Friday, November 14, 2008
KUOW
I was interviewed by KUOW this morning. They are investigating the issue and will air a report on Monday. Looking forward to hearing it!
Last Night's Meeting
Last night's Parks meeting was interesting! Nudity was a topic on the table, and the local media was out in full force. I appear in a few of the crowd shots on TV last night, along with the "clothed nudists."
There is a public hearing time at the beginning of each meeting, and you are allowed 2 minutes to speak. I presented some of the points in the letter I had sent them. I managed not to pass out, which was good because it's hard to squeeze everything into two minutes and to remember to breathe!
The commissioners asked a lot of questions of Rebecca Salinas, Charles Ng, and Superintended Gallagher. Many of the questions were from my letter. I appreciate that they all took the time to carefully read and consider the points I brought up.
Information learned:
- Most of the $1.1 million that was budgeted for WSS repairs was spent on emergency Burke-Gilman Trail repairs. The rest disappeared in a shrinking budget.
- The RFP says something about a 10-year lease, but Gallagher wants to make that flexible
- The start date of April 2009 is flexible, but despite concerns from the Commissioners about scheduling, Gallagher did nothing to guarantee that events this spring will be able to be scheduled as usual (this is a big problem for SPU who is slated to host the GNAC Championships this year)
- The board is very interested in having input from the track and field community at every phase of this project. Gallagher refused to allow anyone from the track community to be involved in this next phase of the project.
- In response to criticism about their failure to post signs at the facility until after the public hearing, Salinas said that they don't normally do that type of thing. Commissioners Terry Holme called her out on that and said they DO normally do that type of thing in these situations.
- Gallagher emphasized that the RFP does not _require_ an artificial surface on the infield. I am going to call BS on this one. I have spent the past 2 years working on my masters in Sports Administration and Leadership at Seattle University. Based on everything I know about sports economics, grass fields, and this local climate, the only way it will be financially feasible for an outside group to make these investments and recoup their money is to have a field turf infield and to rent the heck out of it.
The board vote 4-1 in favor of moving forward with the RFP, but they made it clear they wanted to be involved in the process.
I would have preferred to have seen it voted down, but I do feel confident that the Board is looking out for the best interests of the track and field community, and as long as we keep communicating with them, we stand a fighting chance.
I hear Mayor Greg Nickels is a track and field fan...
There is a public hearing time at the beginning of each meeting, and you are allowed 2 minutes to speak. I presented some of the points in the letter I had sent them. I managed not to pass out, which was good because it's hard to squeeze everything into two minutes and to remember to breathe!
The commissioners asked a lot of questions of Rebecca Salinas, Charles Ng, and Superintended Gallagher. Many of the questions were from my letter. I appreciate that they all took the time to carefully read and consider the points I brought up.
Information learned:
- Most of the $1.1 million that was budgeted for WSS repairs was spent on emergency Burke-Gilman Trail repairs. The rest disappeared in a shrinking budget.
- The RFP says something about a 10-year lease, but Gallagher wants to make that flexible
- The start date of April 2009 is flexible, but despite concerns from the Commissioners about scheduling, Gallagher did nothing to guarantee that events this spring will be able to be scheduled as usual (this is a big problem for SPU who is slated to host the GNAC Championships this year)
- The board is very interested in having input from the track and field community at every phase of this project. Gallagher refused to allow anyone from the track community to be involved in this next phase of the project.
- In response to criticism about their failure to post signs at the facility until after the public hearing, Salinas said that they don't normally do that type of thing. Commissioners Terry Holme called her out on that and said they DO normally do that type of thing in these situations.
- Gallagher emphasized that the RFP does not _require_ an artificial surface on the infield. I am going to call BS on this one. I have spent the past 2 years working on my masters in Sports Administration and Leadership at Seattle University. Based on everything I know about sports economics, grass fields, and this local climate, the only way it will be financially feasible for an outside group to make these investments and recoup their money is to have a field turf infield and to rent the heck out of it.
