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Nov. 10, 2006 at 6:51am

More money to keep Winthrop status quo?

Sounds like the developer AF Evans is sniffing around for more funds from the City of Tacoma to maintain the Winthrop as affordable housing. An email from KFnet friend Erik points to their gun-shy idea that they need to have this funding just in case a deal with Prium doesn't go through. Although somewhat understandable, the fact that other developers attention has been raised at the potential of renovating this grand old hotel should tell AF Evans to get off the status quo train and help encourage other developers to step up and take it off their hands. It's obvious Tacomans and our city leaders don't want to do business with Evans and we should encourage them with more funding.

Erik's email calls for folks to submit their comments to the TCRA Nov. 17th and also has some good Q&A:

Q1: What is being proposed?

A1: A.F. Evans is requesting yet another $1,500,000 from TCRA which would be used to keep the Winthrop Hotel a low income housing project instead of a restored Hotel. They made this request on 7:30 a.m. on November 9th in city hall.

Q2: I thought that Prium had purchased the Winthrop Hotel and it was to be renovated soon. I thought the deal was done. Why is AF Evans still in the picture?

A2: Prium apparently has an option to purchase the property. However, as of today, they do not have full rights to the property. According to Tacoma city officials AF Evans is "trying to keep all their options open" to keep the Winthrop Hotel a low income housing project if the Prium proposal does not come through.

Although we are all hopeful that the deal with Prium will be completed, we should not support or allow any contingency which would fail to restore the Winthrop Hotel and would waste taxpayer funds which could be used for other low income housing projects

Q3: Why should we object to AF Evans receiving $1,500,000 in taxpayer funds?

A3: There is an overwhelming consensus in Tacoma to restore the Winthrop Hotel as a hotel in downtown Tacoma and to provide better alternative housing for the current residents that is not so concentrated and can be safer. There have been dozens of articles and editorials on every aspect of the restoration of the Winthrop Hotel. There are numerous entities interested in restoring the Winthrop Hotel along with Quigg and Trabucco. Taxpayer funds are limited and should not be used to thwart this effort.

Q4: Why is my input important in the Winthrop issue? Will it make a difference? How can I voice my position in this matter?

A4: The TCRA is looking for public comments to decide whether they would support this project or not. We are very close to having the Winthrop Hotel restored. A restored Winthrop Hotel is considered by many to be one of the most critical steps to revitalizing downtown Tacoma.

If you have an opinion, send it over to Ryan Petty, Community and Economic Development, City of Tacoma, 9th floor, 747 Market Street, Tacoma, WA 98402-3766. Ryan.Petty@cityoftacoma.org.

Recently on KFnet: Winthrop may become Prium project
Previously on KFnet

posted by Kevin under af evans, prium companies, tacoma, winthrop hotel