Another perspective on the park bond | LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Published 12:58 pm Saturday, February 7, 2015

To the editor:

So many figures have been tossed around and defended by the pro committee who is pushing, with all their might, to get voters to buy overpriced land. They have been careful not to give all the facts. Here’s a few to consider before you vote.

The MAI Appraisal does not value the property as a park site. It values the property as a site for 105 homes. Without negotiation the park district offered $6 million to the owners. The value of the property is $1.8 million as vacant (park) land. Only 8.7 acres is usable because the remaining 14 acres is wetlands habitat buffer, potential landslide hazard, wetlands, 2-acre man-made lake and a stream. The latter two are adjacent to two EPA-designated pollution sites. No tests are planned for contamination inspection until after the bond issue vote.

Rumor has it that the park district is planning to build a significant recreation center with workout facilities, meeting rooms and offices which apparently is what “active park” means in their literature. Whose going to pay for this? More bonds? Higher taxes!

Remember if the land were put to its highest and best use as described in the MAI appraisal, it would yield almost $400,000 annually in real estate taxes. As an “active” or “passive” park it goes off the tax rolls.

Vote NO!

JEAN CAPPS

Bainbridge Island