Introduction:

Below are the questions and responses sent to Michael Hardy, candidate for Tacoma City Council District #7. This at-large district is current represented by councilmember David Boe who is running to be “retained” in the district.
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The questions being asked to Tacoma City Council candidates this year from the Tacoma Sun are very specific and address such issues as the best method to restore the Winthrop Hotel, removing harmful Parking Requirements in downtown Tacoma, rebuilding Tacoma Streetcars, and addressing the Felon Dumping Ground Issue.
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Tacoma Sun Candidate Questionnaire
Candidate:  Micheal Hardy
Position:  Tacoma City Council – At-Large No. 7
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Q I: What education and experience do you have to qualify you to be a member of the Tacoma City Council? What books have you read that you believe that would give you insights as to how to be an effective council member?
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Answer: Graduating from Pierce College with Honors was a great accomplishment for me, and my AA degree included many business related courses. My studies at The Evergreen State College included classes in Project Management and Environmental Science. Serving as Commander of one of the largest Veterans Service Organization in the state has helped to prepare me for this position, as has my commitment as President of the Board of a local Non-Profit. No particular book has stood out as a guide to being an advocate of Tacomans; but Wolf’s Non-profit Management books have helped sharpen my focus, as has a series on Project management.
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2) Growth management
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Q II: Over the last 30 years, Pierce County has been known for suburban sprawl which has caused the loss of farmland, pollution, traffic congestion and disinvestment in Tacoma. During the last 10 years, Tacoma has grown less than 5000 residents while Spokane grew by 13,000 and Pierce County grew by 95,000.  If you are elected, would you work to add more density to the City of Tacoma? How would your plan, if any, be different from what is in place now?

Answer: Tacoma’s strength and character comes from its open area’s and its space. I would work to get the empty buildings rented,  the vacant storefronts leased, the empty condo towers that promised so much, and delivered so little, occupied. My plans would center on the population that is already in place, and the business owners who are working  hard yet struggling. These are the people who realize the beauty and opportunities that Tacoma has to offer. What we need downtown is jobs that offer permanent employment, not walking paths and exit Pagodas.
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It has to be economic development that becomes the backbone of our elected leaders. To sit on our hands and watch Russel Investments move, and Nalley Valley shut down is maddening to Tacomans. These were firms who cared about Tacoma, who spent time here and enjoyed giving back and participating. Spending money to recruit business from outside Tacoma is not the same as having a business that wants to be here because they like it here.
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Small business owners need the support that Tacoma can offer. Instead of being targeted as “cash cows”  for the city coffers they should be treated as partners. Business helps create an identity to communities. The infrastructure needed for these companies is already in place and with city support these firms will be here for decades. It is not my plan to pack more buildings into what we have, and ruin what I consider a gem.

3) Pierce County Felon “Dumping Ground” Issues
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Q III: As you know, Tacoma and Pierce County have a disproportionate number of released felons placed by the Department of Corrections as described in the Tacoma City Club report: 30 Years of DOC in Pierce County, Was It worth It? http://cityclubtacoma.org/images/uploads/DOC_Report_final1.pdf.  Have you read this report? What specific steps would you take, if any, to reduce the number of felons being place in Tacoma and Pierce County?
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Answer: Yes, the report has some great points, but should have been more in depth.  I would have liked input to the selection process used to place these felons and deviants in areas of Tacoma questioned. The report cites “saving money” as a reason for setting up work release centers but said nothing about how much it actually cost us, as residents. If property values decrease because neighborhoods become more dangerous, this hasn’t saved any money.
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The “sprawl” issue discussed earlier should be added to this equation.  How many good families left Tacoma because of the felons, predators, and drug dealers that this policy placed among us?  How many businesses? The actual cost is much more to the residents than what this report or the News Tribunes series of stories leads us to believe.
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Finally, I would like to see exactly where in Tacoma these offenders were placed. How many in East Tacoma, how many in the South End? Was placement fair or were these criminals placed in the less affluent areas of Tacoma – areas less likely to complain.
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The Pierce County Sheriff’s web page relating to sex offenders and other criminals  misleads us. For example, in the District 1 area around Orchard and N 15th, there are three offenders within a one mile radius. But several blocks away in District 3, in the area of 12th and Union, there are 11 offenders residing inside a half mile radius. District 5 has nine “offenders” within a half mile radius of 66th and Warner, but one of these offender sites lists “multiple” residents, unnamed (in contrast to the other neighborhoods).
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Why report differently? If we report by the half mile in districts 3 and 5, we should measure by the half mile in district 1.  If we list the offenders by name in districts 1 and 3, we should do the same in district 5. And “multiple offenders” is just not specific enough. (Info from the Pierce County Sheriff web page.)

4) Restoration of Winthrop Hotel
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Question IV: A great many Tacomans would like to see the Winthrop Hotel restored as Spokane has restored the Davenport Hotel. What is your position on this issue? What plan would you support, if any, to restore the Winthrop Hotel back into a hotel?What ideas do you have to make this goal of Tacomans a reality?
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Answer: Yes, and I am one of the people who would love to see the Winthrop restored. But I don’t remember the Davenport being restored by Spokane; it was a private contractor whose business was restoring properties. Times have changed a bit since Walt Worthy did his rehab of the Davenport. Financing is undoubtedly harder to come by, but developers might be in a more generous mood with the business climate stalled. In order to receive my support the project would have to make financial sense, and use local talent to staff the construction jobs. And by local, I don’t mean workers coming down here from Seattle.
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This job should be done as a private construction project. The city of Tacoma should not be in the hotel business, but could provide incentives to attract a better project. Examples of this would be including some low income housing in the project, to give the developer guaranteed income while helping low income residents. A grant might help the project, and maybe tax incentives could be offered.
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5) Rebuilding Tacoma
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Q V: Despite the progress made, Tacoma still has a large number of vacant lots, and empty and blighted buildings relative to other west coast cities. In fact at least two new surface level parking lots have been created downtown in the last couple of years (the Sauro site and the site where the Luzon building was). What role can you and the City of Tacoma take, if you are elected, to support the rebuilding of downtown Tacoma and Tacoma’s mixed use centers?
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Answer: The government of the City of Tacoma already has a strong presence in downtown Tacoma, as does the Federal and State Governments. Private industries and business are needed to cap off the project that became a long and costly revitalization effort. We have to remember that rebuilding Tacoma means more than just spending money downtown. Tacoma is a vast area, with many neighborhoods that also have problems. If downtown is beautiful, but the area surrounding downtown is blighted, nobody is going to make the effort to travel downtown.
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And honestly I like the downtown area as it is. I like that I can drive downtown  without gridlock, and I like that I can find parking in a reasonable amount of time. To me, the wonder of Tacoma, especially downtown, is the open spaces and panoramic views. The merging of ocean and mountain with our rolling hills and landscape is beautiful.
Mixed use centers are excellent solutions to “empty and blighted” buildings mentioned in this question -  they can be acquired and refurbished at reasonable cost. And still leave us with green space. The properties mentioned are not just surface level parking lots, they are what is left of 1) a 20 foot hole in the middle of downtown and 2) a dilapidated building that was on the verge of collapse.
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And there were no options. We had a major employer that wanted to be here, and needed parking. There was no-one else who had a plan to develop this property, or showed interest. This was a win-win situation. The problem was the same with the other property -  there was no interest or plan to restore or rehab. Tacoma couldn’t leave a pile of brick and glass on the street. So, they  became a parking lots.
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The term “vacant lots” is a developers term, a negotiating expression to acquire property at a reduced cost. Your “vacant lot” is my “natural space”, or “open field.” Other cities DO have this type of property – Tacoma is not unique in having sections of undeveloped land.
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However, what we do with these properties is unique. We grow veggies there, and plant flowers, and walk our dogs. We take off our shoes and run our feet through the grass. Residents of Tacoma do not see an empty field and dream of development, and neither should Tacoma’s leaders. We should see the beauty in what we have, not in the changes we can make.

Building Walkable Neighborhood Centers and Downtown
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Q VI: Cities such as Portland, Seattle, Bellingham, San Francisco have removed their off-street parking requirements to allow parking to be built based on market demand. This also has the benefit of reducing sprawl, reducing the cost of housing, reducing pollution and allowing the construction of walkable neighborhoods. Do you support removing the off-street parking requirement in downtown Tacoma and in Tacoma’s mixed use centers?

Answer: No. The city is not responsible for providing long term parking. Building apartment buildings and office towers that neglected parking is selfish and irresponsible. There are costs to living downtown, and parking is one cost that should be the burden of the property owner or vehicle owner. Building neighborhood centers or Mixed Use Centers that do not have parking available is short-sighted and wasteful. Paid parking during business hours helps customers, and businesses.  Short term paid parking is beneficial to downtown. The benefits of better parking design accrue to the community, rather than to the building, or property owner.

To have the designs of Seattle or Portland a goal of Tacoma would be a huge mistake. These cities are awful for walking and parking is a challenge. Understanding what we have here is the first step to making Tacoma the envy of the nation. There is not a better waterfront in the world, and our downtown is very accessible and user friendly. We don’t have to shoehorn other buildings and cram more development into our tight spaces. There are better options.

Restoring Tacoma’s Streetcars

Q VII: Many Tacomans support restoring Tacoma’s streetcar system. Gas prices are now at record levels. Do you support restoring the streetcar network in Tacoma? What steps would be needed to be taken to make this happen?

Answer: No, I support bus routes over streetcars. Streetcars create more noise and traffic confusion. Streetcars are so much more expensive initially and have to be dedicated to a particular route. Overhead conductors are ugly, and require more poles to be placed.  The system as a whole makes me think of a jumbled birds nest. The infrastructure is already in place for buses, and when needs change, or streets are blocked by accidents or emergency vehicles, buses are easily rerouted.

Pollution Issues in Tacoma
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Q VIII: The City of Tacoma is currently failing the pollution criteria set by the State of Washington. If elected, what specific measures would you take, if any, to reduce pollution in the city limits of Tacoma?
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Answer:  Emissions from diesel and gasoline engines are the biggest contributors to fine particle pollution, but in Pierce County smoke from wood stoves are also a major problem.
The county’s air quality consistently drops in winter when more people heat their homes by burning wood. There are estimates that 75,000 homes are heated with wood burning stoves.
I have also heard a report about Tacoma’s air problem that suggested that the topographical features and terrain of Pierce County was a hindrance to free air flow.
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Our vehicles get tested at every other registration period, so I don’t believe it is OUR vehicles. Our current pollution problem is due in part to our greatest asset, the Port of Tacoma. Truck traffic is huge in this area as we have one main road that handles vast numbers of combination vehicles. Locomotive delivery systems have not shown much improvement. We won’t close the port. No ban on wood stoves, or other heating systems is supported by me at this time. And changing the terrain is impossible.

Crime Reduction Proposal by City Manager Eric Anderson

Q IX: A few years ago, City Manager Eric Anderson set a goal to reduce crime in Tacoma by 50 percent in 14 months. Unfortunately, the goal was not reached.  What can be done in your opinion to reduce crime in Tacoma?

Answer: City Manager Anderson’s goal is commendable and is working. These things take time, and the TPD has been very effective in identifying the major criminals in our area and putting them behind bars. Eric Anderson’s goal is supported by me, and I would be willing to give the city manager any tools or resources that he needs to get the job done.

Q X: Tacoma’s Central Neighborhood Council has posted dozens of articles on the electronic billboard issue located at : http://cnc-tacoma.com/proposed-electronic-billboards.  What percentage of these articles do you estimate that you have read?

Answer: I have read some of them. This does not seem to be an impossible hurdle, or a problem that can only be handled by legal action. As more and more cities and states ban these distracting signs it will become evident to Clear Channel that their signs are dangerous and put public safety at risk. A voter referendum on this matter would certainly help, as would public boycotts on any products advertised by Clear Channel.

Q XI What is your position in relation to the settlement proposal that the Tacoma City Council is considering regarding digital billboards?  Do you support it? If you were elected to the Tacoma City Council, would you authorize the City of Tacoma to expend financial resources to defend the Tacoma’s current 1997 billboard law?

Answer: Yes to a point. Negotiation seems to be an even better alternative, as brightness and contrast, as well as length of time of a particular ad appears are all negotiating points. So is donating billboard time to highlight city programs, and emergency situations such as Amber Alerts – which could be shown within minutes. Locating an unfair number of billboards in any section of town would not be acceptable to me.

Q XII: Many cities near the City of Tacoma such as Fife and University Place as well as unincorporated Pierce County do not have a B&O tax which many people allege has caused businesses to move out of the City of Tacoma.  Last year, the City of Tacoma raised the B&O threshold to $250,000.  Hence, businesses in Tacoma
grossing less than $250,000 pay no B&O tax.  If elected, would you support further raising the B&O tax threshold? If so, how far would you raise it?
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Answer: The B&O Tax is fair, where it sits. There are costs associated with living in an area as beautiful as Tacoma. The costs must be shared by all of us, residents and business alike. For new business, waiving the B&O tax for the first year seems reasonable, and for small business waiving the B&O tax for two years should help them establish a customer base.     Comparing Tacoma to Fife or University Place is just not fair, as we have so much more to offer. Consider that no business ever really pays a tax. Only the buyer of the product or service pays a tax. The business increases the cost of the product to compensate for the tax, and the increase in cost makes the product less competitive in the marketplace. Taxes always create a black market, or underground market, as both producers and purchases look for ways to get around them. As a result, the city will always lose money by the imposition of new taxes. Look at the cigarette tax as a great example. People did not stop smoking, they just stopped buying from businesses in the city, and went to the tribes. The city and state have not earned a penny more from the increased taxes as they did before the hike. The effect was penalizing the profits of the business owners.

