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Olympia officials consider artists' housing

Tue, 10/28/2008 - 11:03am — flyfreeasabird

From The Olympian:

Work-living space project would provide affordable units

By Matt Batcheldor | The Olympian • Published October 28, 2008

OLYMPIA – City officials are considering trying to attract an affordable-housing project for artists to downtown.

Officials have spoken with Artspace, a nonprofit organization based in Minneapolis, that develops buildings with artists' workspaces and living quarters in the same complex.

The Olympia City Council will consider tonight whether to invite Artspace to tour the city. Council Member Jeff Kingsbury said he supports the idea.

A city delegation including Kingsbury and Councilwoman Rhenda Strub visited two housing developments the organization has built in Seattle. The organization also has projects in Everett and Portland.

The idea behind such a development is that rising rents can otherwise price out artists, particularly in places such as Seattle, which saw its downtown gentrify in the 1990s.

Comments

Wed, 10/29/2008 - 3:40pm — Laurian

Downtowner

Good points. Get involved with the process and be sure your voice is heard early in the debate. I'll read your comments to Jenifer Kinny and Steve Friddle at the neighborhood planning meeting I'm attending tonight.

Futher more I invite you to address your views to the DNA board. They can be reached at squad@olydna.com Check out the Downtown Neighborhood Association at www.olydna.com


Wed, 10/29/2008 - 3:01pm — OlyDowntowner

I think this measure is

I think this measure is classist. I don't think you should have to validate yourself as an artist to people like Jeff Kingsbury in order to qualify for affordable housing. I think what underlies this proposal is a desire to rid downtown Olympia of the "undesirable" poor while keeping the "colorful" poor, i.e., artists, around. That said, I do think affordable housing is a good thing, but I don't think you should have to be an artist to get it. Really, it places restrictions on art, when you project ahead. Like some other people mentioned, it would be interesting to see what criteria they plan to use. What kind of art is acceptable? Does that mean some artists will start shaping their art to meet the criteria so they can have a safe place to live? I don't think that's a good direction for anyone to have to take their work.
Wed, 10/29/2008 - 2:22pm — Laurian

We need housing for all modest and low income persons

This proposal is just one element in achieving that goal. Housing for artists is a good idea and should be supported. Oly downtowner I think your concerns about the affordability of housing downtown is very valid and as a board member of the Downtown Neighborhood Association I share them, but could you be introducing far too much class warfare into this  specific issue. Are you opposed to affordable housing for artists? I respect your doubts but honestly they are only speculative doubts.
Wed, 10/29/2008 - 1:17pm — OlyDowntowner

I guess it's okay to be poor

I guess it's okay to be poor as long as you're a poor artist? They're going to allow the poor to stick around downtown, AS LONG AS they're creating council-approved art. So the right kind of people, people with money, can enjoy the Bohemian flavor. But will artists who challenge the status quo be allowed? I has my doubts.
Tue, 10/28/2008 - 7:06pm — JMK

I'm Against It

We should figure out housing for our homeless in need before we house artists. And why just artists? Why not chefs? They create an art form in the foods they fix. Why not homemakers? They're homes are their art. Why not landscapers? Yards are their art. How about all musicians? Or dancers? Or actors?

Free - would you please define this statement: 

i guess i still have hope that the city council are human and they they might actually try to help in some way with all the damage they have done. 

Personally, there's no damage the city council has caused for me to think they're inhuman. I'm quite happy with the current council and their service to the community.

Tue, 10/28/2008 - 9:02pm — flyfreeasabird

they are still human

with some of their recent decisions like repealing the nuclear free zone ordinance, and this new developer for the isthmes i was starting to think that SOME of the council members were not listening to the people they are supposed to serve.

I do want to say that there are members of the council who so far do represent my voice, and seem to be doing a very good job. They are all most certainly still human, with hearts and families, i have just felt frustrated at some of their recent choices.

Another good point about all the different forms of art... I also agree about finding housing for the houseless.
I just put this article up to see others opinions and i really appreciate the feed back.

I do think that it would be nice to have some new development downtown, along with (lest we forget) renovating some parts to keep the historic value and keeping some just the way it is as the good old oly vibe.

We have to start somewhere and if something other than a parking lot could go in the area by the bus station (where there is artesian water) especially some mixed use non-profit artists place. If there is somebody with the money ready to do the project (which is not know at this time) and they use great architecture (LEED certified) and such, i think it would be a great project.

Thank you Olyblog!
Tue, 10/28/2008 - 12:44pm — chad360

divisionist mentality

One of the fist steps to making our community a nicer place would be to dump the us vs them mentality and stop being so confrontational and angry-

-thanks for the post

*peace*

 

chad360

Tue, 10/28/2008 - 12:49pm — rainy gray

Lead by example, Dude

But don't tell me not to think.
—
_________________________________ I don't wanna classify you like an animal in the zoo But it seems good to me to know that you're homosapien too -- Pete Shelley
Tue, 10/28/2008 - 11:38am — FRESH

I'm forgainst it

This kind of thing feels weird to me because of what I've seen my home city go through in regards to embracing art and then needing to cater to those who can afford to buy it thus pushing low income people to the burbs and busing them in to serve the lattes and clean up and whatnot. I'd like to hear more about this non-profit and the recommendations they'd make for our town.
Tue, 10/28/2008 - 11:14am — rainy gray

What is an artist?

Who gets to decide who qualifies as an artist worthy of affordable housing, qualified to live comfortably amid the gentry? Something tells me that graffiti artists won't be chosen.
—
_________________________________ I don't wanna classify you like an animal in the zoo But it seems good to me to know that you're homosapien too -- Pete Shelley
Tue, 10/28/2008 - 11:27am — flyfreeasabird

good point...

i was also curious as to what 'low income' meant in that context. less than $30k a year? i guess i still have hope that the city council are human and they they might actually try to help in some way with all the damage they have done.
Tue, 10/28/2008 - 11:09am — flyfreeasabird

finally something good, i hope.

I just thought i'd post this to encourage folks to show up to the meeting tonight and speak in favor if this.
It seems like a cool idea on the surface and i am hoping there is not a deeper level greed inside of it.

one of the sites they mention (the old DOT) used to have an artesian well springing forth and maybe if some kind of cool project like that were to happen there they could open that back up.

i am all for greening up downtown and making it more livable, and it would be great if the city council were too.

...Comments?