Anti-viaduct donations spike to $414,296 before limit deadline

A wave of big contributions flowed into the campaign against a new elevated Alaskan Way Viaduct in the past week.

In financial reports filed late Tuesday, the Not Another Elevated Viaduct group said it received $252,740 between Feb. 13 and Tuesday, bringing its total contributions to $414,296.

Its chief rival, the No Tunnel Alliance, has collected a total of $22,709.

The surge in "anti-elevated" money came just before a Tuesday deadline that prohibits contributions of more than $5,000 within 21 days of the all-mail election, for which ballots must be postmarked March 13.

Voters will be asked if they want to replace the earthquake-damaged viaduct with a new $2.8 billion elevated highway or a tunnel, estimated to cost $3.4 billion. Ballots are scheduled to begin arriving in mailboxes today.

The influx of money reflects a shift in the strategy of pro-tunnel groups, which have decided to focus more on defeating a new elevated highway than promoting a tunnel. A pro-tunnel group, Friends Of a Better Waterfront — which is related to Not Another Elevated Viaduct — has reported receiving $54,473 in total contributions.

Contributors "understand this is a decision that doesn't come around often and its impact will be felt for generations," said Kelly Evans, campaign manager for both the anti-elevated and pro-tunnel efforts.

Evans said Mayor Greg Nickels and others "in the business and environmental community have been really active in raising money" for the campaigns.

The anti-elevated group has spent more than half of its contributions on consultants, polls, staff, fundraising, automated phone calls, brochures, yard signs and a promotional video. The group has about $175,000 in cash, according to its treasurer, Jason Bennett.

The anti-elevated campaign mailed its first brochures on Tuesday, Evans said. The group also has been working on a TV ad it hopes to run, she added.

More than two-thirds of the group's contributions have come from companies, organizations and individuals in downtown or Belltown.

Downtown Seattle Association, a group that advocates for businesses and property owners, has been the largest contributor, at $54,480. John Taylor, the group's policy director, has said that stopping a new elevated highway is the association's top priority in the election.

LMN Architects is second with $46,160, which has come in the form of "in-kind" contributions for donated staff services on drawings, renderings and a video regarding the size of a new elevated viaduct. Another architecture firm, Mithun, contributed $13,540 in cash and donated services.

Washington Mutual was the third largest donor with $25,000.

Urban Visions, a development company, contributed $20,000.

Among the other developers, landowners and downtown businesses writing large checks to the anti-elevated campaign:

• AWV Partners (Chris Ackerley, who is also chair of the Alaskan Way Tunnel Coalition): $18,000

• Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce: $14,620

• Ackerley Partners: $12,000

• Davis Wright Tremaine: $10,000

• Vance Corp.: $10,000

• Macy's Northwest: $10,000

• Skyway Luggage: $10,000

• Perkins Coie: $7,500

• Clise Properties: $7,500

• Port Blakely Tree Farms: $7,000

• Unico Properties: $5,000

• Pine Street Group: $5,000

• Samis Land Company: $5,000

• Seneca Real Estate Group: $5,000

• Metzler Realty Advisors: $5,000

Bob Young:206- 464-2174 or byoung@seattletimes.com