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For more information, see Vote Michael Hardy on Facebook.

Introduction:

Below are the questions and responses sent to David Boe, candidate for Tacoma City Council District #7. This at-large district is current represented by councilmember Boe who is running to be “retained” in the district.
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The questions being asked to Tacoma City Council candidates this year from the Tacoma Sun are very specific and address such issues as the best method to restore the Winthrop Hotel, removing harmful Parking Requirements in downtown Tacoma, rebuilding Tacoma Streetcars, and addressing the Felon Dumping Ground Issue.

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Tacoma Sun Candidate Questionnaire
Candidate:  David Boe
Position:  Tacoma City Council – At-Large No. 7
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Q I: What education and experience do you have to qualify you to be a member of the Tacoma City Council? What books have you read that you believe that would give you insights as to how to be an effective councilmember?
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Answer:  I guess the short answer is that since I was appointed to the Tacoma City Council in January 2010, the current City Council believes that I have the education and experience qualifications for this position.  Having been a member of the Tacoma Planning Commission the previous 5-years to the appointment (the last three-years as Vice-Chair), they recognized their need to have a member with expertise on land use issues.   I also bring my experience from serving on the Tacoma Arts Commission where I was appointed to be a member of the 1992 Cultural Plan Steering Committee.  A unique qualification that I have for this city-wide position is that my wife and I have lived in both the South End and North End of Tacoma – and as an architect I have worked on projects across every district in the city (so Boe Knows Tacoma).
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My formal education started with completing an Associate of Arts Degree (Liberal Arts) at Normandale Community College, followed by a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture at Iowa State (Go Cyclones), and the equivalent of a Master of Architecture at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London.  During my five years in London, I spent two-years as the Project Coordinator for the Canary Wharf Light-Railway Station .  Since 1996 I have had my own architectural practice in Downtown Tacoma – and I think the perspective of being a successful small-business owner is an important voice in the make-up of the City Council.
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As for books that are appropriate to my brief tenure on the City Council, I think Cervantes’ ‘Don Quixote,’ Calvino’s ‘Invisible Cities, and ‘Surely You Must be Joking Mr. Feynman.
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What many folks may not comprehend about a City Manager-led form of government is that individual council members must be able to work well with their peers on the dais – as it takes at least 5 votes to get anything accomplished.  Trained as an architect, I am ingrained with a collaborative spirit and working with my fellow council members has been the most gratifying aspect of this challenging, but rewarding, service to the citizens of Tacoma.  Having been married to the same woman for the past 29 years, I do understand the value of a good compromise on occasion.
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Q II: Growth management
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Question: Over the last 30 years, Pierce County has been known for suburban sprawl which has caused the loss of farmland, pollution, traffic congestion and disinvestment in Tacoma. During the last 10 years, Tacoma has grown less than 5,000 residents while Spokane grew by 13,000 and Pierce County grew by 95,000.  If you are elected, would you work to add more density to the City of Tacoma? How would your plan, if any, be different from what is in place now?
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Answer:  Density, Density and more Density (thus the moniker ‘Density Dave’).  I was on the Planning Commission when the City Council passed the Mixed-use Center Zoning Ordinance in 2009 – but in my opinion these regulations did not go far enough to provide incentive for development – and cracking this issue open is one of the main reasons I have decided to run for a full term (that and an awareness that very few members of the past City Council(s) have had a deep understanding of urban design).  The first issue I brought to the table once on council, and with luck will be passed this year, is to go to a market base parking requirement for new construction in our urban centers and commercial zones.  Many of our zoning regulations are out-of-date and provide more barriers than incentives for new development.  I contend that the 6th Avenue Business District continues to flourish due to existing buildings being allowed to be renovated and/or converted without requiring city mandated additional off-street parking lots.
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Another issue is Land Banking (of which the City of Tacoma is just a guilty as the private market).  We need to get development on these ‘vacant’ parcels in order to positively change the market for new development.  Right now you cannot actually lease new construction for what it costs to construct the project.  Think about it.  The cost of a new building is pretty much the same whether you build it in Tacoma or in Kirkland (not including the land that is) – but in Kirkland you can get mid-$20s to $30 per square foot whereas the market in Tacoma is closer to $12-15 per square foot.
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So most of the development that happens in Tacoma is by individuals or companies that want to develop here (thinking with their heart more than their head in many cases) or they require significant government assistance (City, State or Federal) to make their projects pencil (e.g. UWT, museums et al, Elks).  There is no silver bullet to solve this ongoing conundrum, but we need as many development tools in the toolbox as possible AND look at every policy decision to see how it creates additional residential density in our urban centers.  For example, the route of the streetcar expansion, for me, should be the one that maximizes transit oriented development opportunities.
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Oh, and we should not be building anymore surface parking lots in our urban centers – another change that needs to be incorporated into the zoning code (i.e. new stand alone surface parking lots should not be allowed or permitted as a primary use in our urban centers).
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Q III: Pierce County Felon “Dumping Ground” Issues
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Question: As you know, Tacoma and Pierce County have a disproportionate number of released felons placed by the Department of Corrections as described in the Tacoma City Club report: 30 Years of DOC in Pierce County, Was It worth It? http://cityclubtacoma.org/images/uploads/DOC_Report_final1.pdf.
Have you read this report? What specific steps would you take, if any, to reduce the number of felons being place in Tacoma and Pierce County?
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Answer:  I had not read the Tacoma City Club Report until you referenced it here in this question, although I was a new member on the City of Tacoma Planning Commission in 2005 when the Special Needs Housing Moratorium was enacted due to the concerns about an overly high concentration of release facilities in the Hilltop.  In my opinion this report accurately portrays the situation.  Like other job growth policies that have been introduced into Tacoma over the years, it was sold as an ‘economic generator’ without looking at the possible unintended consequences of such a success (e.g. Immigration Detention Center in the Port of Tacoma).  So local leaders courted the Department of Corrections in the past, agencies and organizations were successfully set-up to meet the need, and very low cost of housing makes it economically more viable than other urban centers in the state (see Item No. 2 above).  I pledge to continue working at the local and state level for Tacoma and Pierce County to reduce the total number of work release offenders to our ‘fair share’ distribution with the rest of the state.
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Q IV: Restoration of Winthrop Hotel
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Question: A great many Tacomans would like to see the Winthrop Hotel restored as Spokane has restored the Davenport Hotel. What is your position on this issue? What plan would you support, if any, to restore the Winthrop Hotel back into a hotel? What ideas do you have to make this goal of Tacomans a reality?
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Answer:  I think the best way forward is to consider putting together a multi-faceted group of developers with a wide array of funding sources – and look at dividing the building interior into a number of distinct zones.  For instance, storefront retail could be managed by a commercial retail developer, the Crystal Ballroom possibly managed by the Broadway Center (which would give it another unique venue for performances), the lower floors of the tower for student housing related to UWT, and the top floors of the tower managed by an experienced hotelier.
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All of this will require close coordination with an entity like the Tacoma Housing Authority to work through the HUD voucher program that the current residents are using for their accommodation – and possibly look to additional housing being added, or converted, in the area to meet the existing population need.  I also think we need to look at incorporating a Historic Tacoma Public Development Authority in order to address the cause of historic buildings that are facing critical challenges like the Winthrop (e.g. Old City Hall and the now lost Luzon Building).
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Q V: Rebuilding Tacoma
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Question: Despite the progress made, Tacoma still has a large number of vacant lots, and empty and blighted buildings relative to other west coast cities. In fact at least two new surface level parking lots have been created downtown in the last couple of years (the Sauro site and the site where the Luzon building was). What role can you and the City of Tacoma take, if you are elected, to support the rebuilding of downtown Tacoma and Tacoma’s mixed use centers?
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Answer:  I voted a loud ‘NO’ on Sauro.  But as noted earlier, it takes 5, not three, to win the day.  In addition to what I presented in response to Question 2, we need to look at multiple development incentive options given the size of the task – and one of these is really about educating our County, State and Federal partners about the reality of funding huge road projects that in reality just make it cheaper to build sprawl out in the rural areas.  Yes we have GMA, but if we are investing billions in new roads to make it cheaper to build in Graham, why would someone invest in Tacoma?  We really need to shift the paradigm.
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I don’t want to get all James Howard Kunstler on you, but until we hit $8 a gallon, we’ll need to look at every opportunity to provide incentives for development in our urban centers.  Providing transit options will be a huge selling point in my opinion.  Tacoma is blessed with a wide variety of neighborhoods and growing Business Districts that are literally 10 minute by car, 20 minute by bicycle from Downtown.  McKinley Hill/East Side, South Tacoma, Central Tacoma, Hilltop, Stadium, 6th Avenue, and North End – many with amazing affordable historic housing stock.  This is a huge asset when planning for a connected city with transit, bicycle avenues, and good roads, curbs, gutters and sidewalks.  The Broadway LID has been a great boost to development and I will work to get similar projects to grow out from the neighborhood mixed-use centers to connect the entire City.  I am very proud to have worked on the Mobility Master Plan and making quality streets for pedestrians, bicycles, and transit is far, far overdue for Tacoma.
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Q VI: Building Walkable Neighborhood Centers and Downtown
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Cities such as Portland, Seattle, Bellingham, San Francisco have removed their off-street parking requirements to allow parking to be built based on market demand. This also has the benefit of reducing sprawl, reducing the cost of housing, reducing pollution and allowing the construction of walkable neighborhoods. Do you support removing the off-street parking requirement in downtown Tacoma and in Tacoma’s mixed use centers?
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Answer:  I guess I should have read all of the questions before writing my earlier comments.  So do I support removing the off-street parking in requirement in Downtown Tacoma and in Tacoma’s Mixed-use Centers?  That is an absolute YES!  And with support from constituents this coming year, we can take another step to update the City of Tacoma Zoning Ordinance that still has regulations mired in 1980’s thinking.
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Q VII: Restoring Tacoma’s Streetcars
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Question: Many Tacomans support restoring Tacoma’s streetcar system. Gas prices are now at record levels. Do you support restoring the streetcar network in Tacoma? What steps would be needed to be taken to make this happen?
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Answer:  Yes.  As noted previously, for me the routes need to reference the historic streetcar routes – as anyone who bicycles in Tacoma can tell you, you need to always think like a streetcar when planning your route to minimize the uphill climbs.  But we also need to make sure that the route makes damn good urban design sense AND maximizes neighborhood property for transit-oriented development potential AND we need to get real about ridership.
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I personally think the route selected for the initial LINK was an urban design disaster once it leaves Pacific Avenue (and for those of you that like to pick on Tollefson Plaza – it’s the train that creates the majority of the problem – it doesn’t stop, it dissects the space so that is has no ability to have the much needed active frame to an open public space) – and thus it is going to take creative and critical thinking to vision routes that are appropriate for Tacoma now and the future (the current route up Commerce was based on politics and not good urban design).
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You want to make Downtown and our Mixed-use Centers attractive for development?  Well then we better figure out how we can have a quality of life without relying on the single-occupancy vehicle.  And we are also going to have to get creative about financing and operations given the recent Pierce Transit funding situation.  I am not saying it is as easy as running the Streetcar to the Mall and/or to the Casino – but it might include long-range planning of a route to the Mall and/or to the Casino.
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Q VIII: Pollution Issues in Tacoma
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Question: The City of Tacoma is currently failing the pollution criteria set by the State of Washington. If elected, what specific measures would you take, if any, to reduce pollution in the city limits of Tacoma?
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Answer:  The South Tacoma Air Quality Non-Attainment is a significant environmental health issue that is going to require close collaboration between all of the Federal, State, County and City partners to create an equitable solution (and it is an issue that in many ways is fueled by the need for a population to have inexpensive ways to heat their homes).  There is no easy way to address this issue – but I believe that my creative and collaborative skills can be an asset in developing a successful resolution.  It also is going to take some hard looks at how we think about wood fireplaces and wood stoves.
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While Air Quality is huge –we also need to look at storm water capacities and sanitary infiltration.  I will continue to work with my council colleagues to foster and coordinate regulations that hit many of the environmental concerns on multiple levels.  For instance, the Urban Forestry project can help to increase the natural storm water capacity provided by an increase tree canopy (and reduce heat gain from the built environment) while infrastructure projects incorporate Complete Streets and Low-Impact Development Standards to address storm water issues at their source.  Tacoma has made great strides in addressing many of the industrial polluters – and in many ways we do not celebrate the advancement that we have made – but we still need to be vigilant especially regarding protecting ground water quality.
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Q IX: Crime Reduction Proposal by City Manager Eric Anderson
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Question: A few years ago, City Manager Eric Anderson set a goal to reduce crime in Tacoma by 50 percent in 14 months. Unfortunately, the goal was not reached.  What can be done in your opinion to reduce crime in Tacoma?
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Answer:  We need to build on the great work already completed by the Community Policing Programs through the Police Sub-stations, great community programs like Safe Streets, and creating incentives/market for more quality affordable housing in our urban centers.  Tacoma needs to become a city of homeowners and not house renters.  Basically do you want live next door to a rental or another home owner?  Home ownership breeds strong community spirit – that and good curbs, gutters, sidewalks and street trees.
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Q  X: Tacoma’s Central Neighborhood Council has posted dozens of articles on the electronic billboard issue located at:
http://cnc-tacoma.com/proposed-electronic-billboards.  What percentage of these articles do you estimate that you have read?
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Answer:  I imagine I have read most if not all of them – and they have been very informative.  Well done to the CNC for leading the charge in response to this issue.
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Q XI: What is your position in relation to the settlement proposal that the Tacoma City Council is considering regarding digital billboards?  Do you support it? If you were elected to the Tacoma City Council, would you authorize the City of Tacoma to expend financial resources to defend the Tacoma’s current 1997 billboard law?
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Answer:  Well I did vote to proceed with the settlement precisely because it was going to require the Planning Commission to review the signage code and look into all the details of digital billboards.  Having served on the Planning Commission, and knowing the great individuals currently serving on the commission, I had complete trust in their abilities to delve into the details of the issue (something sadly we on Council are not afforded the luxury of time to allow us to typically get into the weeds).  I have been most impressed by the time and effort by the community in getting to the public hearings and submitting public comment and I have tried to make each of the Planning Commission public hearings to hear the testimony personally.
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I have stated repeatedly that first we need to get our signage code right before we proceed to look at options for settlement or potential litigation action.  Our sign code needs to include design guidelines on the signage structure themselves in order to graphically illustrate non-conforming signs.  We also need to incorporate unequivocally clear language about the removal of non-conforming signs and have delineated a clear process for the removal of blighted signs (such as we have Code Enforcement for derelict buildings).  And for me, all non-conforming signs must come down before any new code compliant billboards are erected.
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As for digital itself, I am not a fan of internally illuminated signs at all because they produce glare (i.e. you are seeing the light coming at you instead of reflected light off the surface of the sign).  If only indirect lighting is incorporated as a standard, I do not see how internally lit digital signs could be in compliance.
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Q XII: Many cities near the City of Tacoma such as Fife and University Place as well as unincorporated Pierce County do not have a B&O tax which many people allege has caused businesses to move out of the City of Tacoma.  Last year, the City of Tacoma raised the B&O threshold to $250,000.  Hence, businesses in Tacoma grossing less than $250,000 pay no B&O tax.  If elected, would you support further raising the B&O tax threshold? If so, how far would you raise it?
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Answer:  I am very proud to say that I voted a strong ‘Aye’ to the raising of the B+O threshold in my short tenure on the Council.  And yes, we need to look at ways to step-by-step remove this anti-business tax.  Having paid this tax as a small business owner, it amazes me that it is calculated on gross income.  Gross income!  I understand that this makes it simple to calculate the tax, but it totally penalizes businesses that are successful but net only a small amount of profit.  The reality is that B+O makes-up a significant amount of the City’s General Fund, so we are going to have to look at other ways to fund projects or at least look at a way of collecting a more equitable tax – and/or look at ways of funding projects and particular services outside of the General Fund.
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Conclusion
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It has been a privilege to serve on the City Council.
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As a small business owner I have created jobs, maintained budgets and managed people.  As your elected City Council member I will continue to focus on job growth, controlling the line on expenses and holding the City accountable by asking tough questions.
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I believe Tacoma is a beautiful city, but we have more work to do to improve the livability of our neighborhoods.  Through smart and responsible planning we can repair our streets and sidewalks, increase our transportation options and improve safety through-out Tacoma.
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With your support I will continue to bring this vision forward.  I greatly appreciate your vote.

