Over 400 property owners officially objected to the proposed final LID assessments in writing, despite a tight timeline for when objections were due (very soon after the letters were mailed).

Many property owners within the LID reported challenges with pulling together detailed objections, particularly those who needed to engage appraisers or legal counsel.  Hearings have been scheduled through the end of April to accommodate the volume of objectors.

A few of the key objections that have surfaced during this process include:

• Local Improvement Districts must demonstrate a special benefit, e.g. sewer line that clearly increases the value of the property, but the Waterfront improvements provide a general benefit

• The design is not complete for the Waterfront improvements, so the valuation of any benefit is premature and speculative

• The LID boundary is arbitrary

• The appraisal process shows a lack of understanding of different types of properties, resulting in inaccurate valuations for hotel and residential properties

• The estimated value lift is within the margin of error for any appraisal and therefore speculative

• SEPA reviews are incomplete

• While many of the objectors are individuals, there are a number of hotels and even some commercial entities who have objected.  There was even an objection filed for a parcel owned by the State of Washington.

The hearings are intended to focus on the assessment value and process, but we are also keeping a close eye on the active lawsuits against the City of Seattle, which are more generally focused on the LID creation process itself.

If it stands, this LID would set a dangerous precedent — and this is our primary concern. Our past Seattle City Council representative has clearly stated her intent to wield this financing tool toward Magnolia Bridge replacement and other projects, by imposing a LID assessment on property owners without opportunity to vote; she had support for this from her fellow City Council members.