New police station plan is too pricey | LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Published 8:50 am Sunday, September 27, 2015

To the editor:

Please, no mega-project.

Our city council has put Proposition 1 before the community asking us to pay over $15 million for a new police and court building.

Prop. 1 would have us buy three expensive commercial parcels next to city hall at twice (!) their assessed value.

Even if the bond passes, the city would still need to sell other city-owned properties to pay for this project — probably selling at a huge discount.

There is an alternative. Leave the court where it is in Rolling Bay. The city already owns land closer to Highway 305 that is more appropriate for a police station.

We definitely need a police station upgrade — but let’s build it for what our (high priced) consultants have quoted — in the $7 million  range instead of this $15 million mega-project up for our approval.

Bottom line: Let’s find a better solution!

Let’s spend public money wisely and build a police station on land we already own.

Vote no on Prop. 1.

LEIF UTNE

Bainbridge Island