For those interested in learning more about my campaign check out http://www.voteboe.com and ‘friend’ my campaign on Face Book at ‘Vote Boe.’

To see some of my urban design thoughts for Downtown Tacoma, checkout my award winning ‘Imagine Tacoma’ blog on Exit133:  http://www.exit133.com/features/?c=Imagine_Tacoma
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And for a little about this transition between full-time architect to full-time architect/part-time politician, check out this article from CityArts in March 2010:  http://www.cityartsonline.com/issues/tacoma/2010/03/drawing-inspiration-0 and
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http://www.cityartsonline.com/issues/tacoma/2010/03/behind-scenes-march-tacoma-cover-shoot-david-boe
and
http://www.cityartsonline.com/issues/tacoma/2010/03/more-david-boe-interview

and Voter Pamphlet Information (page 28):  http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/xml/abtus/ourorg/aud/elections/archives/pri11/2011primaryweb.pdf

Introduction:
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Below are the questions and responses sent to Realtor Joe Atkinson, candidate for Tacoma City Council District #1. This district is current represented by  councilmember Spiro Manthou who is retiring from the council.  Thus, this is an open position.

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Atkinson is running against Karen Smitherman and Anders Ibsen.

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The questions being asked to Tacoma City Council candidates this year from the Tacoma Sun are very specific and address such issues as the Winthrop Hotel, Parking Requirements, Tacoma Streetcars, and Felon Dumping Ground Issues.

Introduction:
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Below are the questions and responses sent to Karen Smitherman, candidate for Tacoma City Council District #1. This district is current represented by  councilmember Spiro Manthou who is retiring from the council.  Thus, this is an open position.
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The questions being asked to Tacoma City Council candidates this year from the Tacoma Sun are very specific and address such issues as the Winthrop Hotel, Parking Requirements, Tacoma Streetcars, and Felon Dumping Ground Issue
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Q I: What education and experience do you have to qualify to be a member of the Tacoma City Council? What books have you read that you believe that would give you insights as to how to be an effective councilmember?

Answer: Tacoma’s West End has been my home for more than 37 years. My husband, Bill and I raised our two daughters here where they attended Pt. Defiance Elementary School, Truman Middle School and Wilson High School. I’ve always been very active in serving our community whether it’s been as a member of our local PTA, the Pt. Defiance Zoo Society, the Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma Urban Network, or the Pierce County Juvenile Justice Coalition. I will focus on creating local jobs, improving public safety, promoting transparency in government, providing better transportation mobility, and protecting our environment.
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As a teacher and administrator for Tacoma Public Schools for 35 years, I’ve brought together business, labor, postsecondary institutions, organizations and agencies to solve problems and find solutions facing our children, youth and families throughout Tacoma. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Washington in Sociology and Education and my Master’s degree from Pacific Lutheran University in Educational Administration and Principal Credentials. Where we are as a community requires a community conversation and collaborative approach to find solutions. How we define a problem will determine how we respond to it.
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We need to have a conversation to define the benchmarks for success, accountability, and transparency. Through this crucial conversation we can lay the foundation to restore faith in government. We change the dynamics of the conversation by listening and defining together what we will fund, rather than what we will cut. It is only through this framework of benchmarks that citizens have a right to know and accountability with clear, well-defined objectives and timelines that we can hold each other accountable and avoid the blame game that can end up costing taxpayers millions of dollars. Please visit my webpage at http://www.karensmitherman.com to find out more about my vision for Tacoma.
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The last three months, as part of the Community Awareness for Student Achievement Project, I’ve enjoyed facilitating a community book study focusing on the impact of poverty and race on student learning. A group of concerned citizens came together to read and have a conversation about how we can close the achievement gap. “Whatever It takes” by Paul Tough describes how Geoffrey Canada worked to establish the “Harlem Children’s Zone.” Our discussions on solutions to close the achievement gap begin the crucial conversation of how to ensure that all students succeed.
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Growth Management
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Q2: Over the last 30 years, Pierce County has been known for suburban sprawl which has caused the loss of farmland, pollution, traffic congestion and disinvestment in Tacoma. During the last 10 years, Tacoma has grown less than 5000 residents while Spokane grew by 13,000 and Pierce County grew by 95,000. If you are elected, would you work to add more density to the City of Tacoma? How would your plan, if any, be different from what is in place now?
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Answer: It was 20 years and 1.9 million people ago (in total population) that Washington enacted the Growth Management Act. The idea in 1990 was to divert people into places that could accommodate their number while preserving open space, critical habitats, shorelines and farmlands. The Growth Management Act was supported t put the brakes suburban sprawl and channel growth into existing cities. However, all we have to do is drive around Pierce County and question if the GMA really is producing the results it was intended to make. South Hill, Yelm Fredrickson and DuPont are all situated on the fringe of urban growth areas and have seen far greater growth than expected. The Puget Sound Regional Council adopted VISION 2040 in April 2008. According to their documents, VISION 2040 establishes a common vision for the future.
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It consists of: an environmental framework; a regional growth strategy; policies to guide growth and development; actions to implement; and measure to track programs. I believe that all levels of government in the central Puget Sound’s four counties (King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish) will use VISION 2040 as a regional framework for making local decision.  Within the metropolitan and core cities like Tacoma, VISION 2040 supports concentrating population and employment growth in regionally designated growth centers. These centers serve as hubs for regional transportation, public services and amenities.

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With the shape of how the South Sound developed in the last 10 years, you have to question whether the GMA really is producing the intended results. As a city we must have a vision and the leadership to move Tacoma forward and the definitely means that we must have an action plan that will increase density in Tacoma. The Executive Council of Tacoma, along with City and Community leaders must come together and develop a strong vision that addresses the reality of where we want to go in these very difficult economic times.
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3) Pierce County Felon “Dumping Ground” Issues
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Q III: As you know, Tacoma and Pierce County have a disproportionate number of released felons placed by the Department of Corrections as described in the Tacoma City Club report: 30 Years of DOC in Pierce County, Was It worth It? http://cityclubtacoma.org/images/uploads/DOC_Report_final1.pdf. Have you read this report? What specific steps would you take, if any, to reduce the number of felons being place in Tacoma and Pierce County?
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Answer: According to the City Club report released in February 2007, ”work release was originally conceived as a program of rehabilitation for offenders and a cost-effective alternative to incarceration, which provided important pre-release benefits to convicted felons.
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Over time, Pierce County’s level of participation in the program exceeded that of most other counties within the state, leading to higher rates of post-incarceration placement within the county. In addition, offenders from other counties serving time in Pierce County correctional institutions remained in Pierce County for community custody supervision by DOC. High numbers of post-incarceration offenders residing in the county result in higher crime and other negative costs.” Our own State Legislators Jeannie Darneille, Steve Conway and Steve Kirby introduced House Bill 1733 which obtains equitable distribution of work release centers and released felons around the state. This “fair-sharing” burden must be continually re-evaluated so that Tacoma and Pierce County only receives its fair share and has the commitment that DOC has the ability to supervise those who are released into our county. The Joyce family lost Paula when a convicted felon on “pre-release” and supposedly “under supervision” smashed his car into hers. This cannot happen to another family. The system must be “designed to achieve the results it achieves.”
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Restoration of Winthrop Hotel
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Q IV: A great many Tacomans would like to see the Winthrop Hotel restored as Spokane has restored the Davenport Hotel. What is your position on this issue? What plan would you support, if any, to restore the Winthrop Hotel back into a hotel? What ideas do you have to make this goal of Tacomans a reality?
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Answer: The historic Winthrop Hotel is an architectural anchor of the north end of downtown Tacoma and its redevelopment has been identified as a priority by all three Tacoma Partnership teams lead by Tom Luce and Bruce Kendall(report to the City of Tacoma Economic Development Committee, August 31, 2010)  They stated in their report that the hotel currently houses 170 units of subsidized affordable housing, requires significant rehabilitative investment to reverse decades of neglect and is perceived by some community stakeholders to be the source of crime and other undesirable activity in this area of downtown.
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Redevelopment of the Winthrop Hotel and the adjacent streetscape will breathe new life into the Theater District, creating a new destination for visitors and incite further reinvestment in the north end of downtown. Relocation of the tenants will give them an opportunity to live in buildings that were designed for long-term residents; an improvement over their current situation.
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Redevelopment of the Winthrop Hotel requires three steps. (1) Address the affordable housing needs of the current residents, relocating them into more modern and appropriate housing. (2) Identify developers and a plan for redevelopment. (3) Identify financing for the redevelopment.
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Discussions with key constituencies and the City of Tacoma must continue so that a specific plan of action can be moved forward.
.Rebuilding Tacoma
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Q V: Despite the progress made, Tacoma still has a large number of vacant lots, and empty and blighted buildings relative to other west coast cities. In fact at least two new surface level parking lots have been created downtown in the last couple of years (the Sauro site and the site where the Luzon building was). What role can you and the City of Tacoma take, if you are elected, to support the rebuilding of downtown Tacoma and Tacoma’s mixed use centers?

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Answer: Each year the Economic Development Board meets with more than 100 existing primary firms in Tacoma to address their workforce, financing, site, and regulatory needs. They also recruit new firms into Tacoma and VersaCold is a recent example. Primary firms make a product or service and export it out of the market, thereby bringing new dollars in and creating new jobs for our economy. As a member of the Tacoma City Council, I will be working with the EDB, Tacoma’s Executive Council and local Business Districts to implement high level corporate visits (recruitment trips); more deeply leverage broker relationships, as well as, partner with building owners and developers to market the area. The work of the EDB can be enhanced with the participation of the Tacoma City Council members and other public leaders. The work of the Tacoma Partnership Team, the Economic Development board and the City of Tacoma should continue this collaboration in identifying top economic development project priorities for downtown.
.Building Walkable Neighborhood Centers and Downtown
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Q VI: Cities such as Portland, Seattle, Bellingham, and San Francisco have removed their off-street parking requirements to allow parking to be built based on market demand. This also has the benefit of reducing sprawl, reducing the cost of housing, reducing pollution and allowing the construction of walkable neighborhoods. Do you support removing the off-street parking requirement in downtown Tacoma and in Tacoma’s mixed use centers?
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Answer: Yes. By reducing the off-street parking requirements, the City of Tacoma would promote higher density in our downtown core and pedestrian friendly mixed-use centers. It would also encourage alternate transportation such as streetcars, busses, light rail and bicycles. Continued collaboration between the City of Tacoma, Pierce Transit and Sound Transit will make the reduction of off-street parking sustainable and will encourage more density in our downtown core while developing “walkable” neighborhoods. Removing the off-street parking requirement will help Tacoma move away from strip-mall development and become the livable community that we all want.
.Restoring Tacoma’s Streetcars
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Q VII: Many Tacomans support restoring Tacoma’s streetcar system. Gas prices are now at record levels? Do you support restoring the streetcar network in Tacoma? What steps would be needed to be taken to make this happen?

