Manette residents share ideas for saving open space 2011/04/30 at 2:42 am
BREMERTON –
Some Manette residents remain optimistic that the mostly flat piece of concrete theyve used recreationally for years will somehow remain as open space.
But five years after the first effort, the prospect could seem a little more daunting.
About 10 people showed up to the Bremerton Senior Center this week to begin brainstorming ideas for how to save the 0.62-acre former reservoir lid that sits at the corner of 17th Street and Ironsides Avenue.
Despite protestations to the contrary, the energy behind the effort could appear to some to be less than it was five years ago.
To some degree, that may be because creation of a local improvement district is not a viable option. The district would allow residents to tax themselves to buy, demolish and improve the site.
Becky Hasart, Bremertons financial services director, said a LID of that kind requires that properties show a matching increase in property values. So assuming a $500,000 fund is needed to overhaul the property, the owners in the area would have to show that much benefit spread among all of them.
Residents were able to do that on Bainbridge Island in 2003 when they wanted new sewer lines. In the case of a park thats very tough to do, Hasart said.
Still, this weeks meeting was about brainstorming, not raining on the parade, though Manette resident Robin Henderson did come to the meeting to voice his opinion that the effort probably wasnt worth it. Im not against turning it into a park. I just think theres no money for it, he said.
Other residents came up with ideas and will continue to pursue options. Paul Kuralt, a Manetter, said they would pursue private donations from residents and would explore whether grants or corporate donations are possible. The group also discussed creating some sort of covenant that would allow two homes to be built on the property in the future, with open space set aside on part of the acreage. They figured that was a better alternative than seeing up to six homes build there, which is possible under city regulations.
There also was talk of a dog park. Residents wondered aloud if a company like Petco might want to put its name on that.
Kuralt said he believes Manette residents are just as enthused about keeping the property open as they were five years ago.
Wendy Churchman did not live in Manette five years ago, but is decidedly enthused and politely took Henderson to task for being so negative in a meeting designed to discuss ways to save the site.
While the unknown cost to turn the property into something permanently parklike was intimidating, she said, she hopes they can find a way.
Churchmans 2-year-old daughter rides her tricycle on the site and Churchman sees the park as a good alternative to sidewalks. Its just kind of its own unique little thing, she said.
A slow economy could play into residents hands. The city had offers in 2006 when the site was offered at more than $200,000. Even though its now assessed at $90,000, Bremerton hasnt hinted that anyone has development eyes for the site.
Most people would be happiest if it just stayed the way it is, Henderson said.
The city wouldnt be happy. The property is now considered surplus, but the liability for the site still belongs to Bremerton.
With all the funds needed elsewhere in the city, such as for paving Bremertons streets, Hasart said financially it might be best for the city to sell the site and no longer be responsible for it all.
The council is responsible for that policy decision, and Hasart said she was not taking sides. She did offer, though, At the risk of being tarred and feathered, in some respects it doesnt make sense (for the city) to turn it into a park.