Seattle’s Green Lake is one of eight city parks with buildings that are in what officials call a ‘desperate’ situation. After considering a remodel of the 1928 community center and the 1950s-era swimming pool, the city concluded the facilities are at the end of their useful life. That is raising questions about the best way to pay for their replacement.
With the only solution being a costly rebuild, advocates and administrators plan to meet March 14 to explore all the options.
Voters approved a permanent source of funding for maintenance through the Seattle Park District in 2014. But Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent Jesús Aguirre says there’s just not enough to cover a brand new facility.
One approach he says is working well in downtown’s Westlake Park and Magnuson Park, is embracing public-private partnerships.
"The challenge for us is really going to be to make sure that these partnerships are driven by this idea that we're here to serve the public. At the same time, we're very much aware of the fact that no matter how well our economy is doing, no matter how well we're funded, there's just an ever-increasing demand for the stuff that we do and we just have to be creative," said Aguirre.
Critics worry what strings may be attached when the city lets in private funds. There are concerns that fees would increase and staffing changes would affect the quality of programs.
