So, tell me again, what's the point of having a "Capital Hill Arts District" if artists and arts venues can't afford to operate IN the Capitol Hill Arts District?

The plan to expand the Asian Art Museum is actually not yet approved. It remains unlawful under City zoning code (both in its bulk and lack of parking), and also the $8 million gift from the Ed Murray administration cannot be spent until the City Council approves a new development and lease agreement.

This conservation center is a good example of why some of us think this expansion does not belong in a city-owned park building, nor does the city have any business paying $8 million for it. This is not a recreational use, it is an industrial process of no direct public benefit (except a "viewing window"!) which will serve private and institutional clients. It is good to have an Asian art conservation center, but it belongs in the 8 floors of expansion space in SAM's own building downtown, each floor of which has twice the area of SAM's proposed expansion in Volunteer Park.

Despite the downtown building being publicly subsidized by a City bond guarantee, SAM officials prefer to continue leasing out the expansion space to its trustees' corporations (currently Nordstrom), and keeping all the lease revenue. That $8 million of City capital funds should be spent on the urgent needs of community centers such as at Lake City and Magnuson. The Volunteer Park area is already plenty well served.