The board vote 4-1 in favor of moving forward with the RFP, but they made it clear they wanted to be involved in the process.
I would have preferred to have seen it voted down, but I do feel confident that the Board is looking out for the best interests of the track and field community, and as long as we keep communicating with them, we stand a fighting chance.
I hear Mayor Greg Nickels is a track and field fan...
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Letter to the Parks Board
Dear Parks Department Board Members,
Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this letter. I am writing today on behalf of Club Northwest, a local non-profit organization who has been listed as a historic user of West Seattle Stadium.
While researching this issue, we have come across important unanswered questions and issues that we feel should be addressed before the Board moves forward with the RFP process.
- The 2007-2012 and 2008-2013 Capital Improvement Plans both budgeted just over a million dollars for renovations to West Seattle Stadium. Why was this money not spent and where did it go?
- Charles Ng told the Delridge Council meeting that the Stadium would need to be closed if these renovations were not made. Yet many of the renovations listed in the RFP certainly seem be be desired but not necessary to maintain function of the facility. The Parks Department should address publicly which improvements are necessary to keep the facility open.
- The Parks Department should address the $3 million difference between what they deemed necessary in the Capital Improvement Plans and what is now being deemed necessary in the RFP. They should also address why these crucial and necessary improvements were not completed under project ID K733141 which ran from 2004-2006.
- The RFP mentions replacing the turf on the infield. We cannot stress enough that replacing the infield with an artificial surface will destroy the ability of the facility to host full-fledged track and field competitions. Millions of dollars have been invested to equip the facility to host high-level track and field competitions, including the construction of facilities for events such as the steeplechase and hammer throw which are not contested at the high school level in this state. An artificial surface such as field turf may allow rubber-tipped javelins such as the high schoolers throw, but the normal javelins thrown by collegiate, open, and masters athletes cannot be thrown on this surface. The footprint of the facility is such that it is not possible to install a full-length javelin runway elsewhere and have adequate room to throw the javelin. Therefore, replacing the grass field with an artificial surface will eliminate West Seattle Stadium from being in contention to host any serious collegiate or open track and field meets, which will effectively waste millions of dollars which were invested in making the facility up to par for these events. The most recent improvements to the facility were completed in the summer of 2007.
- It is also important to note that West Seattle Stadium is the only facility in the greater Seattle area with the ability to contest all track and field events. Even the University of Washington does not have the ability to contest hammer. The next closest facilities are in Bellingham and Tacoma. Yet there are hundreds of fields with artificial surfaces in the Seattle area.
- West Seattle Stadium is a site with a rich history. According to a survey conducted by the City of Seattle, the site appears to meet the criteria of both the National Register of Historic Places and the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance (http://web1.seattle.gov/dpd/historicalsite/QueryResult.aspx?ID=532826599) Replacing the grass field with an artificial surface would surely destroy much of the historic character of the facility.
- We are very concerned with our inability to provide input after the November 13 board meeting. The RFP is very vague and we fear that while many historic users have not completely opposed the idea, that elements will be introduced after November 13 that we would oppose, but we will have no chance to protest. Bait and switch as it were.
- We are also very concerned about the lack of notification to recreational users of the facility. Signs posted at West Seattle Stadium are dated October 30, posted well after the public hearing, and giving users less than 2 weeks to submit input. The information about the deadline for submitting written information to the Board has been removed from the website (or is no longer prominently displayed with the RFP). With the RFP currently posted, it is not clear to the public that they have the opportunity to comment on this issue, and they are directed to Charles Ng, not to Sandy Brooks. It is also important to note that the peak usage of recreational users at the facility is in the spring and summer when the weather is nice. Posting signs from October 30 to November 13 is a token effort that will reach very few of the public users.
- The current timeline allows private parties to begin operating West Seattle Stadium in April of 2009, which is right in the middle of the track season. This will make it very difficult for most historic users to schedule their practices and events at the facility. According to Doris Heritage at SPU, the Parks Department is no longer willing to schedule track meets for this spring due to the uncertainty of the situation.
