`String Of Pearls' -- City Should Promote Project
I am writing in regard to Dick Lilly's article on the Leschi "String of Pearls" street end project. I live in Leschi. I shop in Leschi. Much of my recreation occurs in the Leschi lakefront area. It infuriates me to see publicly owned land used in such a blatantly private manner as the street ends in Leschi. I fully support the Leschi "String of Pearls."
The concern voiced about increased crime is a smoke screen. What the adjoining property owners are trying to do is to protect their own self-interest. And who wouldn't? They stand to lose the free and exclusive use of public property if this project proceeds. The average value of the areas to be used by the project at the four street ends is approximately $200,000 (as calculated from the assessed value of the adjoining parcels).
So each of the adjoining property owners enjoys 30 feet of prime, low bank, Lake Washington waterfront property absolutely free. And they pay no taxes to boot. What a deal: no wonder they oppose any project that would take away "their" property.
The city should be promoting, not delaying, this project. Jared Smith
Seattle