Cheney bond heads for vote in November

City hopes to raise $6 million for new park facility along Betz Road

By DAVID TELLER

Staff Reporter

The Cheney City Council approved Parks and Recreation Department director Paul Simmons' request to begin preparing ballot language for a $6 million bond to be voted on in November to pay for a new facility that would be built during the first phase of construction of the proposed 50-acre park on Betz Road.

If approved, the bond would increase property taxes by about $10 a month per $150,000 of assessed value. Simmons said it's a matter of viewing the tax as an investment for the community, for children, for seniors, for everyone.

“This project affects everyone in town,” Simmons told the City Council.

The loss of the Wren Pierson Building, which displaced the Parks Department, opened some options for Simmons. He said construction costs are low, the city has some “seed” money and there is a need.

“Now is the time,” he said.

Simmons gave the council a presentation of the costs surrounding a rebuilt Wren Pierson. The city is due to receive a settlement on the insurance claim. He said the city could either rebuild the Wren Pierson as it was, rebuild it differently to suit the department's needs or invest the money into something new.

The Wren Pierson is a heavy cost burden. Simmons said the boiler, which is a 1947 model, needs replacing to the tune of $45,000. The building needs painting, which is estimated to be $15,000. The kitchen in the building needs renovations, another $55,000, and annual maintenance costs hover around $40,000 a year. The proposed teen center in the lower level would be at least a $300,000 remodel.

Simmons questions investing that much money in annual costs and renovations for a building with that many problems.

“It's in very rough condition,” Simmons said.

In other news, the City Council unanimously approved to accept the proposal that would schedule a meeting between developer Steve Emtman and the City Council to discuss annexation of 273 acres of land southwest of Alki Street, between Cheney-Spangle Road and Cheney Plaza Road.

Per state law, in the meeting, the City Council will accept, reject or modify the proposed annexation, determine whether the annexation would require a zoning designation and whether the Emtman assumes existing indebtedness.

With a project of this magnatude, the City Council wants Emtman to be involved with the comprehensive plan rewrite to ensure that his plans for the land are conducive to the future growth of the city.

David Teller can be reached at [email protected]