What's behind Mayor McGinn's plan to fast-track the sea-wall project?

IT is surprising, even puzzling, that one of Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn's first big announcements is a pitch for a May special election featuring a pricey bond measure to replace the city's deteriorating sea wall.

McGinn sensibly says the wooden sea wall is failing and needs to be replaced sooner than current plans, which call for replacement in about six years. If the mayor knows a quicker, four-year fix is needed, he must make that case to voters.

Curiously, he is asking voters early in his term to increase property taxes, and attempting to conduct an election almost on an emergency basis. It could cost a bit more than $1 million to stage a special election for the $241 million sea-wall project.

The other unclear part of the equation is, what is he really up to regarding plans for a deep-bore tunnel to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct? McGinn has at least two opinions on the tunnel. He doesn't like the project but said during the campaign he would not stand in its way.

Until last week, rebuilding the sea wall was part of the tunnel project and waterfront restoration. McGinn spokesman Aaron Pickus says the sea wall bond measure is "an entirely separate issue."

Gov. Chris Gregoire viewed the plan differently. She said she looked forward to working with the mayor on a "vital transportation effort."

Seattle City Council members feel McGinn did not observe unwritten laws of protocol that call for giving them substantial advance information.

Those bruised feelings can be assuaged, but the council also must wonder if McGinn is trying to reduce support for the tunnel by tackling a key issue early — or is he merely managing a basic safety concern for the city?

Since McGinn is the one with his hand out to citizens, the burden is on him to explain exactly where he is on the sea wall, the tunnel and taxation in general. He must consider the inevitable feeling in Seattle of too many money requests year after year — sometimes known as ballot overload.