Mobius will be money loser

Regarding articles about the city contracting with Mobius for a $1-a-year lease for a science center:

When the citizens voted in 1999 to acquire the north bank land for development, we were under the assumption that an amusement center was going there. Something moneymaking. The Review and TV had stories about the city maybe contracting with Disney to build Disney-type rides there; and a people mover would be built along the Howard Street corridor.

Not that I’m against a science center. However, it will NOT make money, like an amusement park would. Let’s say kids are $5 and adults $7.50 admission, family with two kids would cost $25. Most people will go once, and that’s it, whereas an amusement park will draw people over and over.

So, put an amusement park on the north bank, and if Mobius wants to spend $29.5 million, then put the science center in the Pavilion (half of the Pavilion is empty from a previous failed science center) and leave the IMAX where it’s at. The aging Pavilion would then be saved from the wrecking ball, as it’s falling apart, and it’s either that or the Park Board will want millions of dollars to save it.

Richard Trerise

Spokane