We at Protect Volunteer Park have learned that, last Thursday, the City Council scheduled a hearing about spending $19 million for Asian Art Museum expansion: TOMORROW, Wednesday 11/1 5:30 PM City Council chambers If you plan to come and speak, optionally RSVP to us at: pvpinfo@protectvolunteerpark.org We would appreciate any help in getting people to come out and ask for the $8 million to be redirected to the capital needs of community centers! Here we have a few suggested talking points, most important first: * We do not object to the $11 million proposed for seismic and ADA renovations ($9 million of which was approved by levy). * We do object to the additional proposed spending of $8 million, added by the Murray administration, to pay for expansion of the Asian Art Museum building into Volunteer Park. * Those funds are needed for capital repairs or replacement of community centers such as Green Lake, Lake City, and Magnuson. * The Volunteer Park neighborhood is a well-served area not in an urban village. Expanding facilities there is contrary to the Parks Department's own 2017 plan, which calls for expanding facilities in underserved areas in the urban villages. * This hearing is not a very open public process. It was scheduled with 6 days notice, with no notification of the many people who have taken the time to comment with the City about this proposal, specifically via the Parks Dept., the Dept. of Constructions and Inspections, and the Landmarks Preservation Board. * As of the day before the hearing, October 1, there was not even an agenda for this hearing on the web page of the City Council or Select Budget Committee. The web page says there is a budget hearing, but does not specify the topic. * The timing of this hearing is denying the ability for people to comment on the development and lease agreement that goes with the proposed expansion, and its public benefits. The new agreement is still being negotiated by the Parks Department and no information is available about it. * The terms of the current lease agreement are of concern, giving Seattle Art Museum (SAM) free rent in the City-owned-and-maintained building, free parking in Volunteer Park, plus payments from the City to reimburse SAM's spending on utilities and custodial services. * Contrary to Parks Department policy, there was no public involvement process that considered any alternatives to the expansion into Volunteer Park, or any alternative designs to SAM's single proposal. Best regards, Jonathan Mark Protect Volunteer Park pvpinfo@protectvolunteerpark.org