Put park in place of isthmus blight

The lead sentence in Andy Hobbs’ April 1 article in The Olympian is grossly misleading. It says: “The vacant nine-story tower on downtown Olympia’s isthmus may be nearing the end of its days as the city’s biggest eyesore.”

Actually, the eyesore would continue. It would just have people in it.

This nine-story tall building is not an eyesore because it is empty. It’s an eyesore because this gigantic building does not belong on the isthmus, where it blocks views and prevents the public from enjoying a park on the isthmus.

The real estate developer’s plan to add a 3-story parking garage would make the eyesore even worse!

Olympia’s voters kicked out the City Council members who wanted to build a convention center in violation of the public will. A few years later the voters kicked out the City Council members who wanted to build tall buildings in violation of the public will. Must we do this again?

I support the public’s preference for removing the ugly building and creating a park on the isthmus so everyone can enjoy the open space and the beautiful views.

This story was originally published April 18, 2016 at 8:55 AM with the headline "Put park in place of isthmus blight."