Letter: Opposed to sales tax increase for ‘Link’ project

I am opposed to the sales tax increase that’s proposed for expansion of the Three Rivers Convention Center — a project known as “The Link.”

The Kennewick Public Facilities District said there would be dedicated space for relocating the Windermere Theatre. As we know, the Windermere Theatre is a temporary conversion of the Toyota Center that provides a temporary stage and seating on the ice rink floor.

The proposed space in The Link for the Windermere Theatre does have dedicated space for a stage, orchestra pit and backstage areas, but what about seating? Only about 300 seats will be permanent theater-style seating. The other 2,000 seats will be roll-away seating that can nest against the back wall, much as you see with roll-away bleachers in a basketball court. However, instead of sitting on a bench, the seats will be individually upholstered. The space will primarily add more space to the convention center.

Spokane has its Opera House and Yakima has its Capital Theatre. All we will get in the Tri-Cities will be a make-do space in the convention center. We can do better than that. Vote no on the Kennewick PFD sales tax increase.

This story was originally published May 29, 2016 at 6:40 AM with the headline "Letter: Opposed to sales tax increase for ‘Link’ project."