Chiming in on Kenmore city hall

I’m usually “Mr. No” when it comes to Kenmore, but I can see some sense to building a new city hall and perhaps making it large enough to accommodate a future government rather than a minimalist approach. I even like the idea of underground parking. Of course, if the city offices stayed in their current location, there would be no need for a new building, at least for a while. But if that area is going to be developed (and the forever-broken sidewalk repaired), they’ll need a new location or at least have to move elsewhere.

I know that there are often cost overruns in plans, but if they are not egregious, I can live with them. My main concern is that whatever the costs are, they are subject to the votes of Kenmore homeowners. A good plan can be sold to people, but only cowardly legislators resort to the local equivalent of “earmarks” with a councilmanic (gads, what an apropos name), bond.

Finally, if Kenmore would unincorporate and join Lake Forest Park, we wouldn’t need to build a new city hall. But I’ve beaten that dead horse so many times, I don’t even listen to myself anymore on that topic.

G. Saul Snatsky

Kenmore