Parking tax crimps city's funding for South Park bridge

The Seattle City Council's new budget punts the question of how to collect $15 million the city promised toward a new South Park drawbridge.

Voters will probably see a future ballot measure or council-approved tax hike.

Mayor Mike McGinn proposed at least $1.5 million a year in 2011-13 for the Duwamish River crossing, owned by King County but linking city neighborhoods. But those funds depended on a 17.5 percent commercial parking tax, while the council was willing to boost the current 10 percent rate only to 12.5 percent.

After a decade of official dithering, the 79-year-old bridge was closed in June. State and local governments pooled their pledges, and a federal stimulus grant supplied the final $34 million for a $131 million replacement.

The 2011 budget has $188,000 for preconstruction work.

Tom Rasmussen, chairman of the council's transportation committee, said the county doesn't need Seattle's full amount yet.

"We are totally committed to meeting that obligation," he said. "We'll find the money." Possible sources include a property-tax measure to replace Seattle's waterfront sea wall; a voter-approved increase in the new $20 city car-tab fee; or a boost in commercial parking tax, council members said.

Mike Lindblom: 206-515-5631 or mlindblom@seattletimes.com