County’s offer is city’s out

A big mistake regarding the YMCA site was made when the Park Board panicked and paid $5.3 million to preclude a developer from tying it up. The odds of any developer bringing that high-rise residential project to fruition in Spokane were highly unlikely.

It would be an even bigger mistake for the city to try to salvage some income by turning it over to private interests because it could become a historic building.

The YMCA building is beyond its useful life. It is a dinosaur from an embarrassing period in American architecture. If restored, it would serve a few residents and become a wart on the surface of an otherwise beautiful park.

So far, Mayor Mary Verner and the Park Board have been outvoted by the City Council regarding how to meet the city’s financial obligation. It is clear to me, as a taxpayer and real estate developer, that the only responsible action to be taken is to accept the Conservation Futures money offered by Spokane County. There are no options that are financially viable without more public money.

Council members, please help the mayor balance the city’s budget by supporting her position in this matter.

Al Payne

Spokane