Pacific Science Center May Get Another Chance Narrow Vote Hasn’t Discouraged Board On Riverfront Park Project

Plans for a science center in Riverfront Park’s pavilion may reappear on the March 1996 ballot.

A Spokane Park Board subcommittee agreed Monday to ask the City Council to bring the Pacific Science Center proposal back before voters for a second try.

“The Park Board is strongly committed to this project,” said Dennis Hession, the board’s president. “The failure of the public to vote in favor by such a small margin is not enough to discourage us from this project.”

Voters narrowly defeated the science center proposal in the September primary election. “No” votes topped “yes” votes by slightly more than 1 percent.

The entire Park Board must vote on the subcommittee’s recommendation during its Nov. 9 meeting before sending it on to the council.

Park Board memo Steve Clark wrote in a Monday memo to his colleagues that “continued interest among the community, documented confusion over the title and placement of the issue on the ballot … a very narrow margin separating favorable and unfavorable votes …” warranted putting the proposal back before voters.

Clark also recommends that the Park Board:

Study the costs of relocating Riverfront Park’s offices;

Hire a consultant to evaluate the condition of the Pavilion and its rides, as well as study what it would cost to repair the building;

Hire a consultant to study the cost of relocating the rides and have the Parks Department operate them; and

Hire a consultant to write a “request for proposals” from outside vendors to operate the rides in Riverfront Park - a plan that would require a public vote. Bids would be requested only if voters approve the science center proposal.

, DataTimes