Parks, Pike Place Market levies take early lead

The nation's economic crisis appeared to have little impact on local propositions to fund parks and Pike Place Market renovations, with Seattle and Bellevue proposals leading in early returns on Tuesday.

The $73 million Pike Place Market levy, Seattle Proposition 1, targeted basic, but expensive renovation for the 101-year-old Market. Supporters want to install a new more efficient heating and cooling system, replace parts of the plumbing and electrical system and make seismic upgrades to the brick buildings. Visitors would get two new sets of bathrooms and renovations to the existing bathrooms on the arcade level. Three elevators would also be added.

"We think this means the citizens of Seattle really do love the Market and they recognize the need for repairs," said Jackson Schmidt, chairman of the Pike Place Market public development authority council. "They voted for it despite the dire economic circumstances this country finds itself in."

The owner of an average Seattle home, assessed at $479,100 this year, would pay $43 a year beginning in 2009, or $9 per $100,000 of assessed value. The last major capital investment in the Market was made in the early 1970s after it was saved from demolition.

Seattle's Proposition 2, which would raise $146 million over six years for parks, would go toward buying land and renovating parks throughout the city. The owner of an average home would pay $91 a year or $19 per $100,000 of assessed value starting in 2009.

Michael McGinn, co-chair of the Seattle Parks for All campaign, said he had also been concerned about the economy but was encouraged by early election results. "We kind of know that Seattle voters really vote their values and their hopes and part of that is to make sure that we have great community gathering places."

The eight-year, $198 million parks levy, which also funded new parks and renovations to others, expires this year. Seattle taxpayers would see a drop in property taxes if either the Market or parks levy fails. There was no formal campaign opposing the ballot. But Mayor Greg Nickels voted no on the parks measure, saying now was not the time given the economy. He also said the package of projects in the levy could be better planned.

Bellevue's Proposition 1, also for parks, was leading in early returns. The $41 million Parks and Natural Area Levy would also go toward upgrading parks and buying land for new parks. The owner of a typical $580,000 Bellevue home would pay $71 a year for 20 years, or about $12 per $100,000 assessed value.

The state Public Disclosure Commission is investigating whether city officials improperly funded polls for the levy, passed on valuable information to its campaign and coordinated mailings with the campaign. The commission is still investigating, but if it found city officials had violated election rules, it would not have an effect on the parks levy.

Sharon Pian Chan: 206-464-2958 or schan@seattletimes.com