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Answer: I strongly support the development of a streetcar system. The first step is to develop a plan where the streetcars will run; then highlight the most cost effective routes to neighborhood business district, parks and the downtown core. Secondly, there needs to be enough public support and input. This can be done through our Neighborhood Councils, Rotary meetings and other community connections.
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Pollution Issues in Tacoma
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Q VIII: The City of Tacoma is currently failing the pollution criteria set by the State of Washington. If elected, what specific measures would you take, if any, to reduce pollution in the city limits of Tacoma?

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Answer: The Office of Sustainability, in partnership with the Sustainable Tacoma Commission, has been monitoring greenhouse gas reductions and sustainability efforts made by the City of Tacoma and the community. We all must become stewards of our environment. As a teacher in Tacoma, I’ve taken my 5th graders to the Tacoma Nature Center where they learned about wetlands and community conservations efforts. Our science teacher, Mr. Menke, has been working with our students to teach them about recycling, composting and establishing their own urban garden at Stanley Elementary School. As a steward of my community, I am working to change my own carbon footprint by reducing, reusing and recycling.
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I strongly support Tacoma’s Climate Action Plan. “Tacoma’s Climate Action Plan clearly lays out what we can do together to ensure a healthier more livable environment for our children and grandchildren. The City must invest in and build upon its current infrastructure. As the region grows in the coming decades, expanding populations should be absorbed in areas where infrastructure already exists, rather than duplicating municipal services. This is not only a wiser use of tax dollars, but also brings the critical mass together to afford the amenities communities desire to be more livable, such as transportation options, better streets and sidewalks for all types of mobility, shopping and entertainment options.
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Land use planning must drive investment in the downtown core and existing multiple-use centers. Livable, walkable, compact cities are vital to curbing climate change because it fundamentally reduces driving distances for our most common activities, such as going to work, shopping and entertaining our families.”(Green Ribbon Task Force Co-chairs Ryan Mello and Joanne Buselmeier). Please visit the City of Tacoma’s website to learn more about what we can do together to provide a healthier, more sustainable Tacoma for everyone. www.cityoftacoma.org
.Crime Reduction Proposal by City Manager Eric Anderson
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Q IX: A few years ago, City Manager Eric Anderson set a goal to reduce crime in Tacoma by 50 percent in 14 months. Unfortunately, the goal was not reached. What can be done in your opinion to reduce crime in Tacoma?
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Answer: The original challenge set by the City Manager was to reduce blight and crime and make our community safe and clean. The Safe and Clean Initiative began in 2008, it brought together city employees and neighborhood citizens to mobilize around projects that they identified were their top priorities. They identified drug and gang houses and boarded up houses for code violations. The city amended codes to make it easier to force landlords and businesses to clean up their properties. Some of the surplus properties were identified and turned into community gardens. Neighbors are educated on how to improve their home landscape to ensure safety. The Tacoma Police Department worked on targeting car prowls, vehicle theft and junk autos. Together, neighbors working with neighbors. Safe and Clean target crimes dropped 20 percent from 2007 to 2010. Neighborhood cleanups have packed off more than 1,000 tons of debris. Allyson Griffith of Community Based Services is impressed with inspector’s new ability to send postcard warnings from their cars with about 70 percent of recipients fixing problems before they hit the expensive formal system. (Kathleen Merryman,TNT).
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The Safe and Clean Initiative encourages neighbors to talk with one another, report crime and blight, join a community group such as your local Neighborhood Council, make your own home safe and clean. You can learn more about City services from their website at www.cityoftacoma.org.  In order to prevent crime and keep our community safe, all key municipal entities must play a role in cutting crime and violence. Schools, businesses, city government and social services must all work together. Leadership; working together; identifying problems and then attacking them; measuring results; doing business differently; being tough on crime and equally tough on the causes of crime produce positive results.
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Tacoma’s Billboard Ordinances.
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Q X: Tacoma’s Central Neighborhood Council has posted dozens of articles on the electronic billboard issue located at: http://cnc-tacoma.com/proposed-electronic-billboards. What percentage of these articles do you estimate that you have read?

Answer: After listening to members of the North end Neighborhood Council discuss the issue of electronic billboards; I decided to attend the community meeting March 12th at the Evergreen State College Tacoma campus. I then spent time reading various articles posted by the Central Neighborhood Council and read through oral and written statements made by citizens at the Planning Commission meeting March 16th.  I also listened to remarks of City Counsel Shelley Kerslake and the Planning Commission’s meeting on April 6th.
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Q XI: What is your position in relation to the settlement proposal that the Tacoma City Council is considering regarding electronic billboards? Do you support it? If you were elected to the Tacoma City Council, would you authorize the City of Tacoma to expend financial resources to defend the Tacoma’s current 1997 billboard law?

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Answer: Although there are a few people who support electronic billboards and a few non-profits who have received funding from Clear Channel to post advertisements on their billboards who appreciate Clear Channel’s civic involvement, 95% of those citizens who testified are strongly opposed to the Proposed Settlement Agreement (PSA) with Clear Channel. Currently, the Planning Commission is review those comments and will be making recommendations to the Tacoma City Council. Clear Channel plans to build ten jumbo digital billboards, I believe, the code is in direct conflict with the existing Comprehensive Plan land use policies for mixed-use districts.
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The City of Tacoma agreed to accept as many as 38 digital electronic billboards in exchange for Clear Channel removing 253 existing traditional and mostly smaller billboards scattered around the city. The message is clear. No digital billboards. I clearly understand the financial implications fighting a major corporation like Clear Channel. Clear Channel is the big guy and the city is the little guy. The fight could cost the city millions of dollars. The City Council needs to stand up and defend Tacoma’s current 1997 billboard laws.
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Tacoma’s B&O Tax
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Q XII: Many cities near the City of Tacoma such as Fife and University Place as well as unincorporated Pierce County do not have a B&O tax which many people allege has caused businesses to move out of the City of Tacoma. Last year, the City of Tacoma raised the B&O threshold to $250,000. Hence, businesses in Tacoma grossing less than $250,000 pay no B&O tax. If elected, would you support further raising the B&O tax threshold as a number of current councilmember’s have suggested? If so, how far would you raise it?
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Answer: The move to raise the annual taxable gross income threshold for small-business owners from $75,000 to $250,000 will benefit approximately 4,900 business owners who fall below that threshold. However, the loss of revenue is projected to be $2.8 million during the 2011-2012 biennium. It now becomes a matter of what do we want to fund. The City collected approximately $40 million in 2009. The revenue reduction makes Tacoma’s B&O tax threshold more appealing than thresholds in Seattle ($80,000), Olympia ($20,000) and Bellevue ($125,000).
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The B&O tax is used to pay for a variety of services such as street repairs, libraries, and emergency services such as police departments and fire departments. To eliminate completely would mean a loss of $80 million into the biennium, general fund. This means less services, less police and fire protection. Raising the B&O threshold makes good business sense in these difficult economic times. It’s a bold step and demonstrates that Tacoma is a great place to do business and a great place to start a business.  I would support a raise in the B&O threshold only if we make the change revenue neutral by streamlining services and identifying other potential revenue sources.
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Introduction:

Below are the questions and responses sent to Anders Ibsen, candidate for Tacoma City Council District #1. This district is current represented by  councilmember Spiro Manthou who is retiring from the council.  Thus, this is an open position.
The questions being asked to Tacoma City Council candidates this year from the Tacoma Sun are very specific and address such issues as the Winthrop Hotel, Parking Requirements, Tacoma Streetcars, and Felon Dumping Ground Issue

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Q I: What education and experience do you have to qualify to be a member of the Tacoma City Council? What books have you read that you believe that would give you insights as to how to be an effective council member?

Special thanks to journalist Heather Robinson for her help on the article.

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Here is the article:

Cities that undergo positive transformation invariably have great mayors who lead their cities to a brighter future. During the next election, Mayor Marilyn Strickland will be evaluated based on the results she obtains during her four-year term. In order to be effective, she must be willing to advance Tacoma’s priorities without being excessively influenced by entrenched interest groups – even those who supported her.

Cities succeed or fail to the extent they have leadership able and willing to implement the best practices for economic development, crime reduction and in other important areas regardless of the political ideology a particular idea may be associated with.

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Former IBM executive Cory Booker is mayor of Newark, N.J., a city that had one of the highest crime rates in the country. In his successful multi-pronged approach in reducing crime by 42 percent, Booker even took the extreme step of moving into one of the most crime-plagued apartment buildings, demonstrating his dedication. Booker helped recruit businesses to Newark, creating 4,000 jobs from 2006 to 2008.

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Similarly, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is widely known for his success in reducing crime and revitalizing New York City by implementing the “broken windows” theory. By focusing on reducing smaller crimes such as aggressive panhandling, graffiti, public drinking and what had been considered “petty crime” and largely ignored, Giuliani was able to reduce the overall crime rate by 50 percent over an eight-year period and made the subways safe again.

We also have examples of strong mayoral leadership close to Tacoma. Recently, the state threatened to build an expanded viaduct on Seattle’s waterfront, which would have blighted prime waterfront property for years. In response, former Seattle Mayor Nickels held a press conference exclaiming he would “spend every possible moment” to oppose a new viaduct. Ultimately he succeeded in stopping the state’s harmful plan.

Though a handful of beneficial projects occurred under earlier mayors, their extremely limited view of the mayor’s role in city government hobbled their ability to develop and revitalize Tacoma. Because many of Tacoma’s recent mayors mistakenly believed that the city had a “weak” mayoral system, the belief became a self-imposed limitation and self-fulfilling prophecy. This limited approach to mayoral leadership left Tacoma inept in its ability to effectively compete with other cities, stand up to state government when necessary, or to reach its potential.

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Although Tacoma’s mayor has no direct executive authority under Tacoma’s charter, Strickland arguably has far greater effect on legislative issues than mayors in other cities. Tacoma’s mayor, for instance, has the unique ability to directly debate and vote on resolutions and to chair each and every council meeting – not unlike the influential speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Finally, Tacoma’s mayor has an unparalleled access to the media and community members relative to other city leaders.

Tacoma’s future will largely depend on Strickland’s effectiveness in advocating for the city in Olympia and Washington, D.C. She will have to effectively compete against other Washington cities such as Seattle, which has always seized the lion’s share of state and federal benefits, as if it were their entitlement, with rarely a whimper of an objection from Tacoma.

The mayor’s priorities for 2010 must be to rebuild Tacoma and attract people and companies to the city and to modernize the city’s codes when needed. Tacoma still retains a 1960s-era suburban building code in most of the downtown, which has thwarted the city’s growth and recovery and left it pocked with an endless supply of blightful surface-level parking lots. Tacoma’s failure to adopt an urban zoning code, which other cities employ, has unnecessarily added millions onto development costs, forcing development into the county and nearby cities.

The current condition of Tacoma in terms of education, attractiveness and economic vitality is the cumulative result of past decisions of Tacoma’s mayors and council members, yielding results far below the city’s potential. Tacoma’s future will improve, based not on the good intentions of Strickland and other council members, but only to the degree that they are able to learn about and implement the best practices available in and rebuilding and revitalizing the city.

Erik Bjornson is an attorney in downtown Tacoma who is a co-editor of Tacoma Sun and discusses urban issues on his blog Tacoma Urbanist. He currently serves as chair of North End Neighborhood Council.

Jim Merritt, Candidate for Mayor of Tacoma

Introduction:

Below are the questions and responses sent  Jim Merritt, candidate for Mayor of Tacoma.

The questions being asked to Tacoma City Council candidates this year from the Tacoma Sun are very specific and address such issues as the Winthrop Hotel, Parking Requirements, Tacoma Streetcars, and Felon Dumping Ground Issue

1) Jail releases

Question: The media has reported that the Pierce County Jail currently releases nearly all of the people who have been arrested in Pierce County into downtown Tacoma even if they are arrested in Orting or a remote area of the county. Would you support a plan which would transport some or all of the jail releases to the places where they were arrested or where they live when their sentence ends?

Answer:

Yes, I feel it is reasonable to transport people back to where they were arrested or where they lived prior to their arrest. It is not acceptable for Tacoma to be the only area in the State of Washington where new releases are placed in this manner. We must push for better control of this situation.

2) Growth management

Question: Over the last 30 years, Pierce County has been known for suburban sprawl which has caused the loss of farmland, pollution, traffic congestion and disinvestment in Tacoma. If you are elected, how will you address the effects of sprawl and growth management in Pierce County? How would that plan be different, if at all, from what is in place now?

Answer:

I am against suburban sprawl with all of its ramifications. I believe in promoting dense growth in the urban centers. I have rejected working on projects that contribute to urban sprawl in my architectural practice. A reasonable and basically open discussion of the early stages of the planning and permitting process is important. The idea is a matter of the community needing to be well aware of the impact of proposed projects. This does not need to be laborious and onerous to identify issues to consider. The community can be helpful to work toward endorsed solutions at this early stage. The developer/investor will know the criteria for the project. It should be easy to explain in a two page document about an upcoming project which would benefit the community. We need to understand the impacts of large-scale developments before a project is committed but at the same time move the project along to provide family wage jobs in a timely manner. This is part of being a “customer friendly” city to encourage significant job growth.

3) Pierce County Felon “Dumping Ground” Issues

Question: As you know, Tacoma and Pierce County have a disproportionate number of released felons placed by the Department of Corrections as described in the Tacoma City Club report: 30 Years of DOC in Pierce County, Was It worth It?

Answer:

No, it has not been worth it. Tacoma and Pierce County has suffered a high crime rate because it has been used as a dumping ground in the past. I continue to get reports that this practice still is occurring.

