Greetings supporters of Protect Volunteer Park, The plan to expand the Asian Art Museum is not yet approved. It remains unlawful under City zoning code (both in its bulk and lack of parking), and also the $8 million gift from the Ed Murray administration cannot be spent until the City Council approves a new development and lease agreement. This conservation center is a good example of why some of us think this expansion does not belong in a city-owned park building, nor does the city have any business paying $8 million for it. This is not a recreational use, it is an industrial process of no direct public benefit (except a "viewing window"!) which will serve private and institutional clients. It is good to have an Asian art conservation center, but it belongs in the 8 floors of expansion space in SAM's own building downtown, each floor of which has twice the area of SAM's proposed expansion in Volunteer Park. Despite the downtown building being publicly subsidized by a City bond guarantee, SAM officials prefer to continue leasing out the expansion space to its trustees' corporations (currently Nordstrom), and keeping all the lease revenue. That $8 million of City capital funds should be spent on the urgent needs of community centers such as at Lake City and Magnuson. The Volunteer Park area is already plenty well served. Please attend budget meeting and make comment: Seattle City Council’s Select Budget Committee Public Hearings on the Seattle Asian Art Museum Renovation, Parks Central Waterfront Rehabilitation Project, and Mayor’s 2018 proposed Budget November 1st at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 600 4th Avenue, Seattle Written comments on the Seattle Asian Art Museum Renovation, Parks Central Waterfront Piers Rehabilitation Project, and Mayor’s 2018 Proposed Budget are welcome up to the date the Council adopts the final budget (on or before November 20, 2017) via: USPS mail to Council member Herbold, Attn: Emilia Sanchez, Deputy City Clerk, PO Box 94728, Seattle, WA 98124-4728; or fax to (206) 386-9025; or e-mail to Council@seattle.gov. All comments received are considered public records. Thank you for your support, The Protect Volunteer Park Team visit: http://protectvolunteerpark.org https://www.facebook.com/protectvolunteerpark/