The effort to build a home for the automobile collection of the late Harold LeMay has been long and at times controversial. The latest complication came about in December, when a dispute arose between city officials and museum representatives as to whether the museum could use city-owned property - the Tacoma Dome parking lots on which the facility is to be built - as collateral.

City Manager Eric Anderson rightfully raised objections. If the museum project were for some reason to falter, a bank or other creditor could theoretically acquire some of the most valuable land the city government owns, with no museum to show for it.

The latest round of negotiations has resulted in an agreement that both sides can live with. In the current language, museum officials must first pay back loans from the federal government. After that, they can use the land for collateral, but with enough stipulations that the city’s interests are protected.

Land cannot be used as collateral to finance any of the commercial activities proposed for the site, such as a movie theater or retail stores, or to pay for operating expenses, repairs and maintenance.

The many supporters of the museum have long claimed it will be Tacoma’s premier attraction when it finally opens, something that will attract visitors from around the world in much larger numbers than any of our existing museums. We still agree with this sentiment. Tacoma City Council should approve the latest revision to the agreement between the city and the museum when it comes before the body for a vote on Feb. 9.