Paine Field museum deserves county support

There’s a fine idea flying around Snohomish County for increasing tourism and serving local residents’ needs for cultural opportunities. It even has a home at Paine Field.

There is, moreover, plenty of support — of the spoken variety — for the idea of an aircraft museum and a conference center. In this area, who could doubt the value of preserving the rich history of the county’s connection with aircraft construction?

Unfortunately the $16 million plan continues to suffer from a not-necessarily-fatal setback before the Snohomish County Council two months ago. The council voted 3-2 against the plan, which was rejected by the Republican majority on a straight party line vote.

That vote blocked having the proposal considered for $2.6 million in financing from the Snohomish County Public Facilities District. The council majority decided that it wouldn’t be fair — somehow — for a proposal backed by a county department, such as the county-operated airport, to compete for funds. With council chair Gary Nelson hailing from Edmonds, which has its own PFD proposal in the works, there have been suggestions that south county politics played a factor. Nelson has denied the claims.

In any case, there’s no reason to think that Republican council members wouldn’t be as interested in the plan as anyone else. Support behind the scenes is reportedly strong, with backers of the museum hearing welcome words of encouragement and even talk of other funding ideas.

The project is certainly worth encouragement. The plans envision an exhibition center run by the Museum of Flight, an expanded Boeing tour center and convention space. Promoters say the project would turn today’s 120,000 annual Boeing tours into 200,000 a year, a claim that seems entirely plausible.

Despite the vote by the council, a Paine Field project could properly be considered — on its merits — by the Public Facilities District. At least two other counties are said to have county-supported plans receiving a share of their local PFD funds.

There’s no reason that the PFD model is the only one that could work. Certainly, though, any alternate plan ought to be one that is designed, like the PFD mechanism, to avoid any impact on county services to the public.

It’s time to turn talk into concrete answers that either move in a new direction or reverse the earlier vote.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Friday, Feb. 7

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Curtains act as doors for a handful of classrooms at Glenwood Elementary on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Schools’ building needs point to election reform

Construction funding requests in Arlington and Lake Stevens show need for a change to bond elections.

Schwab: Trump proves not as bad as feared; it’s worse

Taking food and medicine from kids; surrendering control to Musk; is this what you voted for?

Keep necessary homeless service program at its Everett location

Regarding The Herald’s front-page coverage of the Hope ‘N Wellness community services… Continue reading

We can’t afford the rich not paying their fair share

In a recent column, Todd Welch claims that a wealth tax on… Continue reading

Can we find a politically moderate path, please?

I was just wondering what happened to the moderates. I am a… Continue reading

Kristof: World’s richest men take on world’s poorest people

Trump says the USAID is run by ‘radical lunitics.’ Is saving countless lives now lunacy.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, Feb. 6

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Lake Stevens school bond funds needed safety work at all schools

A parent’s greatest fear is for something bad to happen to their… Continue reading

Arlington schools capital levy: Say yes to new Post Middle School

Schools are the backbone of the Arlington community. Families want to move… Continue reading

Long sentences not much of a deterrent but serve justice

A recent column by Todd Welch mentions a trope that ignores one… Continue reading

Comment: Trump’s stress-test of Constitution shows it’s up to job

Keep filing lawsuits and the courts will bat down his unconstitutional orders; as long as he follows the rulings.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.