Letter: Boondoggle

Published 12:15 am Saturday, October 5, 2024

The Cannon Beach Elementary School Rejuvenation Project is a boondoggle. (Noun: work or activity that is wasteful or pointless but gives the appearance of having value; verb: waste money or time on unnecessary or questionable projects.)

From the beginning, this project has been changing and morphing as it has grown in size, scope and cost. At first it was projected to be a $4 million project that would serve as an event and community center. To that end, the city of Cannon Beach sold bonds (totaling $4.6 million) in 2022.

Today the former Cannon Beach Elementary School has evolved into an inflated, $12.4 million state-of-the-art tourist facility and community center. This number does not reflect interest on the debt service, which could be an additional $20 million-plus.

The reality is, it’s too expensive. It’s located in a tsunami zone, with no parking, a cap on the maximum number of attendees at 300 and with a proposed annual operating budget of between $500,000 to $800,000 per year. It sounds like a financial black hole.

We support the idea that the site should honor the heritage of the Clatsop-Nehalem tribes, and the Cannon Beach Community Food Pantry, as well as other nonprofit organizations. But let us explore more affordable and fiscally responsible options, such as the development of a thoughtfully considered “longhouse” and park improvements at half the cost of this proposed albatross.

Please consider a “no” vote on Measure 4-234.

PATRICK NOFIELD

Cannon Beach