In conclusion, Club Northwest urges the Parks Department Board of Directors to not adopt the current RFP and timeline. We urge the board to hold the Superintendent accountable to the questions and issues raised above. Once those issues are addressed, if the Board wishes to move forward with the RFP process, we urge them to adopt a timeline that does not transfer control of the facility until August 2009, so that the Parks Department can retain control of the facility and scheduling events through that time in order to minimize disruption to historic track and field users.
Thank you for your consideration,
Becca Gillespy
Team Manager
Club Northwest
http://www.clubnorthwest.org/
Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this letter. I am writing today on behalf of Club Northwest, a local non-profit organization who has been listed as a historic user of West Seattle Stadium.
While researching this issue, we have come across important unanswered questions and issues that we feel should be addressed before the Board moves forward with the RFP process.
- The 2007-2012 and 2008-2013 Capital Improvement Plans both budgeted just over a million dollars for renovations to West Seattle Stadium. Why was this money not spent and where did it go?
- Charles Ng told the Delridge Council meeting that the Stadium would need to be closed if these renovations were not made. Yet many of the renovations listed in the RFP certainly seem be be desired but not necessary to maintain function of the facility. The Parks Department should address publicly which improvements are necessary to keep the facility open.
- The Parks Department should address the $3 million difference between what they deemed necessary in the Capital Improvement Plans and what is now being deemed necessary in the RFP. They should also address why these crucial and necessary improvements were not completed under project ID K733141 which ran from 2004-2006.
- The RFP mentions replacing the turf on the infield. We cannot stress enough that replacing the infield with an artificial surface will destroy the ability of the facility to host full-fledged track and field competitions. Millions of dollars have been invested to equip the facility to host high-level track and field competitions, including the construction of facilities for events such as the steeplechase and hammer throw which are not contested at the high school level in this state. An artificial surface such as field turf may allow rubber-tipped javelins such as the high schoolers throw, but the normal javelins thrown by collegiate, open, and masters athletes cannot be thrown on this surface. The footprint of the facility is such that it is not possible to install a full-length javelin runway elsewhere and have adequate room to throw the javelin. Therefore, replacing the grass field with an artificial surface will eliminate West Seattle Stadium from being in contention to host any serious collegiate or open track and field meets, which will effectively waste millions of dollars which were invested in making the facility up to par for these events. The most recent improvements to the facility were completed in the summer of 2007.
- It is also important to note that West Seattle Stadium is the only facility in the greater Seattle area with the ability to contest all track and field events. Even the University of Washington does not have the ability to contest hammer. The next closest facilities are in Bellingham and Tacoma. Yet there are hundreds of fields with artificial surfaces in the Seattle area.
- West Seattle Stadium is a site with a rich history. According to a survey conducted by the City of Seattle, the site appears to meet the criteria of both the National Register of Historic Places and the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance (http://web1.seattle.gov/dpd/historicalsite/QueryResult.aspx?ID=532826599) Replacing the grass field with an artificial surface would surely destroy much of the historic character of the facility.
- We are very concerned with our inability to provide input after the November 13 board meeting. The RFP is very vague and we fear that while many historic users have not completely opposed the idea, that elements will be introduced after November 13 that we would oppose, but we will have no chance to protest. Bait and switch as it were.
- We are also very concerned about the lack of notification to recreational users of the facility. Signs posted at West Seattle Stadium are dated October 30, posted well after the public hearing, and giving users less than 2 weeks to submit input. The information about the deadline for submitting written information to the Board has been removed from the website (or is no longer prominently displayed with the RFP). With the RFP currently posted, it is not clear to the public that they have the opportunity to comment on this issue, and they are directed to Charles Ng, not to Sandy Brooks. It is also important to note that the peak usage of recreational users at the facility is in the spring and summer when the weather is nice. Posting signs from October 30 to November 13 is a token effort that will reach very few of the public users.
