Be careful with park project

The realization that the cost of repairing bridges was not taken into account when the $60 million dollar bond was passed to renovate Riverfront Park was unsettling. That the bridges could not withstand the weight of increased usage has been known since the 1990s. Now it is suggested a jump into a new “kick start” project, The Clock Tower. This should not be done without first having clear funding for the repair of the bridges.

This raises a red flag. What is the rush? The Clock Tower has not been a priority project with the public.

I stand with Randy Cameron who, like me, is a former Park Board president. He is said to be dissatisfied with the escalation of costs by the consultants well before the bond money is being spent.

I suggest that the timetable needs to be revised to ensure that there is a quality outcome. Having the Army Corps of Engineers voice its concerns with the history of Expo ‘74 being preserved is a positive step. Their concerns can benefit from working together with the Spokane Preservation Advocates developing an inventory. Something as cherished as Riverfront Park is deserves careful deliberate steps before the renovation begins.

Carol S. Barber

Spokane