The City Council voted last week to put Key Tower on the block, because the city needs the money. Big surprise. Who could have foreseen it? Especially after the city gave away $73 million for a parking garage for Nordstroms, including a $23 million "incentive" over and above the cost to build the damn thing.

Last Thursday, Washington State Auditor Brian Sonntag gave his approval to the Nordy garage deal. Yet he also criticized the city council for the lack of public debate and disclosure while they worked out the details of the scam with developers. The council held only one poorly publicized public hearing after the deal was already completed. Sonntag says that's not illegal ... just not very smart. As if we needed his opinion...

Yet one more disgusting detail has surfaced over the management of this money pit. If the city buys the garage (which they surely will--why else sell Key Tower to free up extra cash?), the city will be required to subsidize 50% of all parking validation coupons issued by Nordstroms and other retailers in the Pacific Place Mall. In effect, the city will be giving Nordstroms and other retailers half-price parking in the new luxury garage. Already, critics claim the garage won't pay for itself. With this subsidy figured in, the operating loss to the city could be staggering.

On the other hand, folks could consider the new parking garage a public facility, and demand free access to it. Let's see, the garage holds 1200 vehicles, and at least 600 of those spaces will be subsidized by the city (rented for us). A few of us could pitch tents in our favorite parking spaces. Why not? I want my share.