- The current timeline allows private parties to begin operating West Seattle Stadium in April of 2009, which is right in the middle of the track season. This will make it very difficult for most historic users to schedule their practices and events at the facility. According to Doris Heritage at SPU, the Parks Department is no longer willing to schedule track meets for this spring due to the uncertainty of the situation.
In conclusion, Club Northwest urges the Parks Department Board of Directors to not adopt the current RFP and timeline. We urge the board to hold the Superintendent accountable to the questions and issues raised above. Once those issues are addressed, if the Board wishes to move forward with the RFP process, we urge them to adopt a timeline that does not transfer control of the facility until August 2009, so that the Parks Department can retain control of the facility and scheduling events through that time in order to minimize disruption to historic track and field users.
Thank you for your consideration,
Becca Gillespy
Team Manager
Club Northwest
http://www.clubnorthwest.org/
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Why the difference in dollar amounts?
For over a year, the city budgeted to spend just over $1 million to make the necessary upgrades to West Seattle Stadium. Suddenly the money is gone. Where did it go?
Now the city claims that the stadium needs $4 million in renovations or it will have to close. What is the $3 million differnce? My guess is that the $4 million includes the cost of replacing the grass with field turf and other upgrades that are not "necessary" to keep the stadium open.
Now the city claims that the stadium needs $4 million in renovations or it will have to close. What is the $3 million differnce? My guess is that the $4 million includes the cost of replacing the grass with field turf and other upgrades that are not "necessary" to keep the stadium open.
Where did the money go?
http://www.seattle.gov/financedepartment/0712adoptedcip/dpr_projects.pdf
West Seattle Stadium Renovation
BCL/Program Name: Ballfields/Athletic Courts/Play Areas
BCL/Program Code: K72445
Project Type: Rehabilitation or Restoration
Start Date: 3rd Quarter 2007
End Date: 1st Quarter 2009
Project ID: K732330
Location: 4432 35th Ave. SW
Neighborhood District: Delridge
Neighborhood Plan: Not in a Neighborhood Plan
Neighborhood Plan Matrix: N/A
Urban Village: Not in an Urban Village
This project makes various improvements to West Seattle Stadium including renovating the comfort station located
under the north stands, improving ADA accessibility, repairing the perimeter fence, and renovating the walkway and
stairs on the west end of the north stands. These improvements extend the useful life of these facilities and improve ADA
accessibility to the stands and the comfort station. Operations and maintenance costs will be requested in future budget
processes.
This part comes from a chart that doesn't copy and paste well, so it's best to click the link and see the original (search for
West Seattle Stadium)
Revenue Sources
Real Estate Excise Tax II
2007: 250
2008: 845
Total: 1,095
Fund Appropriations/Allocations
Cumulative Reserve Subfund - REET II Subaccount
(same numbers as above)
Dollar amounts are in thousands.
The 2008-2013 CIP ( http://www.seattle.gov/financedepartment/0813adoptedcip/dpr_projects.pdf ) has the same item. All information is the same except the end date is moved from 1st quarter 2009 to 4th quarter 2008.
The project then disappears from the 2009-2014 CIP.
West Seattle Stadium Renovation
BCL/Program Name: Ballfields/Athletic Courts/Play Areas
BCL/Program Code: K72445
Project Type: Rehabilitation or Restoration
Start Date: 3rd Quarter 2007
End Date: 1st Quarter 2009
Project ID: K732330
Location: 4432 35th Ave. SW
Neighborhood District: Delridge
Neighborhood Plan: Not in a Neighborhood Plan
Neighborhood Plan Matrix: N/A
Urban Village: Not in an Urban Village
This project makes various improvements to West Seattle Stadium including renovating the comfort station located
under the north stands, improving ADA accessibility, repairing the perimeter fence, and renovating the walkway and
stairs on the west end of the north stands. These improvements extend the useful life of these facilities and improve ADA
accessibility to the stands and the comfort station. Operations and maintenance costs will be requested in future budget
processes.
