Letters to the editor

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LANDSCAPE DESIGNS

What world-class city runs a speedway past its front porch?

Editor, The Times:

Do whatever it takes and take as long as necessary, but tear down the Alaskan Way Viaduct! ("A liberated waterfront," Times guest commentary, Feb. 22.) This decision is a no-brainer and doesn't warrant Seattle's infamous, endless process of hand-wringing and no decisions.

Seattle will not be a world-class city until it reclaims the city's front porch from this monstrosity. The viaduct is loud, dirty and functions as an eyesore to the waterfront that makes Seattle such a unique city perched on the shores of Puget Sound.

Seattle would have been better off if the earthquake (of 2000) had just knocked this concrete albatross off its feet. Instead, it only made the viaduct a deathtrap for whoever is unfortunate enough to get trapped under it the next time the Earth rumbles.

Tear it down and reroute the roads underground, and remake the waterfront into a park that will become the trademark for the city! The viaduct has to go!
Doug Smith, Bainbridge Island

Town without parity

I find it ironic that, with the cries for the elimination of the Alaskan Way Viaduct because of its negative impact on the downtown environment, there is not a similar reaction to the Seattle Monorail Project. The monorail will eliminate all views of the water throughout the downtown and will become a similar barrier.

When the question is, Would you build the Alaskan Way Viaduct today, and the answer is "no," why is that not the same answer with respect to the monorail? At least the viaduct serves at least 110,000 people per day. The monorail will serve many fewer.
Ellen Sollod, Seattle

A bridge to star

We read with pleasure the many creative ideas to beautify the waterfront and tackle the difficult traffic problem in "A liberated waterfront."

However, I think there is another option that may have been overlooked. Several months ago, someone proposed a bridge across the Sound bypassing the downtown area. A bridge, and there are many beautiful ones (the new bridge in Boston, for example), could complement and frame the backdrop of the Olympics as it routed traffic away from downtown, ensuring a traffic flow freed from the constraints of downtown business.

I'm not an engineer, but I imagine that it could be done cheaper than a tunnel and with fewer challenges. I also imagine that a toll on a bridge would be more palatable to users than a constricting, suffocating tunnel.

We should at least give some creative thought to bridging rather than tunneling.
Clare O'Regan, Seattle

Deficit suspending

Seattle leaders are requesting $1 billion to repair the Alaskan Way Viaduct ("Officials seek boost for viaduct," Local News, Feb. 21). And I agree it is necessary to repair or replace it.

But everyone is concerned about the federal budget deficit. When Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Lake Stevens, get their large appropriation, will they stand up with President Bush when he signs the budget and say "It is necessary to have a deficit in order to pay for this needed highway project"? Or will they slam the president for the deficit while they smile and count the money they got?

Or Nickels and Larsen could suggest where to cut $1 billion out of other programs to pay for this highway repair.
Ron Hebron, Lake Forest Park

CALCULATING AREA

11 from 5 does not compute

The Pro Parks Levy that voters passed in 2000 included $12 million to fund improvements at Sand Point Magnuson Park, a project now estimated to cost upwards of $60 million. That levy called for five additional playing fields at Magnuson — not 11 new fields plus a dubious wetlands-restoration project that essentially provides fill dirt to level the sports complex, and then serves as a drainage pond for its runoff.

The Times begs the mayor and City Council to look hard at favored projects, including parks ("City must cut spending, workers must expect less," editorial, Feb. 27). The Magnuson Park boondoggle essentially services the needs of adult sports leagues and was born at the end of the flush '90s.

Pro Parks Levy supporters were told they were voting for green space and open space.

City Council should indeed now "take the heat," since this mayor is so disinclined to do so and downsize the proposed plan for Magnuson back to the voter-approved five additional playing fields.

It is a sin to close libraries for children while adult jocks play at taxpayers' expense until 11 p.m. at Magnuson Park.
Gail Chiarello, Seattle

TYRANT BENEVOLENCE

Crude and uninteresting

So now it's official. Cuba does not have the oil required to lift the embargo of 40 years, as opposed to Libya ("Bush lifts 23-year ban on travel to Libya," page one, Feb. 27).
Phoebe Wold, Shoreline

It's a boycott

Now wait a minute... Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, who has been considered an enemy, is now anointed as a friend? Cuban leader Fidel Castro, who is now like an old tiger without teeth, is still considered an enemy?

Could it be that Gadhafi has oil and our Fearless Leader does not smoke cigars?
Marion Musgrove, Everett

TAKE THIS TEST

How brave are you?

Reading "Legislators are failing the WASL" (editorial, Feb. 26), it occurred to me that the legislators developing that test should lead the way by demonstration. They should take the test. Their published test results would show they understand the details and requirements with which they are dealing. Certainly, they should do well on a test they are rigidly requiring of high-school sophomores.
Vic Page, Maple Valley

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