Park project has our unconditional support | LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Published 3:03 pm Friday, February 6, 2015

To the editor:

We have resided on Bainbridge most of the time since our arrival in 1981. As you would expect in any attractive place to live, we have witnessed growth and change on the Island. There has been major victories and modest losses, but in general we have seen a pretty good job of balancing growth with quality of life. Although we have seen significant physical change we feel that residents mindset with regard to public space remains strong.

Residents now face a major decision with regard to the February bond vote to acquire the Sakai property.

Acquisition would bring much needed open space to the densely populated downtown core area. We all have seen various dollar cost estimates of the park versus alternative use and we regard the cost differences as modest.

The alternative use numbers do not include the cost to residents of diminished quality of life. This is a calculation each resident must make for themselves. In the event of alternative use (residential/commercial) it clearly would put increased traffic pressure on Madison as well as High School Road. These are already high volume traffic areas in school zones.

That said, we want to be clear that our unconditional support of this bond issue is due to our believing in the proposed park’s positive impact on all Island residents as opposed to seeing it as a means to prevent alternative uses.

We would like to close with a vote of confidence for Bainbridge’s park service. In recent years they have stepped up to many major projects in a professional manner while avoiding the negative spotlight. We believe that they will continue to be good stewards of our Island treasures, including the Sakai property if they are given that opportunity.

EVERETT AND BERNIE DUBOIS

Bainbridge Island