This part comes from a chart that doesn't copy and paste well, so it's best to click the link and see the original (search for
West Seattle Stadium)
Revenue Sources
Real Estate Excise Tax II
2007: 250
2008: 845
Total: 1,095
Fund Appropriations/Allocations
Cumulative Reserve Subfund - REET II Subaccount
(same numbers as above)
Dollar amounts are in thousands.
The 2008-2013 CIP ( http://www.seattle.gov/financedepartment/0813adoptedcip/dpr_projects.pdf ) has the same item. All information is the same except the end date is moved from 1st quarter 2009 to 4th quarter 2008.
The project then disappears from the 2009-2014 CIP.
Renovations to West Seattle Stadium in the past 15 years
I am sure this is not a complete list, but here are a few I found.
From 1993:
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19930430&slug=1698773
West Seattle Stadium will be closed for a year while the existing sod and soil is removed and grass is reseeded on a durable sand-based structure, the Parks Department says.
The stadium will reopen for the fall 1994 football season.
"The existing field composition was inadequate to the demands of last fall's approximately 170 games of high school, junior tackle, junior flag and adult flag football games," said Gavin Layton, a Parks Department spokesman.
Games that normally would be scheduled at West Seattle Stadium will be rescheduled at various West Seattle playfields or Memorial Stadium at Seattle Center, Layton said.
The department estimates the project will cost $25,000.
Until the new turf is established, keep off the grass, says the Parks Department.
http://www.seattle.gov/financedepartment/0510proposedcip/05-10_Proposed_CIP_DPR_Project_Detail.pdf
West Seattle Stadium - Improvements
BCL Name: 2000 Parks Levy - Playfields and Facilities
BCL Code: K723005
Type: Improved Facility
Project ID: K733141
Start Date: 1st Quarter 2004
End Date: 4th Quarter 2006
Location: 4432 35th Ave. SW
Neighborhood District: Southwest
Neighborhood Plan: Not in a Neighborhood Plan
Urban Village: West Seattle Junction
This project, part of the 2000 Parks Levy, improves West Seattle Stadium for a variety of active uses including track and field.
Proposed Joint Athletic Field Development Program improvements include renovation of existing grandstands, restroom/concession
facility, maintenance facility, new lighting, rubberized track, high jump areas, long/triple jump, pole vault, shot put, javelin
throw, steeple chase, hammer throw, and discus areas. The Department intends to pursue an option that allows for a full complement
of track and field events and retains the Stadium for football use. This is a lighted grass facility. The improvements replace the
lighting and improve the grass as well as develop capacity for new events. The scope of work for this project is to be developed
through a community process, working within the budget identified below and other non-levy fund sources that become available.
Operations and maintenance costs associated with levy projects are to be funded out of levy proceeds through 2008.
The 2006-2011, 2004-2009, and 2003-2008 CIP says the same thing. Does not appear in the 2002-2007 CIP
http://www.atlastrack-tennis.com/news.php
West Seattle Stadium Track Resurface - June 2007
Atlas Track & Tennis recently completed the 1.1 million dollar track renovation project for the City of Seattle's Parks and
Recreation Department at historic West Seattle Stadium. Renovation of the old West Seattle Stadium included removal and disposal of the old surface, sub-base repairs and application of a new 18mm ATLAS SW surface.
Atlas and their sub-contractor, Premier Fields, teamed together to upgrade the entire facility including new long jump pits, steeplechase, pole vault, discus and shot put event areas. New equipment lighting and a water retention pond were also added to the facility to handle the heavy rains that Seattle is known for.
From 1993:
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19930430&slug=1698773
West Seattle Stadium will be closed for a year while the existing sod and soil is removed and grass is reseeded on a durable sand-based structure, the Parks Department says.
The stadium will reopen for the fall 1994 football season.
