Nickels proposes levy to revamp aging Pike Place Market
SEATTLE -- Mayor Greg Nickels wants a $75-million levy for the Pike Place Market on the November 2008 ballot.
The six-year levy would cost the owner of a typical Seattle home about $37 a year.
Ten million people come to the market every year. They probably see the vegetables, not the problems.
The mayor says a recent study showed revealed the flaws.
"Time has taken its toll on our beloved market. Its wires are frayed, its pipes are crumbling. its heating and cooling systems are wheezing," he said.
The mayor says one problem is that most of the exterior walls are un-reinforced concrete. That's not good, here in earthquake country.The plan the mayor sent to the City Council calls for reinforcement, both externally and internally.
Because the market is an historic building, any upgrading will have to be approved by the Seattle Historic Preservation Board.
The plan would also double the number of toilets. Right now there are just 23 toilets for 10 million visitors.
Another problem is with the pipes that carry sewage and waste from the rest facilities, restaurants and businesses in the market. A flashlight on the pipes below the market shows rusted pipes that flake with just fingernail pressure.
Steve Nelson, the market's operation manager, told KOMO 4 News there is a constant danger of leakage.
"If this clogs right now and we put a snake in it to snake it out, we'll break that pipe," he said.
The area smells of rust. It's also musty and dank. The concrete walls allow rain to seep in.
A short distance away is the main utilities room. On one side of the narrow room there are electric meters. On the opposite wall two feet away are the natural gas meters. That's a modern day no-no. Nelson says the utilities must be relocated.
The cost for the repairs and improvements is $75 million, or $37 a year for the average homeowner.
The Mayor was reminded $75 million is exactly the gap between what has been raised and what it needed to save the Seattle Sonics. Nickels replied:
"This is the year of the market," Nickels said.
As for the Sonics, the mayor said " that will not be through a voter-approved levy. I am not going to ask the people to do that. This is a higher priority for the people of Seattle."
The City Council will review the plan and decide whether or not to place it on the November ballot.
The six-year levy would cost the owner of a typical Seattle home about $37 a year.
Ten million people come to the market every year. They probably see the vegetables, not the problems.
The mayor says a recent study showed revealed the flaws.
"Time has taken its toll on our beloved market. Its wires are frayed, its pipes are crumbling. its heating and cooling systems are wheezing," he said.
The mayor says one problem is that most of the exterior walls are un-reinforced concrete. That's not good, here in earthquake country.The plan the mayor sent to the City Council calls for reinforcement, both externally and internally.
Because the market is an historic building, any upgrading will have to be approved by the Seattle Historic Preservation Board.
The plan would also double the number of toilets. Right now there are just 23 toilets for 10 million visitors.
Another problem is with the pipes that carry sewage and waste from the rest facilities, restaurants and businesses in the market. A flashlight on the pipes below the market shows rusted pipes that flake with just fingernail pressure.
Steve Nelson, the market's operation manager, told KOMO 4 News there is a constant danger of leakage.
"If this clogs right now and we put a snake in it to snake it out, we'll break that pipe," he said.
The area smells of rust. It's also musty and dank. The concrete walls allow rain to seep in.
A short distance away is the main utilities room. On one side of the narrow room there are electric meters. On the opposite wall two feet away are the natural gas meters. That's a modern day no-no. Nelson says the utilities must be relocated.
The cost for the repairs and improvements is $75 million, or $37 a year for the average homeowner.
The Mayor was reminded $75 million is exactly the gap between what has been raised and what it needed to save the Seattle Sonics. Nickels replied:
"This is the year of the market," Nickels said.
As for the Sonics, the mayor said " that will not be through a voter-approved levy. I am not going to ask the people to do that. This is a higher priority for the people of Seattle."
The City Council will review the plan and decide whether or not to place it on the November ballot.