Mountalke Terrace voters could see Civic Campus on 2012 ballot

Published 12:01 am Saturday, May 7, 2011

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — As early as spring 2012, voters in Mountlake Terrace could be asked again to vote on a proposed Civic Campus project.

Some City Council members said they want to volley the project back to the voters so long as the timing is right and the project is scaled down during the April 28 study session.

Councilwoman Michelle Robles said she wants to go back to the voters in spring 2012 and avoid the presidential election.

“We’ll have voters’ attention, but they won’t be overwhelmed or annoyed with the amount of media that comes out in presidential years,” Robles said.

The council is scheduled to continue talks this summer.

“My push is to keep it out in front of the community and not let them think we’ll let it die,” Mayor Jerry Smith said.

The old facility was demolished after the roof collapsed in July 2008, which had made the building unusable.

Reports from the 1980s showed the former building had structural issues and during the 1990s consultants recommended the building be replaced.

A levy to replace the Civic Campus failed in November with only 47 percent approval. The measure requires a 60 percent approval.

“The economic conditions were too much for voters,” city manger John Caulfield said.

Post-election survey results prompted officials to consider a scaled-down version of the Civic Campus. One idea shaves roughly 24 percent off the original $35 million price tag. Voters considered a Civic Campus that included services such as a police station, farmers market and senior center in one location.

Funding options include a six-year property tax lid lift or seeking another capital bond. A ballot issue could come as early as 2012 or wait until the city joins a proposed regional fire authority, relying on money saved from fire services to offset construction costs.

The Civic Campus lacked a grass-roots campaign and group of stakeholders to push for votes, said Scott Hugill, assistant city manager.

Survey results showed voters were unaware of a campaign. He pointed out the city still has time to take advantage of a competitive bidding climate too.

“We’re chasing a storm here, we need to act quickly.”