Westminster Cultural Center

* Re “Marketing Study Will Delay Cultural Center,” Jan. 16:

Westminster’s proposed Community Cultural Center is the focus of a lot of political sleight of hand. There is no study to document the need for such a facility. Its value to the community is a fairy tale conjured up by Westminster’s City Council.

Financing for the facility also lacks a rational base. They are over $2 million short of their budget, even after taking the entire park dedication fund ($400,000), which results in putting all park maintenance in jeopardy.

Furthermore, the council-approved budget has been vaporized by the council-approved design. On May 5, the City Council approved a budget of $7.3 million for this project. On Dec. 22, the architect submitted a design with an estimated project cost of $7.6 million.

On March 2, the City Council authorized the project to proceed at the $7.6-million level, thereby assuring a cost overrun of at least $300,000 even before the first nail is driven.

This facility is not intended for casual use. It is intended for commercial use, with people paying to attend a banquet, rent a conference room or see a theatrical production. Residents, after paying to have it built, will have to pay again to use the facility.

Why not be honest with the residents and let them decide with a vote whether or not they want to proceed with this project?

ROBERT J. CROSSLEY

Westminster