Demonstration in favor of rebuilding the 14th Ave S bridge in South Park

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http://www.washblog.com/story/2010/3/29/1142/01125
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1. From Richard Conlin's newsletter

http://www.seattle.gov/council/conlin/miw/2010/1003_miw.htm#5

As we now know, the South Park Bridge has deteriorated past the point of repair, and is slated to permanently close on June 30, 2010, at 7:00 pm. While we are very concerned about the impact of this closure on our South Park neighborhood, this bridge is much more than a neighborhood bridge: it is a vital connector for multiple communities and a regional link for freight and our transportation system. A replacement is needed and anything less is unacceptable.

However, the County’s very difficult financial situation makes it increasingly unlikely that the County can find funding for the Bridge. Clearly, federal and regional support are needed to preserve this corridor for the South Park neighborhood and for the regional transportation system and economy.

For that reason, I, along with Councilmembers Sally Bagshaw and Tom Rasmussen, initiated a letter pledging our support to the County in working out a regional financial solution for the Bridge. We began by supporting a commitment of $18 million from the Puget Sound Regional Council for the project. All members of the Council have now signed a letter supporting the County’s application for the next round of stimulus dollars, agreeing to work with the County on securing other funding resources, and offering to consider a possible allocation of City dollars for the project.

Seattle wishes to participate in the regional development of a funding strategy because we know one agency cannot do this alone. The cost for a new bridge is approximately $150 million. In these economic times, no one entity has that amount of funding available, which is why partnerships are critical. We will need to reach out and work with other agencies, governments and businesses to identify and secure future funding.

We applaud the steps the County has taken in developing a broad coalition of stakeholders. We are eager to participate as a stakeholder, and look forward to working together to ensure a solution is found.