If elected, what do you plan to do, if anything to reduce the number of felons placed in Tacoma and Pierce County? Do you agree that Tacoma and Pierce County should have no more than their pro-rata share based on population? How can the concentration of felons be reduced to its pro-rata share?

Tacoma and Pierce County should have no more than its pro-rata share based on population. As Mayor of Tacoma I will work closely with the Tacoma-Pierce County Sheriff Department and Pierce County Courts in creating a solid and plan for released felons. This plan will include placing felons back in the cities or states where they lived prior to their sentence.
4) Restoration of Winthrop Hotel

Question: A great many Tacomans would like to see the Winthrop Hotel Elks Temple restored as Spokane has restored the Davenport Hotel. What is your position on this issue? What plan would you support?
What ideas do you have to make this goal of Tacomans a reality?

Answer:

Yes, I support the restoration of the Winthrop Hotel and the Elks Temple. As an architect I have a solid understanding and experience in preserving many Tacoma buildings such as: Washington State Historical Society Museum; Tacoma Union Station; Carlton Center; Jefferson Square; Colonial Square and the Tacoma Rialto Theatre, just to name a few. I have given presentations to several business and civic groups in Tacoma, with detailed plans for restoring the Elks Temple and have met with business entrepreneurs in offering ideas for restoring the Elks temple. I will proactively work to see that both of these projects are completed with positive results. We must get these two projects done. The Elks appears to have a winning formula which I support and I have ideas to move the Winthrop forward and relocate the subsidized housing.

5) Rebuilding Tacoma

Question: Despite the progress made, Tacoma still has a large number of vacant lots, and empty and blighted buildings relative to other west coast cities. What role can you and Pierce County take, if you are elected, to support the rebuilding of downtown Tacoma and Tacoma’s mixed use centers?

Answer:

As an architect, I have led many projects that have helped to revitalize Tacoma’s downtown and its neighborhoods. I worked to restore Union Station into the beautiful federal courthouse it is today. I collaborated with the UW Tacoma to convert the Pinkerton building into the Institute of Technology. Historic structures should be seen as assets, not a liability. Just look at what happened to the Luzon building. That whole block used to be lined with historic buildings and now sits under-utilized as a parking lot. As mayor, I will continue to find creative, new uses for blighted areas. I fully support the Focus also on the mixed use centers with a comprehensive master plan approach that really includes the citizens in each neighborhood involved in the planning.

6) Building Walkable Neighborhood Centers and Downtown

Cities such as Portland, Seattle, Bellingham, San Francisco have removed their off-street parking requirements to allow parking to be built based on market demand. This also has the benefit of reducing sprawl, reducing pollution and allowing the construction of walkable neighborhoods. Do you support removing the off-street parking requirement in downtown Tacoma and in Tacoma’s mixed use centers?

Answer:

I support removing the off-street parking requirement in downtown and in Tacoma’s mixed use centers. Tacoma needs to move away from strip-mall style development and become more pedestrian friendly. The emphasis also must include a comprehensive transportation system (ie street cars, etc.) to make the auto less necessary.

7) Restoring Tacoma’s Streetcars

Question: Many Tacomans support restoring Tacoma’s streetcar system. Gas prices are now at record levels. Pierce County plays a large role in transportation systems in Tacoma. Do you support restoring the streetcar network in Tacoma? What steps would be needed to be taken to make this happen?

Answer:

Yes, I support a Tacoma streetcar system. The steps needed to make this happen are:

1)Design and develop where the streetcars would travel through Tacoma highlighting the most effective routes, business districts; neighborhood areas, etc.

2)Host a series of Town Hall meetings to inform and gain public input

3)Develop a plan which will tie the dense zones (ie mixed use centers)

VIII) Pollution Issues in Tacoma

Question: The City of Tacoma is currently failing the pollution criteria set by the State of Washington. What role can Pierce County play to reduce pollution in the city limits of Tacoma?

Answer:

Tacoma and Pierce County can work closely by implementing these three plans:

1) Develop a full network of bike pathways through the City to reduce auto use.

2) Work for a concentrated tree planting program throughout the city to include a “reforestation” of the tideflats (with significant edge plantings of significant scale to make a difference.)

3) Collaborate with all the neighborhoods of the City to develop an effective and well received plan developed through a grassroots approach to define appropriate mixed use urban living and working centers throughout our city. My strategies are to work with the neighborhoods and all interest groups to define a future that would embrace the needs for living and working in a quality “green” built environment.

9) Crime Reduction Proposal by City Manager Eric Anderson

Question: City Manager Eric Anderson has set a goal to reduce crime in Tacoma by 50 percent in 14 months. Given the predominant role Pierce County plays on the criminal justice system, what steps will you support the County government in taking so that the City of Tacoma can succeed?

Answer:

In addition to working with the Tacoma-Pierce County Sheriff’s Department and Pierce County Courts to return released felons to the counties where they were arrested and to improve the tracking of felons released here, I will encourage the County and City government to increase job training, local job creation, and other educational opportunities. I support the County and City in working with neighborhoods and local non-profit organizations to assist in the fulfillment of basic needs of families. The County should also emulate the programs of other Cities that have successfully reduced their crime rate.

My approach as an architect will be to gather information from other locales to implement effective remedies. We need to include the private sector in the City’s initiative.

What will Tacoma ’s Transportation system look like in 20 years? Will our streetscape be dotted with streetcars, bike lanes, and working sidewalking next to walkable mixed-use communities? How will we manage our growth in a way that creates vibrant neighborhoods and urban centers? What transportation infrastructure and policies will be needed to keep our city moving and encourage smart development? What is the role of parking policy in the discussion? How will we pay for the transportation and land-use challenges that lie ahead? How will the city integrate its economic development and climate change goals with its land-use and transportation plan?

On Thursday, October 1st, Please Join Transportation Choices Coalition, The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber and an exciting group of co-hosting organizations for an evening lively debate as we pose these questions of this nature to the Tacoma City Council and Mayoral Candidates.

The forum is open to the public, and transportation related questions for the candidates can be submitted prior to the event to juliap@tacomachamber.org. For general event questions or media inquires contact Andrew Austin at Andrew@transportationchoices.org.

EVENT INFORMATION
When: Thursday, Oct 1st, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Carwein Auditorium, UWT

Event Co-Hosts: Transportation Choices Coalition, The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, University of Washington Urban Studies Program, Futurewise, Cascade Bicycle Club, Tacoma Wheelman’s Bicycle Club, Tacoma Sun, Cascade Land Conservancy, and Exit 133.

Introduction:

Below are the questions and responses sent to Joe Lonergan, candidate for Tacoma City Council position.
The questions being asked to Tacoma City Council candidates this year from the Tacoma Sun are very specific and address such issues as the Winthrop Hotel, Parking Requirements, Tacoma Streetcars, and Felon Dumping Ground Issue

Answer: I have been active in crime-reduction efforts for six years on the South End Neighborhood Council.  I will continue to work closely with Community Based Services, Safe Streets, and TPD Community Liaison Officers and other community organizations as we develop and implement measures aimed at prevention, intervention and suppression of criminal activities.  My survey of hundreds of District Five voters shows that this is by far their number ONE issue, so it is mine too.  You can view the results here: http://www.joelonergan.com/viewpoll/24

Below are the questions and responses sent to Marty Campbell, candidate for Tacoma City Council position.
The questions being asked to Tacoma City Council candidates this year from the Tacoma Sun are very specific and address such issues as the Winthrop Hotel, Parking Requirements, Tacoma Streetcars, and Felon Dumping Ground Issues.

1) Jail releases

Question: The media has reported that the Pierce County Jail currently releases nearly all of the people who have been arrested in Pierce County into downtown Tacoma even if they are arrested in Orting or a remote area of the county.  Would you support a plan which would transport some or all of the jail releases to the places where they were arrested or where they live when their sentence ends?

Answer:

Yes, depending on the plan. The County sheriff needs to provide an opportunity for releases to have safe transit to the places where they were arrested or where they live.

2) Growth management

Question: Over the last 30 years, Pierce County has been known for suburban sprawl which has caused the loss of farmland, pollution, traffic congestion and disinvestment in Tacoma.

If you are elected, how will you address the effects of sprawl and growth management in Pierce County and the relatively low rate of investment in Tacoma?

Answer:

We need strategic thinking when planning for the future growth in Tacoma and Pierce County.  I would continue to push for more comprehensive planning for the City and for our neighborhood business districts.

We also need to make sure we have an effective voice in regional transit planning, while continue to develop sensible transit planning and implementation.

3) Pierce County Felon “Dumping Ground” Issues

Question: As you know, Tacoma and Pierce County have a disproportionate number of released felons placed by the Department of Corrections as described in the Tacoma City Club report: 30 Years of DOC in Pierce County, Was It worth It?

If re-elected, what do you plan to do, if anything to reduce the number of felons placed in Tacoma and Pierce County?  Do you agree that Tacoma and Pierce County should have no more than their pro-rata share based on population?  How can the concentration of felons in Tacoma be reduced to the city’s pro-rata share?

Answer:

Yes.  Tacoma has received more that it’s “fair share” of released felons over the years. We need to work with the pierce county sheriff and the department of Corrections (DOC) to develop a workable plan for returning jail releases to the places where they were arrested or where they live.

3) Restoration of Winthrop Hotel

Question: A great many Tacomans would like to see the Winthrop Hotel restored as Spokane has restored the Davenport Hotel.
What is your position on this issue?  Do you support the goal of restoring the Winthrop Hotel back into a hotel as the News Tribune and others have advocated?
What ideas do you have to make this goal of many Tacomans a reality?

Answer:

I support the restoration of historic landmarks.  As seen with the conversations regarding the Elks project, these projects can inspire excitement and bring economic growth to our city.  Hotels and designation as a tourist destination would bring Tacoma more economic growth.  However, downtown growth needs to be matched with growth and investment in our neighborhoods. We need to work with the property owners to help them see their role in our city.

4) Rebuilding Tacoma

Question: Despite the progress made, Tacoma still has a large number of vacant lots, and empty and blighted buildings relative to other west coast cities.  What role can you and Tacoma take, if you are elected, to support the rebuilding of downtown Tacoma and Tacoma’s mixed use centers?

Answer:

We need to ensure that we have a city wide strategic plan for economic recovery.

5) Building Walkable Neighborhood Centers and Downtown

Cities such as Portland, Seattle, Bellingham, San Francisco have removed their off-street parking requirements to allow parking to be built based on market demand.  This also has the benefit of reducing sprawl, reducing pollution and allowing the construction of walkable neighborhoods.

Do you support removing the off-street parking requirement in downtown Tacoma and in Tacoma’s mixed use centers?

Answer:

Yes. I have in the past and will continue to in the future lead the conservation about sensible transit and parking solutions.

5) Restoring Tacoma’s Streetcars

Question: Many Tacomans support restoring Tacoma’s streetcar system.  Gas prices have recently been at record levels. Do you support restoring the streetcar network in Tacoma?  What steps would be needed to be taken to make this happen?

Answer:

Yes. The steps that need to be taken are many and some are very detailed. I am committed to making it sure the process is open and reflects the needs and character of the neighborhood they serve.

We need to identify federal, state, and regional sources for funding and ensure the funding meets our goals and planning.

6) Pollution Issues in Tacoma

Question: Parts of the City of Tacoma are currently failing the pollution criteria set by the State of Washington. What actions will you take if elected, if any, to reduce the pollution level in the city limits of Tacoma?

Answer:

We must work to address storm water run off and non-point sources solutions for reduced pollution into the sound.

To reach attainment in air quality standards, we are going need to develop mass transit and alternative transportation methods.

I will continue to support our office of sustainability and many of the partners we have in the environmental community here in Tacoma.  By offering incentives and proper, sensible regulation we can make steady incremental steps toward addressing pollution levels.

7) Crime Reduction Proposal by City Manager Eric Anderson

Question: City Manager Eric Anderson has set a goal to reduce crime in Tacoma by 50 percent in 14 months. What specific steps, if any, will you take if elected to reduce the crime rate in Tacoma?

Answer:

I would support the expansion of community based services throughout the city.  Additionally, I would support an increase in detectives for the police department and seek state and federal funding to target and eliminate the gangs and the criminal behaviors that surround them.

I will continue to be a strong advocate to community policing and continue to be involved in the many community groups in district #4.

I will also work with our school district to address issues of education and our community’s role in educating and keeping our children.

Below are the questions and responses sent to Keven Rojecki, candidate for Tacoma City Council position.

The questions being asked to Tacoma City Council candidates this year from the Tacoma Sun are very specific and address such issues as the Winthrop Hotel, Parking Requirements, Tacoma Streetcars, and Felon Dumping Ground Issues.

1) Jail releases

Question: The media has reported that the Pierce County Jail currently releases nearly all of the people who have been arrested in Pierce County into downtown Tacoma even if they are arrested in Orting or a remote area of the county.  Would you support a plan which would transport some or all of the jail releases to the places where they were arrested or where they live when their sentence ends?

Answer:

Yes, I support plans to reduce the high burden of offenders who are released from the Pierce County Jail on our city streets and will work with the State, County and other cities to end this practice.  We should also go a step further; we must find solutions that reduce offender recidivism.  By improving the outcome of people released from jail, we are ensuring a safer community.  Both of these ideas would raise awareness to citizens who fear for their public safety and provide solutions so that the City of Tacoma is not a dumping ground for criminals.

Additionally, an idea would be for the City and County, and collaboration with other cities in the County, to enact ordinances that take from successful state legislation that promotes “fair sharing” of post-incarceration of offenders among Washington Counties.  Promoting a risk and deficit assessment of each offender prior to release will allow for more coordination at release with each jurisdiction involved. We should also work with many of the government and non-profit groups that work to provide assistance for transition from jail to the community they live within.

