I want to respond to Susan Gardner’s letter “Revising history with Saint Edward Seminary” in the Dec. 20 issue. I served on the citizen advisory committee during the park CAMP process, and am a past president of the Friends of Saint Edward State Park.

With all due respect, the historical revisions are flying thick and fast. McMenamins is a great company with a great business model. It’s easy to see why many thought the seminary building would be a good candidate for one of their destination facilities. But the proposal fell of its own weight for two reasons; first, the huge cost of the needed repairs to the building, and second, its location at the end of a long, two-lane cul-de-sac, which most members of the community would like to keep in its current condition.

The proposal didn’t fail because of opposition from “a few bicyclists and play field advocates.” And regarding the opposition, it consisted of a vast majority of the surrounding community in Kenmore and Kirkland.

I look forward to hearing more about the new proposal for re-use of the seminary building at the Jan. 14 public meeting, and hope a use can be found that results in rehabilitation of the building as long as the rest of the park is protected for future generations to enjoy as it is now.

Tom Fitzpatrick, Kenmore