"The existing field composition was inadequate to the demands of last fall's approximately 170 games of high school, junior tackle, junior flag and adult flag football games," said Gavin Layton, a Parks Department spokesman.
Games that normally would be scheduled at West Seattle Stadium will be rescheduled at various West Seattle playfields or Memorial Stadium at Seattle Center, Layton said.
The department estimates the project will cost $25,000.
Until the new turf is established, keep off the grass, says the Parks Department.
http://www.seattle.gov/financedepartment/0510proposedcip/05-10_Proposed_CIP_DPR_Project_Detail.pdf
West Seattle Stadium - Improvements
BCL Name: 2000 Parks Levy - Playfields and Facilities
BCL Code: K723005
Type: Improved Facility
Project ID: K733141
Start Date: 1st Quarter 2004
End Date: 4th Quarter 2006
Location: 4432 35th Ave. SW
Neighborhood District: Southwest
Neighborhood Plan: Not in a Neighborhood Plan
Urban Village: West Seattle Junction
This project, part of the 2000 Parks Levy, improves West Seattle Stadium for a variety of active uses including track and field.
Proposed Joint Athletic Field Development Program improvements include renovation of existing grandstands, restroom/concession
facility, maintenance facility, new lighting, rubberized track, high jump areas, long/triple jump, pole vault, shot put, javelin
throw, steeple chase, hammer throw, and discus areas. The Department intends to pursue an option that allows for a full complement
of track and field events and retains the Stadium for football use. This is a lighted grass facility. The improvements replace the
lighting and improve the grass as well as develop capacity for new events. The scope of work for this project is to be developed
through a community process, working within the budget identified below and other non-levy fund sources that become available.
Operations and maintenance costs associated with levy projects are to be funded out of levy proceeds through 2008.
The 2006-2011, 2004-2009, and 2003-2008 CIP says the same thing. Does not appear in the 2002-2007 CIP
http://www.atlastrack-tennis.com/news.php
West Seattle Stadium Track Resurface - June 2007
Atlas Track & Tennis recently completed the 1.1 million dollar track renovation project for the City of Seattle's Parks and
Recreation Department at historic West Seattle Stadium. Renovation of the old West Seattle Stadium included removal and disposal of the old surface, sub-base repairs and application of a new 18mm ATLAS SW surface.
Atlas and their sub-contractor, Premier Fields, teamed together to upgrade the entire facility including new long jump pits, steeplechase, pole vault, discus and shot put event areas. New equipment lighting and a water retention pond were also added to the facility to handle the heavy rains that Seattle is known for.
How can we find the missing information?
The above scope of work is identified in the Department’s capital asset plan
- How can the public access this capital asset plan?
All I found was the 2007-2012 Capital Improvement Plan which does not mention West Seattle Stadium at all.
- If these repairs to West Seattle Stadium are so urgent, why are they not included in the 2007-2012 CIP? http://www.seattle.gov/financedepartment/0712adoptedcip/dpr_overview.pdf
- The earliest the public had notice of the RFP was fall of 2008. How long has the Parks Department been considering this?
The 2009-2010 Budget Presentation ( http://www.seattle.gov/council/budget/attachments/1007_dpr.pdf ) mentions:
"2010 - West Seattle Stadium Transition (-$34,000)"
- What does this mean?
- How can the public access this capital asset plan?
All I found was the 2007-2012 Capital Improvement Plan which does not mention West Seattle Stadium at all.
- If these repairs to West Seattle Stadium are so urgent, why are they not included in the 2007-2012 CIP? http://www.seattle.gov/financedepartment/0712adoptedcip/dpr_overview.pdf
- The earliest the public had notice of the RFP was fall of 2008. How long has the Parks Department been considering this?
The 2009-2010 Budget Presentation ( http://www.seattle.gov/council/budget/attachments/1007_dpr.pdf ) mentions:
"2010 - West Seattle Stadium Transition (-$34,000)"
- What does this mean?
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