2) Growth management

Question: Over the last 30 years, Pierce County has been known for suburban sprawl which has caused the loss of farmland, pollution, traffic congestion, and disinvestment in Tacoma.

If you are elected, how will you address the effects of sprawl and growth management in Pierce County and the relatively low rate of investment in Tacoma?

Answer:

With passage of the Growth Management Act (GMA) in 1990, the City of Tacoma and Pierce County have made progress to reduce suburban sprawl, but more work is needed locally and regionally.  The GMA was state legislation that required local governments to develop comprehensive growth policies and has been the basis by which cities, counties and designated regional boards plan for urban growth relative to open space and environmental protection, economic development, affordable housing, sprawl and transportation issues.

We need reform in our city planning that develops strategies to apply public resources that stimulate private investment in our community.  Currently the City Council is reviewing a proposal by the Planning Committee to improve upon Tacoma’s mixed-use centers and reform their commercial and residential zoning restrictions in order to foster growth and expansion.  This plan causes the city to focus not just on downtown but on the multiple key business districts located throughout Tacoma’s neighborhoods.  The Planning Committee’s intent with this proposal is to concentrate our urban growth in not only our downtown but also in these mixed-use centers that will be used as transit hubs, local business centers, and office space for smaller businesses wishing to bring their services into neighborhoods.

The comprehensive plan resonates with the successful Urban Growth Area Planning established within the GMA.  Effectively, the state desired that counties establish specific urban growth areas that would become the focal point of urban growth by setting heavy restrictions on regions not labeled such, and therefore focusing business, commercial, and heavy residential growth in these urban growth areas.  In Tacoma we can use a similar plan on a smaller scale to effectively do the same.  We need to start developing not just our downtown, but our neighborhoods’ mixed-use centers so that we can foster the investment and development Tacoma needs, throughout our city.

The lack of investment and need for economic development opportunities are serious issues for Tacoma, and both are priorities in my campaign.  We need to reinvest in Tacoma and bring back the vitality and prosperity to our streets that were experienced with the rebuilding of Union Station, establishment of UW Tacoma and other great public and private investments.  We must also stimulate investment in each neighborhood mixed-use center; very few sustainable investments have been made in over a decade and the City Council needs strong leadership that works with our neighborhood and business leaders to improve our neighborhoods.

To address sprawl and lack of investment, we need to take action now.  The first thing city leadership must do is to stop treating Tacoma like a suburb and start treating it like a city.  Much of our city’s planning has been suburban in mentality yet we are not a suburb but rather a rapidly growing city.  Tacoma is a major seaport on the West Coast, we are the state’s third largest city – trailing Spokane only by a few thousand people – and Tacoma is the metropolitan center of Pierce County, which hosts a population of nearly 800,000.

In order to re-invest in our city the City Council needs strong new leadership that is bold as well as willing to look at every option.  For too long we have left things up to the market hoping that our city would prosper in due time.  This has not worked for America’s economy and it will not work for Tacoma’s.  We can also focus on simple goals that improve the quality of life for every citizen.  It’s time for us to take action and we must use every level and branch of government to do so and bring collaboration with business leaders for long-term development with these goals in mind.

3) Pierce County Felon “Dumping Ground” Issues

Question: As you know, Tacoma and Pierce County have a disproportionate number of released felons placed by the Department of Corrections as described in the Tacoma City Club report: 30 Years of DOC in Pierce County, Was It worth It?

If re-elected, what do you plan to do, if anything to reduce the number of felons placed in Tacoma and Pierce County?  Do you agree that Tacoma and Pierce County should have no more than their pro-rata share based on population?  How can the concentration of felons in Tacoma be reduced to the city’s pro-rata share?

Answer:

Yes, I agree that Tacoma and Pierce County should not have more than our fair share of felon’s released in pro-rata of its population.  In recent history, Tacoma and Pierce County had a higher population of felons on our streets because of Washington State Department of Correction facilities located nearby.  The practice of releasing felons at a higher rate than any other city or county must stop and is a serious public safety concern that will take leadership from the city, county and state government.

Since the Tacoma City Club report, Governor Gregoire signed into law Senate Bill 6157, which changed provisions affecting offenders who leave confinement.  This legislation is a step forward, but more work must be accomplished to bring safer streets and to reduce the recidivism of post-offenders who choose to stay near the inner city.  Many of the felons released from confinement are incarcerated by the city, county or state and coordination amongst these jurisdictions is necessary to provide long-term solutions.

We must address these critical issues now to support a more livable city and bring a greater sense of security for each neighborhood.  With city, county, and state support we can start re-proportioning our felon population throughout the state, rather than dumping everyone here in Tacoma and perpetuating our city’s crime problem.

4) Restoration of Winthrop Hotel

Question: A great many Tacomans would like to see the Winthrop Hotel restored as Spokane has restored the Davenport Hotel.

What is your position on this issue?  Do you support the goal of restoring the Winthrop Hotel back into a hotel as the News Tribune and others have advocated?

What ideas do you have to make this goal of many Tacomans a reality?

Answer:

Yes, rebuilding the Winthrop would be a significant step in reinvesting in Tacoma. The Davenport has been a huge success in Spokane and we should take a similar course of action to renovate the Winthrop.  The primary concern is of course money as the hotel’s renovation will cost millions.  The short-term investment would benefit the city with long-term stabilization on cleaning up areas of the city that deter private development opportunities.  The Winthrop project would also create new economic development opportunities as the Link light rail line is in close proximity.  Additionally it would turn what is currently blight upon our downtown into a symbol of revitalization and reinvestment in our city.

We have two overall options with the reconstruction of the Winthrop.  We can allow the Winthrop to be sold to a developer under conditions and guidelines that will ensure the building is transformed into the hotel or mixed-use center.  Alternatively, the city can utilize bonding or alternate revenue sources to create a public-private partnership and rebuild the structure in an effort to pull together a foundation of new opportunities for downtown development.  The first option allows the city to avoid making a major investment and distribute funds during a recession while the latter allows the city to take advantage of the low cost of land and building space to make a long-term and cost-effective investment.

Regardless of which route we end up choosing I will strongly advocate as a City Council Member to restore the Winthrop as I believe the City Council should lead the way for stimulating reinvestment in Tacoma.  Further, the state can also be an enormous benefactor to revitalizing the Winthrop and other properties; my experiences and relationships with State appropriation leaders will help bring capital improvement revenue to make this project a reality.

5) Rebuilding Tacoma

Question: Despite the progress made, Tacoma still has a large number of vacant lots, and empty and blighted buildings relative to other west coast cities.  What role can you and Tacoma take, if you are elected, to support the rebuilding of downtown Tacoma and Tacoma’s mixed use centers?

Answer:

When it comes to rebuilding and revitalizing our city we must make priorities.  Before we begin investing in new developments we need to look at the vacant lots and empty buildings throughout our city.  We must begin our efforts of reinvesting in Tacoma with these sites.  Let’s stop spending the city’s limited resources on pet projects and invest in revitalizing.  While I believe we have an amazing convention center in Downtown, I am saddened that I rarely get to see it used for the potential it was built.  We do not have the urban vitality or hotel space to support large events at the center.  As a leader on the City Council I will choose to rebuild, reinvest, and revitalize our dilapidated and empty buildings with strong leadership, partnerships with community business leaders, and state leaders ready to invest in our city.

Tacoma needs to jump start its economy and urban vitality with long term vision that promotes public investment and public/private partnerships that resolve problems, not complicate them further.  The lack of class A office space, hotel rooms to support thousands of convention goers and a lack of retail stores in our downtown has hindered and prevented further business investment in our city’s core.  As new “For Lease” signs show up in windows all over our city at an enormous rate, we cannot continue to ignore the harmful effects these have on our neighborhoods.

6) Building Walkable Neighborhood Centers and Downtown

Cities such as Portland, Seattle, Bellingham, San Francisco have removed their off-street parking requirements to allow parking to be built based on market demand.  This also has the benefit of reducing sprawl, reducing pollution and allowing the construction of walkable neighborhoods.

Do you support removing the off-street parking requirement in downtown Tacoma and in Tacoma’s mixed use centers?

Answer:

Yes, with provisions that periodically evaluate the reduction in off-street parking requirements.  By reducing the off-street parking requirements the city would effectively establish a plan that promotes higher density and pedestrian friendly mixed-use centers.  The reduced requirements would encourage alternate transportation choices such as bicycles, streetcars, buses, and light rail, all which I strongly support.  If these requirements are approved, the city must move toward a multi-modal transportation system and provide capital investment in high capacity alternatives while prioritizing transportation corridors in areas near mixed-use centers.  It is essential that Pierce Transit, Sound Transit and the City of Tacoma work together to find solutions that make the reduction in off-street parking sustainable for the future and meet the intended goals of reducing sprawl and developing neighborhoods we can walk in.

7) Restoring Tacoma’s Streetcars

Question: Many Tacomans support restoring Tacoma’s streetcar system.  Gas prices have recently been at record levels.  Do you support restoring the streetcar network in Tacoma?  What steps would be needed to be taken to make this happen?

Answer:

I strongly support any and all efforts to bring back our streetcar system.  Currently cars are our primary means of transportation throughout the city and we have an opportunity to reduce environmental concerns and provide economic development opportunities that create a more livable city for all citizens.  Tacoma is growing rapidly along with the greater Pierce County region.  We need to develop long-term solutions to an already overwhelmed transportation system.  I believe the City of Tacoma must provide the capital investment, build a coalition of economic partners, and bring mass transit options into our city.

VIII) Pollution Issues in Tacoma

Question: Parts of the City of Tacoma are currently failing the pollution criteria set by the State of Washington. What actions will you take if elected, if any, to reduce the pollution level in the city limits of Tacoma?

Answer:

Our environmental goals in Tacoma need to be: One, expansion in our light rail system from beyond Tacoma’s downtown and reach into each of our neighborhoods to lower CO2 emissions and improve air quality.  Two, continue to make progress and expand opportunities for green construction and sustainable design. Three, we must address the environmental concerns that contaminate Commencement Bay and make certain that our drinking water supply is safe and healthy for years to come.

We have been discussing the use of mass transit throughout Tacoma for over a decade.  The time for action in now; we need to begin construction of a viable streetcar/light rail system.  We can do this with strong leadership and public financing that will remove cars from the road and provide economic opportunities that also enhance the vitality of our neighborhoods.  We cannot simply wait for business interests to make green buildings and sustainable design principles through the normal route.  We can help businesses with leadership that shows reward and investment for a better Tacoma.  I would take lead as a City Council Member to work with the Office of Sustainability on programs and initiatives that set benchmarks for the reduction of green house gas emissions as one of my first actions in office.  The drinking water, by ways of rivers and streams, along with Puget Sound are not free of chemicals and pesticides.  We can further our education and work toward making each of our citizens aware of their actions and how this impacts our natural resources.  If we fail to correct standard behavior by most, we have failed to lead the effort toward reduction and elimination of the things that pollute our environment.

Through education, benchmarks, and immediate action I hope to bring resolution and change to Tacoma’s environmental challenges.

9) Crime Reduction Proposal by City Manager Eric Anderson

Question: City Manager Eric Anderson has set a goal to reduce crime in Tacoma by 50 percent in 14 months. What specific steps, if any, will you take if elected to reduce the crime rate in Tacoma

Answer:

The proposal to reduce crime by 50% in 14 months is unrealistic if our approach to prevention and early intervention programs remain unchanged or not funded appropriately.  We must look at a balanced approach to keep criminals from re-offending and deter our at-risk youth from wandering the streets.  The City Council must provide the resources for a multi-faceted program that includes prevention and early intervention programs as well as enhancements to prediction and response of criminal activities.  A citywide program that partners with citizens, community organizations, and city departments to create a citywide strategy is essential to a successful reduction in crime.

As a firefighter, I know the importance of public safety and the resulting impact on our community if citizens fear for their safety.  My plans would include looking to other communities’ plans that reduced violent crime, reduced gang activity, and created more livable neighborhoods.  Specifically, I would bring together new partners to develop a realistic plan that includes prevention, early intervention, new technologies, and promote volunteer opportunities in neighborhoods.  It has been shown that strategies which rely on close cooperation between the police department and the community result in decreased crime and improved relations.

Below are the questions and responses sent to Victoria Woodards, candidate for Tacoma City Council position.

The questions being asked to Tacoma City Council candidates this year from the Tacoma Sun are very specific and address such issues as the Winthrop Hotel, Parking Requirements, Tacoma Streetcars, and Felon Dumping Ground Issues.

1) Jail releases

Question: The media has reported that the Pierce County Jail currently releases nearly all of the people who have been arrested in Pierce County into downtown Tacoma even if they are arrested in Orting or a remote area of the county.  Would you support a plan which would transport some or all of the jail releases to the places where they were arrested or where they live when their sentence ends?

Answer: YES

2) Growth management

Question: Over the last 30 years, Pierce County has been known for suburban sprawl which has caused the loss of farmland, pollution, traffic congestion and disinvestment in Tacoma.

If you are elected, how will you address the effects of sprawl and growth management in Pierce County and the relatively low rate of investment in Tacoma?

Answer: When I was a kid I remember driving 15 minutes out of town and feeling like I was in the country. The trip to Northwest Trek used to seem like a true adventure. Today, the trip to Northwest Trek is not the same. Tacoma has built out. I see the effects of sprawl and I want to preserve the attributes that make Tacoma and Pierce County so rich. I support development and opportunities for people to LIVE in high density areas. I believe that mixed use and high density centers create great opportunities for sustainability. I will work to create incentives for high density and mixed use centers.

