Our Normandy Park City Council is seeking to demolish the old Recreational Center at City Hall THIS SUMMER, but the cities’ expensive Civic Center Plan does not come with a determined timeline to replace or remodel the current center, displaces many groups and youth programs, and relies on borrowing funds and raising property taxes to do it.
The City of Normandy Park has proposed a $21 million dollar bonded Civic Center for a new City Hall, Police Department and Gym (resulting to a total price of $43 million to residents over 15 years), which we cannot afford and would raise our taxes!
UPDATE: Though the Capital and Steering Committees are currently meeting to address the issues raised by citizens, and is seeking to reduce those costs by cutting square footage and possible amenities, no concrete or agreed upon plan has been determined. Talks of grant writing, community and corporate giving will only help pay for a fraction of the costs, and we could still be looking at a bond of $13 million dollars that would result in a price range of $20+ million dollars and raised Property taxes to pay for it.
We at DON’T WRECK THE REC Initiative, (a group of community members and NP neighbors), cannot let this happen until we can be certain that it will not take years and years, and raised taxes to keep the needed programs our children and seniors rely on, and the community space we utilize.
If WE DON’T DO SOMETHING, WE WILL LOSE:
· OUR CITY PRESCHOOL
· AFTER-SCHOOL SPORTS PROGRAMS,
· CLUBS,
· DANCE STUDIO,
· TAEKWONDO,
· SENIOR SERVICES,
· COMMUNITY MEETING CENTER
· SO MANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND PROGRAMS THAT COULD HAVE USED THE CENTER
· ETC.
They cite “liquefaction” as a reason to not rebuild at the current location without expensive reconstruction at the current site.
One idea our group is presenting to the city is to purchase an AFFORDABLE PRE-MADE BARN KIT that is CUSTOMIZABLE to meet our needs and get our kids moving again quicker and could be afforded for by generous community donations! It could also help generate NEEDED REVENUE for the City and would be a beautiful addition to our city!
IF you were able to watch the Presentation by John Nelson and our group, please let the Council and city know your thoughts below by clicking one of the applicable selections and adding your additional thoughts below.
THANK YOU!!!
(Verbiage to be submitted to the City council before each submitted comment:)