News, Property tax increase proposed for Pike Place Market improvements. (Seattle: home, schools)

[70Ford]

Local News | Property-tax increase for Pike Place Market upgrades added to ballot | Seattle Times Newspaper

Some council members have expressed reservations about asking voters for more money since the board for Sound Transit is also considering asking voters for a sales-tax increase to extend light-rail.

[seattlerain]

I support both projects, not exactly looking forward to paying more taxes, however in my opinion both are worthy projects.

[allforcats]

I heard on the local news this evening that the cost for the Market would be $43 per year (per household). Of course, that plus all the other costs requested would, they said, amount to over $400 per year per household...

[70Ford]

If your cable bill went up by 33.3 bucks a month....to improve telephone service for everyone....even those who never use the telephone....would you care?

How does a tax on housing equate into a tax for transportation? It's like taxing chewing gum to help starving penguins.

Opinion | Do the city council members wear purple crushed velvet, too? | Seattle Times Newspaper


I say, if you're using the facilties...pay a fee..a head tax...a user charge...something.

Who are all these rich people? If I walked up to you..on the street today and said "Hi, I'm beautifying parks! Can I have 33 dollars, please?"....Would you say "Golly, Gee! Sure Mister!" or would you sort of look askance and say "Hrmm, think he's on the green herb." and keep walking.

I vote herb. I work hard for my money. I've been to Pike's Place Market...once. And now, people get to pay every month for something that they may or may not use. Somebody help me see the value here. Maybe I'm not seeing it 'cuz I don't want to see it. Or something.

[seattlerain]

Originally Posted by 70Ford

If your cable bill went up by 33.3 bucks a month....to improve telephone service for everyone....even those who never use the telephone....would you care?

How does a tax on housing equate into a tax for transportation? It's like taxing chewing gum to help starving penguins.

Opinion | Do the city council members wear purple crushed velvet, too? | Seattle Times Newspaper


I say, if you're using the facilties...pay a fee..a head tax...a user charge...something.

Who are all these rich people? If I walked up to you..on the street today and said "Hi, I'm beautifying parks! Can I have 33 dollars, please?"....Would you say "Golly, Gee! Sure Mister!" or would you sort of look askance and say "Hrmm, think he's on the green herb." and keep walking.

I vote herb. I work hard for my money. I've been to Pike's Place Market...once. And now, people get to pay every month for something that they may or may not use. Somebody help me see the value here. Maybe I'm not seeing it 'cuz I don't want to see it. Or something.

I work hard for my money too...I just happen to think the Pike Place Market, (not Pike's Place), is worth it. It is a treasure; some say it is the very soul of Seattle.

I also believe we need to invest in our transportation infrastructure.

[Destructoman!]

Originally Posted by seattlerain

I just happen to think the Pike Place Market, (not Pike's Place), is worth it. It is a treasure; some say it is the very soul of Seattle.

Agreed. Pikes Place Market truly IS one of the best things about Seattle. I just wish they could arrange it somehow so a local (such as myself) could shop there without being beaten around by tourists in fanny-packs who are just there to watch the fish being thrown. Somehow it should be made to be better accessible to the citizens of Seattle, but that would require better parking OR a better/faster source of public transit that could get the Seattle resident who just bought a new fresh fish home in time for the fish to still be fresh!!!

Ha ha, Seattlerain, despite our differences we do agree on several key things!

[azoria]

I like Pike's Market too, but what's wrong with it now that it needs zillions of dollars of improvement? I'm not seeing any glaring improvements that need to be made. It's fine.

Except that they need to get rid of all those ratty crackheads that litter the park. That should be a cheap fix.

[seattlerain]

Much of the improvements proposed for the Market include upgrading structural, seismic and electrical systems.

A review of the proposed upgrades can be found here. Pike Place Market Upgrade

[azoria]

So they're not getting rid of the crackheads? In that case--vote it down.

Package deal: They push the burnt out dopeheads into the nearest seismic fault, and then install the improvements. This I would vote for.

[Ira500]

Most people don't play tennis, but parks have tennis courts, and who pays for them? The taxpayers. Is that wrong? Many people don't have children, but taxpayer money pays for schools. Is that wrong?