid signature comes from a registered city voter.