The Olympian has a story about a City Council unanimous decision to replace the exterior on the Washington Center for Performing Arts. According the story, the work is expected to cost $3.4 million.

$3.4 million. That's a lot. Too bad the exterior isn't holding up, but then, 26 years is a long time.

I'm not saying to drape plastic.

But maybe the repairs could be accomplished in less expensive ways.

Is there only one company that was contracted to perform an estimate/bid/consult on the project?

At arraignment in City of Olympia municipal court this morning, Scott Yoos (pronounced "Yoh s"—like "mos" in "most"), pleaded not guilty to two charges, one of trespassing and one of obstruction (of justice—I think of justice, but am not sure if that's the actual charge.) Next date is pre-trial 8am on the 1st of August.

Below is a photo of a rally to support Scott prior to the City Council meeting last night. Over thirty people spoke in support of Scott, and to call for changes. Public comment lasted about an hour and a half at the beginning of the meeting.

Many of you know Scott Yoos. Scott is an active community member who has been around for quite a few years. Last week, Scott had an encounter with some local police officers that left him bruised and battered. After being beat up, Scott was hauled to jail, and now is being charged with crimes. There's an arraignment scheduled for next Wednesday, the 8th, at 9am at the city courthouse. On Tuesday, people will gather to picket in front of City Hall at 6pm, then have an opportunity to comment during the City Council Meeting (which starts at 7pm.) If you know Scott, then you know how harmless he is. Please support this effort to hold the police accountable for their behavior.

Sign of the Times

Monday, 2 March, 2011 (view larger)

Members of the Olympia Planning Commission heard public comments about a proposal to create Quixote Village, which would offer more permanent shelter for people suffering with homelessness. In the above photo, Jill Severn starts out the public hearing, just before 7pm. The hearing lasted for about an hour and a half. On a table in front of the Commissioners is a small model of what the village might look like.

The majority of the comments were in favor of the Quixote Village proposal. There were two or three commenters who expressed concern. They were adjacent property owners of the proposed location, which is in the Mottman Indusrial Park, on land that the County (Thurston) has offered to donate. The opposition was based on the possibility that residents might be disturbed by industrial activity, which can take place late into the night. Opposition was also based on the possibility that industrial tenants might not like the village.

Still, most of the comments were in favor. Supportive commenters ranged from members of faith communities, to hosts and residents of the current incarnation of Camp Quixote. Some camp members talked about the importance of Camp Quixote to regaining stability in their lives, despite difficult circumstances, like health emergencies.

The Planning Commission will accept written comments until close of business this Friday, the 6th. Then the Commission will re-convene for deliberation on the proposal on Monday, May 16th.

There will be a public hearing on the newly re-re-zoned Isthmus parcels tomorrow evening, February 23. The hearing will be at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. Doors open for registration at 5 pm. Testimony begins at 6 pm. Registration to testify closes at 7 pm. All the pertinent details are on the City Website: Isthmus Rezone Public Hearing

A friend told me that the City of Olympia has cut funding for some social services programs. Is that true? Does anyone have details about this? I found some articles in The Olympian from Fall '08 that talk about cuts to the Human Services Review Council (and the programs it supports.) Anyway, I think this is a good time to ask about spending priorities, in light of a $40M investment in a new City Hall.

Does it make sense, either fiscally or socially, to cut jobs, and funding for social service (and possibly other) programs, while simultaneously investing so heavily in a capital infrastructure project like the new City Hall?

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On another topic, here's a panorama overlooking the West Downtown-Olympia Peninsula:

August 26, 2009
14 image composite

Can anyone envision anything major happening to the downtown area in terms of new buildings, improvements, etc?  I have lived her for 15 years and in that time the only thing that I've seen is further things falling apart or just flat leaving. Like any living organism, growth is needed for survival. The city council needs to have a serious plan about the downtown area. Building a city hall on prime real estate isn't going to cut it. Driving away developers with red tape and allowing anarchist to intimidate developers won't either. I'd like to see whole city blocks demolished and new multiusage buildings put in place. How about a nice movie theatre? How about a store like Macy's or Target or Kohl's? What about building a low hourly rate parking structure. And getting a zoning ordinance with some backbone to drive out all those ridiculious tattoo parlors, et al. out.

Any thoughts?

What does "progress" mean to you? (How do you define "progress"? Progress being a somewhat nebulous term: moving forward {whether it is socially, economically, politically, or etc.} can take on multiple different meanings.)

Do you have a vision of progress for Olympia? If so, what is it?

I ask these questions in the hope that people will want to, (and will feel comfortable to,) share their vision(s). In that spirit, I ask for people to refrain from engaging in criticism of each others' visions. The idea is for everyone to feel comfortable expressing their self without worry over being attacked.

Additionally, maybe we can inspire each other into thinking about creating, and forging, a common vision.

What does progress mean to you? Do you have a vision of progress for Olympia?

Hi, I am wondering about the process that the Planning Commission will use to make a recommendation(s?) to the city about the request to amend the urban waterfront zoning regulations on the "isthmus." Does the Planning Commission's recommendation have to be consensual amongst all the members of the committee? Or can it be divided with differing pro/con opinions? How does the commission make the recommendation; will there be formal papers filed? Maybe you know the answers to these questions; perhaps you can enlighten those of us who aren't in the know. There is a planning commission meeting tonight, but the topics are other than the isthmus rezone request. bert