City of Mercer Island- Proposition No. 1

BALLOT TITLE
PROPOSITION NO. 1
COMMUNITY CENTER GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS--$19,507,197

To acquire, construct and equip a new community center on the site of the former Mercer View School, shall the City of Mercer Island issue $19,507,197 in general obligation bonds, maturing within a maximum term of 20 years, and shall annual tax levies in excess of regular property tax levies be authorized to repay such bonds, all as provided in City Ordinance No. 98-08?

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT:
For the past eighteen years the former Mercer View School, located on the north side of SE 24th Street, between Luther Burbank Park and 82nd Ave SE, has served as the Community Center for the City of Mercer Island. The Center has been the home for a variety of community activities, programs, special events and offices for the city departments of Youth and Family Services and Park and Recreation. In 1994, the City Council determined that the Mercer View site was the best location for a permanent Community Center.
This ballot proposition would authorize the City to purchase general obligation bonds not to exceed $19,507,197 to complete acquisition of the 8.3-acre site, and construct and equip a new 53,000 square foot Community Center, and 258-space parking lot. For a median priced Mercer Island home of $400,000, the additional property tax to support the bond would be $171 per year for twenty years. The bond issue requires a 60% "yes" vote for passage.
The new Community Center will support existing services and programs provided by the City, including senior adult services, day care, after-school care, arts/crafts classes, art exhibits and classes, aerobic/fitness classes, and offices for the two departments that oversee the programs. Multiple use spaces for a variety of recreation and community service programs, meetings for community groups and businesses, small-scale performances and lectures will be provided, as well as a new gym, fitness facilities, climbing wall, and indoor walking/running track.

STATEMENT FOR
As a member of this Community and a proponent of the new Community Center, I want you to know THE FACTS:
THE FACTS: The existing community center:
• 40 year old elementary school in need of extensive repair;
• 32,000 square foot building/141 parking spaces;
• since 1980, has marginally operated as our community center;
• unsafe, inefficient, expensive to operate;
• home to 243 community groups;
• over 125,000 yearly visits by citizens
THE FACTS: The new community center:
• $19.5 million total project and land - $43 tax per year on $100,000 assessed value;
• 53,000 square foot building (65% larger than existing) /258 parking spaces;
• additional operation/maintenance cost will be offset by revenues - will not be an additional burden to citizens;
• will enhance existing services/programs for all generations;
• multiple use new spaces - gym, fitness facilities, indoor track, cafe, reception/meeting rooms, climbing wall, small scale performance space;
• new access/trails to adjacent Luther Burbank Park;
• natural disaster emergency shelter;
• ADA accessible;
• designed for Mercer Island residents after over a year of public meetings/community input;
• may provide the last opportunity to create a memorable and permanent civic building on Mercer Island!
VOTE YES! IT’S ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY !!

REBUTTAL OF STATEMENT AGAINST
The need is real. The existing Center is unsafe and unreliable. The new Center is only 65% larger including a gym with track, fitness/facility that is available to all residents. The cost is $241/sq. ft. including bldg., demolition, landscaping, furniture and equipment. Land cost is 3.2 million. The present school/city combined debt is $60 million.
Community: All citizens are a priority.

STATEMENT PREPARED BY: CINDY HUMPHREYS

STATEMENT AGAINST
This bond proposal is about priorities. We face a major tax consequence because of a few people pushing hard to spend our money for a non-existent need - a new community center. We already have a community center that is the right size with the right services for us. The proposed building is twice the size, with the same number of park department services, but designed for usage for off-Island people. Why are we doubling the size of the center but our population has not doubled in size? Why pay over $350/sq. ft. for something we don’t need? There is no documented proof a new facility is needed. Why pay almost $20 million dollars to replace a building that does not need to be replaced? Our schools have 19 portables. Why vote for an expensive non-essential project while we have such great school needs? Presently we have $70 million school district bond debt and $7 million city bond debt. With this proposal, we will be burdened with almost $100 million in debt with more to come!! How much tax burden can we afford? Let’s get our priorities straight. Vote responsibly and VOTE NO!

REBUTTAL OF STATEMENT FOR
Size:Present = 26,720 square feet; Proposed = 52,300 square feet DOUBLES THE SIZE (Perteet Engineering to City of Mercer Island 8/6/98)

Cost: $19.5 million + 52,300 square feet = $372.85 per square foot; $200 a year for $400,000 house = $50 per $100,000 = NOT $43; "Additional operating/maintenance costs" are a burden.

Priorities: This is NOT the last opportunity to deal with the community center. Don’t be blackmailed.

STATEMENT PREPARED BY: MARTY GALE

NOTE: The Division of Records and Elections is not authorized to edit statements, nor is it responsible for their contents.