Betsy Peabody Sent - City of Bainbridge Island
Betsy Peabody Sent - City of Bainbridge Island
Betsy Peabody Sent - City of Bainbridge Island
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From: Robert Dashiell<br />
<strong>Sent</strong>: Thu 8/19/2010 6:20 PM<br />
To: Council<br />
Subject: WSF Settlement<br />
I thought the discussion at the 8/18/10 CC workshop related to the WSF settlement <strong>of</strong>fer was quite good.<br />
It’s difficult for anyone who his familiar with <strong>City</strong> government expect the Council to act on anything using a<br />
fast track (nine years to build a WFP restroom; 13 years and still going <strong>of</strong> an open water marina), but the Mayor’s<br />
proposal to get two groups together and fast track possible options for a Council decision seems like a very<br />
good plan.<br />
I don’t think a property appraisal is called for. I don’t see the value in that expenditure.<br />
And I’m going to throw my early support behind a proposal by both Bill Knobloch and Barry Peters. Take the<br />
money and use if for a tourism oriented marina.<br />
Having sailed to different marinas in Puget Sound, I sense what kind <strong>of</strong> money a marina might bring into the<br />
<strong>City</strong> (especially good for restaurants and bars) , and I think a marina could likely be at least break even on operating<br />
costs, and $2 million might be enough to cover capital expenditures. Big plus for downtown businesses.<br />
Plus, people come into a port to join their friends for a day or two on the water, and that can lead to overnight<br />
guest housing.<br />
And it’s also a valid use for LTAC money ... you remember ... the “Civic Improvement Fund” that is almost<br />
never used for Civic Improvements? A spiffy new Marina for transient vessels and a new downtown street redo<br />
would be a pretty sweet combination ... especially if Waterfront Park could be made to look like a properly<br />
maintained park ... like the waterfront area in Poulsbo. They have concerts and events that also bring in tourists<br />
to their waterfront.<br />
And one more on LTAC .... Winslow Way is clearly the island’s largest tourist attraction. If the Council is going<br />
to empty the LTAC account, some thought might be given to doing something tourist related on Wnslow Way.<br />
Benches, water fountains, art ... all could be LTAC funded.<br />
I think the crowd that wants to keep the WSF piece should certainly get their day in court ... some new idea may<br />
germinate from that side that could also be viable.<br />
Finally nice to have something exciting to talk about too!<br />
Respectfully,<br />
Robert Dashiell
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