Monthly Archives: July 2014

Please contact the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and ask them to prepare a Best Use Analysis of Saint Edward State Park before starting negotiations with the City of Kenmore.

The email address for the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commissioners and Director’s Office is Commission@parks.wa.gov.

Speak in person at the next regular meeting of State Parks Commission, September 18, 2014 in Ilwaco, WA.  Details on meeting location, agenda, and times can be found information on the State Parks Website. read more

On June 2, 2014, Kenmore City Council participated in their Mid-Year Retreat. While generally no action is taken at a retreat, on June 2 the City Council voted to hire an attorney to immediately begin negotiations with Washington State Parks. The goal of the negotiations is to allow City of Kenmore to take control of Saint Edward State Park buildings and core land.  City of Kenmore’s plan is to create a Public Development Authority (PDA) and appoint the PDA’s Board of Directors.

This PDA and planned changes in City of Kenmore zoning would pave the way for a developer to lease the core of the Park from the PDA and develop the property. The rationale stated at the retreat, without supporting evidence, is that the public has changed its mind about commercial development in the park. City Staff explained to the City Council that the City can collect a 4% annual tax in lieu of property tax as well as collect capital improvement fees.  The “pitch” for the public is that City is out to save a historic building. read more

The following was prepared by Citizens for Saint Edward State Park from the audio recording posted on the City of Kenmore website. The discussion of Saint Edward State Park occurs on Part 2 of the recording and begins at approximately minute 49.

Transcript of June 2, 2014, Kenmore City Council Mid-Year Retreat when discussing Saint Edward State Park:

Facilitator begins by stating that if saving the Seminary is important to the community, first step is to wrest control of the Building from State Parks. read more