3) Pierce County Felon Dumping Ground Issues

Question: As you know, Tacoma and Pierce County have a disproportionate number of released felons placed by the Department of Corrections as described in the Tacoma City Club report: 30 Years of DOC in Pierce County, Was It worth It?

If elected, what do you plan to do, if anything to reduce the number of felons placed in Tacoma and Pierce County?  Do you agree that Tacoma and Pierce County should have no more than their pro-rata share based on population?  How can the concentration of felons in Tacoma be reduced to the citys pro-rata share?

Answer: Tacoma does not deserve to be the dumping ground for released felons. I dont believe we deserve more than our fair share and I support legislation such as SB 6157 (2007-2008) which sought to change provisions of offenders who left confinement. Joint efforts with the Department of Corrections (DOC), local law enforcement, and state and local elected officials will be imperative. The strength of these collaborations can help examine statistics and determine our fair share. I will continue to work with the state legislators to create laws prohibiting more than our fair share of felons in Tacoma.

3) Restoration of Winthrop Hotel

Question: A great many Tacomans would like to see the Winthrop Hotel restored as Spokane has restored the Davenport Hotel.

What is your position on this issue?  Do you support the goal of restoring the Winthrop Hotel back into a hotel as the News Tribune and others have advocated?

What ideas do you have to make this goal of many Tacomans a reality?

Answer: I have visited the Davenport Hotel in Spokane and I recognize the value of this kind of historical landmark. Tacoma deserves to have a similar treasure in our community. Where funds are available I support the restoration of this hotel. In these tough economic times continued exploration of public/private partnerships will be the best way to make this goal a reality.

4) Rebuilding Tacoma

Question: Despite the progress made, Tacoma still has a large number of vacant lots, and empty and blighted buildings relative to other west coast cities.  What role can you and Tacoma take, if you are elected, to support the rebuilding of downtown Tacoma and Tacomas mixed use centers?

Answer: I remember when Downtown Tacoma had a department store & restaurants and few, if any, vacant buildings. I understand and have a real commitment to returning Downtown Tacoma to the place I remember. As a convener Id pull together resources to devise and implement a plan to turn Downtown Tacoma into the place it used to be.

5) Building Walkable Neighborhood Centers and Downtown

Cities such as Portland, Seattle, Bellingham, and San Francisco have removed their off-street parking requirements to allow parking to be built based on market demand.  This also has the benefit of reducing sprawl, reducing pollution and allowing the construction of walkable neighborhoods.

Do you support removing the off-street parking requirement in downtown Tacoma and in Tacomas mixed use centers?

Answer: Yes. Building walk-able neighborhoods creates successful opportunities to restore downtown and enhance our business districts into safer, greener, urban communities to be enjoyed by families, shoppers, tourists, cyclists, and diverse groups from the city.

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6) Restoring Tacomas Streetcars

Question: Many Tacomans support restoring Tacomas streetcar system.  Gas prices have recently been at record levels. Do you support restoring the streetcar network in Tacoma?  What steps would be needed to be taken to make this happen?

Answer: Yes. Sustainability comes from creating convenience. I believe streetcars are an opportunity to create transportation in areas that lack convenience. Public/private partnerships with Pierce County Transit, Sound Transit, as well as other transit organizations are key in the successful restoration of the streetcar network.

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7) Pollution Issues in Tacoma

Question: Parts of the City of Tacoma are currently failing the pollution criteria set by the State of Washington. What actions will you take if elected, if any, to reduce the pollution level in the city limits of Tacoma?

Answer: The Green Climate Taskforce has made recommendation to keep the City of Tacoma green and more sustainable. To reduce the pollution level in Tacoma my plan would include utilizing the aforementioned recommendations in collaboration with the expertise of the Office of Sustainability to work toward finding new and innovative means to address this issue.

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VIII) Crime Reduction Proposal by City Manager Eric Anderson

Question: City Manager Eric Anderson has set a goal to reduce crime in Tacoma by 50 percent in 14 months. What specific steps, if any, will you take if elected to reduce the crime rate in Tacoma?

Answer: In an effort to reduce the crime rate I would employ professionals in law enforcement who can research and explain reasonable endeavors toward reduction of crime and the increase of safety. Neighborhood watch groups and organizations such as Safe Streets will be paramount in

Today, the Tacoma Sun publishes the first of a series of questions and answers to candidates. Below is Tacoma School Board Candidate Chris Van Vechten’s response to critical questions affecting Tacoma School District from an urban perspective.

Chris Van Vechten

Question No.1 Location of Schools

Since the 1950s, many school boards have closed local neighborhood schools in favor of new remote suburban schools with large fields.

Do you support closing neighborhood schools in favor of larger modern schools on the edge of the city? To what degree do you support renovating existing schools?

Answer:

Schools of any kind serve a special kind of social role as a community center for neighborhoods, and a social club and safe haven for their children. Moving schools to the suburbs leads to an exodus of privileged families away from the urban centers, depriving urban schools – and their students – of critical parental support, role models and financial resources. Moreover, evidence continues to suggest that the age of suburbia may be coming to an end as rising energy costs and rush hour congestion make urban life seem far more appealing to middle class homeowners. Therefore, I prefer renovating existing schools rather than relocating them whenever possible.

The passage of renovation bonds relies strongly on school board leadership and community outreach, which the current Board has sadly neglected. I can attest to this fact having volunteered for the 2006 Replacement Levy Campaign, The 2007 Simple Majority 4204 Campaign, and the recent March 10 Capital Improvement Bond. I am committed to assuming the proper responsibility of a board Director, and engaging and involving the public at every step of the way.

Now as to cosmetic renovation, well….allow me to provide your readers with an anecdote. Not too long ago I was at the door of a voter who suggested that it was a travesty that the school district owned Stadium High School. He thought it was a waste of real estate that should be sold to condo developers. To quote him exactly “no school should have water-front property.”

While I recognize that pretty buildings don’t make students smarter, I also consider Stadium both an ornament to the city and a historical treasure. Having both earned a BA in history from Tacoma’s University of Puget Sound and served on the Pierce County Arts Commission – this all really matters to me.

That being said, we can’t sacrifice students’ access to pricy electives like theater and music simply for the sake of cosmetic renovation. It’s all about balance.

Question No. 2 Re: School Closure Issues

A few years ago, the Tacoma School District considered closing some local schools. Do you favor closing schools as a way to save expenses? If so, what criteria would you employ to decide what schools to close?

Answer:

No, I don’t support school closures as a way to save money. We should retain schools as much as possible for their vital social role in the community. I believe that the Board has a unique opportunity to employ its leadership in the community to generate revenue for the District, and that it is seriously under-utilizing this opportunity. But when cuts are to be made, they should be made as sparingly as possible to educators and schools. As a Director, I will partner with parents, teachers and community leaders to identify collaborative cost-cutting strategies that save as many schools and jobs as possible.

Question No. 3 Re: Communities and Schools

Many of Tacoma’s schools are used for a fraction of the week. To what extent do you support increasing community use of the school facilities?

Answer:

I strongly support community partnerships of any kind for our schools. Any kind of positive relationship between the School District and the community will yield massive dividends for both parties. The same community members who use our facilities for their social activities are more likely to be open to volunteering in their children’s schools, supporting levy and bond measures, and getting involved in other School District activities.

Question No. 4 Re: Surplus School Property
Rogers Elementary School closed a few years ago and was slated to become a homeless/treatment center. Do you support having neighborhoods have a role in how surplus buildings are used?

If local neighborhoods have no say over how their schools are to be used, then the School Board has failed in its mission. It is the role of any board Director to bring every community stakeholder to the table with important decisions as early as possible, regardless of how controversial some of those decisions may be. It is impossible to satisfy all parties – but it is vital to involve everyone.

In 2005, Washington State lawmakers responded to a long-time request from county auditors throughout the state – namely, a need for more money to archive documents for historic posterity. The solution came in the form of a new law — RCW 36.22.170 –- which established a filing surcharge for preservation of historical documents. Funds collected from the surcharge are distributed annually to counties.

The fund’s intent was twofold: allow cash-strapped counties more funding to manage documents; and promote historic preservation programs. Whether that has happened in Tacoma and Pierce County is uncertain.

The original house bill stated the money would “be used solely for ongoing preservation of historical documents of all county offices and departments and shall not be added to the county current expense fund.”

Unfortunately, it is difficult to apply strict “one-size-fits-all” guidelines to state laws. Language that could have explicitly directed the historic preservation portion of the funds into a dedicated account was not included. Instead, all funds were deposited into a general account. For over half a year, funds accumulated in a Pierce County account until a Dec. 28, 2005 memo from County Finance Director, Patrick Kenney was issued. In it, Kenney asked department heads for proposals on how to spend the money, adding, “There isn’t much definition as to what constitutes ‘promote historic preservation or historical purposes…’”

In response to Kenney’s request, a list of projects totaling $300,000 was compiled. The projects included:

– Display of historic staff photos and artifacts for the Sheriff’s Department ($10,000);
– Pierce County interactive history Web site” ($39,120);
– New historical photographic images ($60,000)

On April 18, 2006, Pierce County Council, with then-County Executive John W. Ladenburg’s blessing, approved resolution R2006-28, which authorized spending the money.

Fast-forward one year to fall of 2007, when an ad hoc committee formed by council member Tim Farrell met to put together a grant program using the new funds. The group was comprised of representatives from Historic Tacoma, Washington State Archives, Washington State History Museum, Tacoma Public Library, Tacoma Historical Society, Puyallup Library, City of Tacoma, along with Pierce County Historic Preservation Officer Julia Park.

A program was created. In April 2008, three years after the creation of the fund, a request for grant proposals were issued. The program hit a snag, however, when the county’s landmarks commission met behind closed doors to decide which proposals would be funded. The county was concerned the commission may have violated the Open Public Meetings Act. As a result, the commission issued a public notice and made funding recommendations in a public meeting.

Currently, Pierce County runs historic preservation activities using a part-time staff member. Although funding was established in the 2008 budget to add additional part-time staff, the county instead used this money in place of using general fund monies to fund its current staffing level. Furthermore, Pierce County is canceling a grant cycle for 2009, has cancelled funding for increased preservation staff, and directed historic preservation money to be used in the county’s general fund, which may be against state law.

Pierce County elected officials need to restore funding to the historic preservation program as guided by the advisory group and the State of Washington. A funding crisis is no reason to throw commitments to the community out the window. There are many individuals and volunteer organizations in recent years who have made it a priority to make historic preservation happen. Now is not the time for Pierce County officials to leave them high and dry. Historic Preservation contributes to economic development and a community’s sense of well-being. How we treat our past reflects on the value we place on our future.

Following the Money at Pierce County Timeline
July 2005: State lawmakers pass RCW 36.22.170 which sets aside funding for the preservation of historical documents and to promote historic preservation.

December 28, 2005: Finance Director, Patrick Kenney issues request for projects memo.
April 18, 2006: Pierce County adopts resolution spending $300,000 for “Historical Documents Program.”

April 2, 2008: Behind the Times – Never mind the buildings. Can Pierce County restore its historic preservation program? An in-depth story by Todd Matthews on the county’s management of its historic preservation program.

April 2008: Pierce County announces the availability of the Pierce County Historic Preservation Grant Fund 2008 in the amount of $200,000.

July 24 2008: Pierce County Landmarks Commission will revisit preservation grant applications in public forum, The Tacoma Daily Index. Article on a closed door meeting by the landmarks commission to determine grant funding.

Anyway, joining in the conversation that evening was Tacoma gadfly and man-about-town, Teddy Haggarty. He mentioned an article he wrote for The Rocket magazine in the 80s. This blew me away that he had written for one of my favorite local rags! For those of you not around before the internet, The Rocket was not just “a” local music magazine, it was “the” local music magazine. For me, it was essential reading and I looked forward to each new issue every month. But I digress… Curious about Teddy’s article, I asked if he had a copy I could scan to share with Tacoma’s blogosphere. He obliged.

Here then is a copy of Teddy’s article originally published in August 1982.

-Morgan

A Day in the City of Destiny by Teddy Haggarty
The following is a day in the life of Teddy Haggarty, who—besides being a pillar of his community, Tacoma—manages Baby Knockors Strypes, and the Heroes in conjunction with his brother Leonard. The brothers Haggarty also work with comedian Earl Burks and dispense advice to No Cheese Please and the Names. Haggarty has published several books of his own poetry and prose and is currently working on a novella entitled Hawaii: Me And Harry, Our Life With the Stars. Of this article he says, “Everything is true.”

I GET UP TURNING OFF THE ELECTRIC blanket and fan. I like the fan noise and the idea of electricity flowing over my body. Bands call and want to know of new bookings, air play of songs, new reviews in papers and magazines. Sometimes people want meetings. I hate meetings. A friend came into over a million dollars and everyone wants a meeting with him now. He uses it for a free lunch. I’d do that, but I don’t like eating that much.

I have a meeting tonight with ex-Knockor Felix Penitrator, now of the Heroes. He says he wants to watch me dance at McGarver’s, a new disco near the water, after he gets through opening for Crown at the Back 40—my home away from home. My brother and I were in McGarver’s last week where Congressman Norm Dicks was dancing up a storm. Good way to meet girls; “Hi, I’m your congressman. Let’s dance.” Leonard complained to Dicks about the $24,000 temporary plywood Tacoma Mini-Dome sign. I talked to a contractor who put up a permanent metal sign with lots of neon lights, larger than the mini dome sign, for $20,000. He said he’d have done the dome sign for $5,000. Norm said he’d look into it. (We’d just seen The Thing for a dollar. My brother and I sat with our arms over our faces and our knees up. I looked over at four 12 year old girls. They were sitting the same way.)

