May 6, 2002

Dear Editor,

I find the position of the City of Olympia planners confusing. Cities all over the state, indeed the country, are buying back waterfront property at exorbitant prices for public use. Why are our city planners looking to give what little waterfront we have over to tall buildings with sidewalk-to-sidewalk coverage? Where is their long-term vision?

We do not need to use downtown waterfront property for luxury condos.

• With empty lots and ramshackle old buildings throughout the downtown area, many locations are ripe for new construction or renovation.
• Is walking 2 blocks to the Waterfront really a hardship? Walking puts more people out and about, another goal of downtown housing.
• We already have them: A 4th floor condominium currently for sale near the Farmers Market (not on the waterfront) is listed at $425,000.
• If necessary, Port of Olympia land can be made available for housing.

Area population is expected to double to 400,000 in the next 25 years. Downtown housing will be a fact of life. We do not need to sacrifice our waterfront to bring it here earlier.

The next generation will regard these waterfront condos the way we regard the Capitol Center Building (Dept. of Corrections)....with horror. They will wonder, as we do now, "Why did the City Council let this happen?

People need act quickly to halt the proposed Waterfront zoning changes before it's too late. Contact council members and attend the Public Hearing, City Hall, May 21st.

Thank You,