Parks department to hold three open-house events to discuss private use of public buildings
Two Magnuson Park buildings in the northwest corner of the park that are in need of renovation will be the focus of three upcoming open-house events put on by Seattle Parks and Recreation.
Arena Sports wants to renovate Hangar 27 and move into it, while a group of architects hopes to build a mixed-use recreation facility in Building 11 that would offer sailing, kayaking and restaurants.
However, some community members have expressed concerns. "These are buildings that go back to the World War II era and before. They are not earthquake-proof and have lots that need to be done to make them safe," said Nancy Bolin, president of View Ridge Community Council.
"The challenge is how we preserve the buildings. Both [buildings] contribute to [the] Sand Point historic district and provide [Seattle] Parks and Recreation with different opportunities," said Enterprise Division director Eric Friedli.
A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
City-funded renovations mean taking money away from other park projects, Friedli said; it would cost the city $6.8 million to renovate Hangar 27 and $7.7 million to $8 million to renovate Building 11.
Bringing in partners provides funding from outside organizations and offsets costs, which allow everyone to win, he added.
Arena Sports hopes to be the answer for Hangar 27. According to its website, Arena Sports will invest more than $5 million to provide a multi-use recreation facility to include two indoor soccer arenas, an open training field, a full-size baseball field, a hard surface court for basketball and volleyball, a pro-shop and locker- room facilities.
Currently operating out of Building 2 at Magnuson Park, Arena Sports would relocate all of its activities to Hangar 27.
The View Ridge Community Council does not favor this plan and views changes as out- of-sync with the park's original vision.
"Magnuson's original vision of the park was small with arts and crafts roots, but there has been a lack of strong leadership [within the city] in going to nonprofits and attracting them to the park," said Doug Ancona, a longtime View Ridge Community Council member and past president.
According to Ancona, having a nonprofit organization operate the buildings would allow many groups to continue using the facilities.
"Private firms would like exclusive use," Bolin said. "Hangar 27 has, in the past, been used by a host of nonprofit enterprises, and Arena Sports has told other enterprises that they will not have access to the building for their future events."
In a letter to City Council members, Bolin said, "Exclusivity represents a significant change in the direction from the longstanding vision for development and management of the park.
"The whole purpose of the park is to serve the entire community," Bolin said. "There are far too few public-use venues for diverse public and public-interest events, especially those hosted by smaller groups and organizations."
Friedli said that Hangar 30, which houses a variety of nonprofit groups, could host such events.
Unlike Hangar 27, the proposed purchase for Building 11, by Building 11 L.L.C., will create a mixed-use facility that will offer sailing, kayaking, a day-care center and restaurants.
"Allowing a mix of things that have a relationship to the Parks and Recreation program keeps rent lower - that's why we think this is acceptable," Friedli said. "There is no one else in the wings to renovate the building [11]. It will face demolition if it's not renovated."
Though demolishing Building 11 would provide more open space for the park, Friedli added that the space is not high-quality and would provide little beneficial use without the building.
A PUBLIC DISCUSSION?
Seattle Parks and Recreation held a series of meetings last fall to discuss how to improve the park and have spent the last 10 months negotiating with outside organizations to provide funding, Friedli said.
Members of the View Ridge Community Council, however, say they had not been invited to participate in discussions regarding renovations.
"Magnuson Park is a public park. Development and management of the park is a public issue. Adjacent communities and the public generally must be involved in any conversation regarding future use and management of the park, and collaborative efforts should be encouraged," Bolin said.
"This is not a good way to do business with as large an asset as Magnuson Park. It is valuable and deserves more consideration," Ancona said.
"For now," Bolin added, "We are doing our best to get some answers from the City Council and to keep the [privatization] subject uppermost in their minds."
The Seattle City Council will vote on this issue early next year.