After I get up I work on promo and take it to the Post Office where a clerk tells me that John Lennon is burning in hell for rock music inspired by Satan like what she says I’m sending out. I tell her it’s beautiful music for angels in heaven. I like to torment her. I watch the religious shows at night and ask a pastor who works across from me when I have questions. Jan on PTL was crying telling people Jesus fixed her washing machine after she prayed for it. I imagined millions of people praying over every object in their house. The pastor told me this does happen and he knows someone that prayed over a can of oil and made their car stop burning oil. He is very optimistic about my soul. If he doesn’t know the answer he tells me I’ll have to ask God after we are raptured.

I told Penitrator about a date I had who made me dance with her at the Black Angus. She was pretty drunk, fell down flat on her back and started gatoring. Everyone in the place watched. I didn’t know what to do. After that she wanted me to dance “wild” with her. I think that’s why Penitrator wants to watch me dance. Dancing is embarrassing but it’s kind of fun. I’m also meeting with Robert Richolt of Strypes tonight at McGarver’s to discuss some long range band strategy. I try to help regional acts get international attention. Sometimes Geffen Records calls to tell me what they thought of a demo tape. I feel like a big shot after I’m through talking. Someday they’ll tell me to get on a plane to discuss some contracts.

I’m worried about running into Arrogant Boulder. Some girl I ran into at The Raintree asked me to call him, ask for him and hand her the phone. Turned out he hates being disturbed by her. I’m afraid of getting a lecture.

BAND BUSINESS IS FRUSTRATING.
Poets, artists and writers know it might take a lifetime to get anywhere. Musicians know it can and does happen overnight to groups with or without talent.

I work in a foundry located across from a tombstone factory and a casket company. The Java Jive, a big tea pot, the world’s most psychedelic twilight zone that gets a crowd ranging from preppies to bikers, is down the street. The boss said I did a good job, was on time and had a good attendance record: “That’s what it takes to get ahead around here.” He said that five years ago. I have the same job. College educated mind rots in plant. It’s my own fault. John Foster of OP Magazine said he didn’t blame Olympia, just himself for living there.

Sometimes on the way to work I pass policewoman Leona Ellis who sued and got $150,000 for sexual harassment on the job. She’s suing again for something. I think about handling her career and directing her towards Playboy or Hollywood. I figure a cop with all that publicity might have a shot at a cameo on CHIPS or something.

I tell the bands the difference between winning and losing is quitting. Take a step at a time then jump. Keep putting in the money and eventually when you pull the lever you’ll win something. I hang out at the Back 40. The late night bartender is my guru and mentor. He says people make too big a deal over nothing and that once a person starts believing their own b.s. they are in trouble. He explains what’s really going on with politics and economics. He tapes up drawings I do on the wall. I call it the TMH Memorial Gallery.

I wind up at a lot of little parties where everyone is asking if they can borrow a beer. I read in the Enquirer how Joyce DeWitt locked herself in a bathroom and wouldn’t come out until she’d snorted all the lines of cocaine on a mirror. I wrote her a letter saying I thought the story was a cheap shot by a bunch of geeks and that I didn’t want her to think I read the Enquirer much (I read it all the time). She wrote me back a nice thank you for the support letter. I’ve noticed people locked in rooms and overheard stuff like, “It’s so good I had to put cut in it or your nose would bleed. Any other stuff in it was done by the farmers in South America who can buy duff cheap down there because it’s a foreign country.”

Organized crime hurt night life in T-town. The City of Destiny might have been one big strip joint if the mob had its way. I’ve heard Tacoma had a nickname among crime figures as “the little Chicago of the west coast.” The Back 40 used to turn away crowds four nights a week before it was torched three times.

I don’t feel much like a poet or artist unless people want to talk to me saying things like, “I can talk to you, you understand things, you’re a writer, you’re sensitive, you’re a poet, you understand.” Then they want to borrow money or something. I felt like a poet in Seattle a while ago. I came out of the Virginia Inn and asked this girl laying on the sidewalk if she was ok: “You wouldn’t ask me that if I was a bum would you!?” I found a nice piece of sidewalk and laid down then Leonard came out and laid down, then the girl we were with came out got mad and went to get the car. All we talked about was laying on the sidewalk with Joan Vee.

I was visiting in Montana. My cousins introduced me as being from Seattle figuring no one knew where Tacoma was. The people I met from Montana apologized for being from Montana. They all had excuses and were going to leave sometime. When I meet people I start with the worst and work down from there. If I feel obnoxious I’ll say I’m a poet and band manager. Sometimes I want to apologize: “I’m sorry I’m not a movie star or a rich and famous person but things haven’t worked out so I’m a foundry worker that went to college once…” I read in the Enquirer every now and then how men are trapped in women’s bodies or vice versa. I think a lot of bands have the potential of the Beatles or the Rolling Stones but are trapped by fate and circumstance in a local band.

My brother and I get letters now and then from our friend Carta. She’s always the guest of kings and queens or playing tennis with Hefner at Wimbledon. They depress and inspire me. I love them and reread them all the time. She says the next party she has that a lot of movie stars will attend she’ll invite us. I’m thrilled by tinsel town.

Before I go to bed I thumb through a stack of books: John Fante, Morse Peckham, Blaise Cen-dars, books on Bible prophecy, National Enquirer, the Tacoma News Tribune and rock mags from all over. The TNT gets very excited over all drug busts except heroin. A retired doctor was arrested in Tacoma who had been turned in by his neighbors who complained of finding syringes in their yards: “Honey I don’t mind the doc dealing dope but this is the third pair of Florsheims I’ve ruined this month from stepping into a pile of those used hypos. We’ve got to put an end to this!” The judge kicked the doctor out of town, told him to go peddle his stuff elsewhere. I was reading Morgan Fairchild had trouble getting dates in Hollywood. I wrote her saying I also had trouble getting dates and that we should get together. A few weeks later I received a wallet size pfidtb of Morgan from Hollywood. I’m still waiting for the date.

Epilogue: I never made it to my meeting with Penitrator or Robert. Got side tracked. Ran into Boulder and he just thought the call was funny and was in a good mood because he was with a beautiful girl who’d done some singing for the album. My brother and I met this older lawyer woman and two of her friends and they wanted us to dance with them in the parking lot of the Lobster Shop at 2:30 in the morning listening to an Eddie Rabbit tape from her BMW. We dance the night away.

Original Rocket article

This week: Wapato Lake

In this 1931 photo we see a fair amount of development to the east of the lake. Meanwhile, the western side still looks to be mostly rural.

In this 1950 photo, a main entrance to the park has been added on the eastern side (notice the roundabout). A couple of bridges have been placed across the lake by this time. Also note the extension of major arterials to the area replacing dirt roads and paths.

The difference seen in this 1973 photo is striking compared with just 23 years prior. The eastern grid is nearly fully built out and the western side has become more developed as well. Post WWII suburban developments are crowding the north end of the lake while I-5 has chopped its way through connecting with a widened 72nd Street.

This 1990 shot shows a continued filling in of the grid, but also a commercial strip development has sprung up adjacent to the lake on the western side.

And finally a color photo taken in 2006. Note how the size of the lake appears to be shrinking compared with earlier photos.

My work in Tacoma’s commercial real estate market has made me acutely aware of obstacles and opportunities for revitalization. Coupled with my interest in local historical architecture, one topic presents itself over and over again: the under-utilization of space or more specifically the under-utilization of upper floors in multi-storied commercial buildings.

Tacoma has seen a great deal of disinvestment since the 1960s. The gains of the recent real estate boom could revert back unless property owners are especially diligent and creative. The community also has a responsibility in maintaining awareness of conditions and not accepting blighted conditions – applying pressure to property owners if necessary. While I don’t see the City of Tacoma instituting a Vacant Property Registration Program for this particular issue, there may be incentives that could be more aggressively marketed to property owners.

Granted, even if all the square footage in the buildings that contain vacant (or missing) upper floors were suddenly made available, it probably wouldn’t be enough to save Russell. But at the same time, it makes me wonder what the potential of this space could be: studio space for artists, office space for community groups, not to mention market rate office and retail. A little bit here and there adds up to a substantial amount. And right now, in this economy, we need every little bit we can muster! Better utilizing unused space and replacing formerly existing space could contribute to more people using neighborhood business districts. It would also contribute to better cash flow for the owners who could then be in a better position to contribute to civic improvement projects… such as streetcars.

Based on my conversations with property owners, the reasons for not utilizing space vary from a simple lack of interest (more common with non-local or absentee owners) to a perception that the costs involved outweigh the benefits. Another common link is property owners who own the buildings they operate in. Often they are too close to see the opportunity, are too busy to make it a priority, or are cash strapped (real or perceived) to make the investment necessary for occupancy of the unused space.

Horsfall Building (aka Big Vac), 809 South 38th

One of my favorite business districts is the Lincoln District. I like the food, the stores, and the old buildings. Did you know a streetcar used to go from downtown to the Lincoln District?

One of my favorite buildings is the Horsfall on 38th and Yakima. It looks like a massive building because of all the frontage on 38th, but it sits on a shallow parcel. The building is owner-occupied and has been a janitorial supply house for as long as I can remember.

Status: entire upper floor vacant.
Potential square footage: 8,000

Vien Dong building, 38th & South Yakima

One of my favorite restaurants is Vien Dong also at the corner of South 38th & Yakima Avenue. Even though the owners aren’t Thai, I think they make some of the best phad Thai in town (not to mention their pho!). As you stand outside, notice the wide radius of the street corner – this is where streetcars used to turn and go down Yakima Avenue.

Status: entire upper floor vacant
Potential square footage: 5,700

Fraternity Hall, 1111-1115 Tacoma Avenue

One re-occurring theme in downtown Tacoma is the number of historic buildings that had upper floors damaged by fire or earthquake that were never rebuilt. The classic Waddell building on Pacific Avenue housing the Pacific Grill is one such example.

In the 1926 photograph taken above from 11th Street, you can see the Fraternity Hall building in background with “A. Gehri & Co.” painted on it. As you can see, it was quite a bit taller than it is today. A fire destroyed the upper floors and were never replaced.

Status: missing upper floors never replaced
Potential square footage: 10,000-20,000

The Lorenz Building, 1552-56 Market Street

The Lorenz Building was built in 1889 in the heart of Tacoma’s then Japantown. From 1899-1914, it was home to the Astor House, also known as the Hiroshimaya Hotel, the first major Japanese Hotel in Tacoma. In the mid 1920′s, the building housed the Columbus Hotel and the Tacoma Ju Jitsu School. The Lorenz Building today, minus three stories, is home to the Tahoma Indian Center.

Status: upper three floors never replaced
Potential square footage: 11,700

Bradley Block building, 701-03 Pacific Avenue

This old building (1890) has been home to a hotel, apartments, and an architects office (Liddle & Jones). It currently houses Suite133 and Capers. However, the upper floor has been vacant for a few decades. On a recent tour, layers of wallpaper and paint revealed the fashions of the early 20th Century.

Status: entire upper floor vacant
Potential square footage: 2,625

The Rock Pizza building, 1918-1926 Jefferson Avenue

Here’s another building that used to be taller. Sad.
Status: missing upper floors never replaced
Potential square footage: 6,700

Lincolnshire Hotel, 901-907 Pacific Avenue

The building on this corner at 9th and Pacific has only a few retail shops occupied. The upper floors have sat vacant for years. This property was mentioned as part of a redevelopment proposal to house a new Russell Investment headquarters.
Status: entire upper floor vacant
Potential square footage: 10,000

This by no means is a complete list of buildings with underutilized or missing upper floors. The intent of this article is meant to illustrate that sizable opportunities exist today all around us. By increasing the intensity of use in our existing assets we can place greater pressure on developing properties such as surface parking lots to create more walkable and sustainable neighborhoods.

Archive photos: Tacoma Public Library

Sun: How did you vote (on the term limit resolution) and how did you arrive at your decision?
Lonergan: I voted against placing the extension of City Council term limits on the ballot. I did so because NO citizen came forward asking me to allow them to vote on this matter, and many told me they did not wish to spend tax money to put it on the ballot. While serving on the Appointments Committee, I noted that we had a dozen applicants to write the Voters’ Pamphlet statement against this proposition, and only one person applied to write the “pro” statement.

Sun: What are the advantages/disadvantages you see in repealing term limits?
Lonergan: Although it is possible to unseat an incumbent to win election to the City Council (I did it in 2001), it is difficult. Two terms is the limit for President of the United States, and it’s good enough for me.

Sun: Has your view on repealing term limits changed since passing the resolution?
Lonergan: My views have not changed. The one change in the Charter we should consider is to separate the two terms on the Council (actually 10 years, to allow for those appointed to fill out an unexpired term) from the two terms as Mayor. The Council is a possible place to look for potential Mayor, just as the U.S. Senate is a possible place to look for a President. So one should be able to run for Mayor after serving two terms on the Council.

All on the council were sent questionnaires. Only Mayor Baarsma and Councilman Lonergan responded.

See related story: Mayor Bill Baarsma Shares Thoughts on Term Limits

I voted no. The reason is that major charter changes should go through a formal review process as provided for in the charter. During the review, there are extensive public hearings conducted by a citizens committee. The committee reports back to the council as to its recommendations pro and con. The council can then place measures on the ballot with proper vetting. This measure had no public hearing and will cost taxpayers between $100-130,000 to be placed on the ballot as a special measure for Tacoma only. It has been over 50 years since substantive charter amendments have been placed on the ballot without a formal review process. Is this the way we should be amending our city “constitution” — I think not. