Help homeless instead

As a new resident to Spokane, the idea of renovating Riverfront Park with a $64 million bond levy sounded spectacular. Then, upon digging deeper, I found numerous objections. Among them: It’s not enough money, the Spokane Transit Authority will likely request $70 million, public schools falling short on funds, and those calling for money to help Spokane’s homeless population.

You’re right, that last one’s to see if you’re awake. No one, not anyone “worthy” of publication anyway, spoke for those most needing help in our community.

Rather than competing with other cities to build the biggest, baddest attraction, a real legacy could have come with the construction of a world-class free mental health treatment center funded by the city.

Many of the goals desired from the restoration could be achieved with a greater success rate by helping the forgotten. Namely, you’d clean up the streets, thus attracting more visitors while reducing crime in the downtown and Riverfront area.

And those dreams of grandeur held by those at the top would be tenfold for improving the community from its base rather than making a bigger event center and paving over more grass. Who bull-horned this idea again? I’ve forgotten.

Scott Gittens

Spokane