Pencils working on event center

By Janice Podsada

Herald Writer

EDMONDS — Can the city afford a special events center? Or more accurately can Edmonds taxpayers afford the cost of building a $30 million conference center and performing arts center?

While Edmonds has access to state sales tax money earmarked for use by a public facilities district, the amount would only cover about 25 percent of the cost. The remaining 75 percent would be borne by private fundraisers and taxpayers, consultant George Robertson told members of the Edmonds Public Facilities District Monday.

"It requires about $55 per taxpayer for every $10 million."

That totals $165 per taxpayer for a $30 million project.

The amount covers only the capital costs; it does not include ongoing operating costs.

Robertson is a consultant with Property Counselors, a Seattle firm that is conducting a study to determine the demand for a conference and performing arts center in Edmonds.

Robertson said the facility could be expected to gross about $12 million a year.

The Edmonds PFD met Monday with consultants Robertson and Greg Easton, whose firm is preparing the final draft report, which will be presented to the PFD and made public Nov. 1.

PFD members learned that the likelihood the city could attract a private developer to construct a hotel adjoining a conference center is unlikely.

"Without a hotel you’re not going to attract the kind of groups that stay overnight and spend the dollars," Easton said.

"It’s not an attractive risk then if there isn’t a hotel infrastructure?" PFD board member John McGibbon said.

"It’s not," said Robertson, but some cities, such as Spokane, have built conference centers to accommodate group meetings without a hotel attached, Robertson said.

"People build them without having a hotel. Then they find a way to finance them, and then they bleed for awhile. Spokane did that."

As an alternative, Robertson recommended the PFD consider building only a 600- to 900-seat theater, which would serve local arts patrons and arts groups. Communities tend to support local theaters, Robertson said.

"Many times you don’t have to justify it in economic terms," Easton added.

For the city to realize the best economic returns, a theater is best located near existing shops and restaurants, which would dictate a downtown location. The theater’s 50-foot height would require that the downtown’s 30-foot building height limit be set aside, Robertson said.

"It will block somebody’s view. The question is do they value the view more than the theater? You can probably punch a hole in the height limits if it’s a theater. People love theater," Robertson said.

In light of the recent economic downturn, the PFD shouldn’t proceed without having some financial projections in light, Robertson said.

"You weigh in your mind the public costs to get to the economic development potential."

Roger Hertrich, a longtime Edmonds resident who attended the meeting, was concerned consultants could not say whether the project is feasible.

The decision is up to the city, Robertson replied. "It might be a good choice. It might not be."

You can call Herald Writer Janice Podsada at 425-339-3029 or send e-mail to podsada@heraldnet.com.

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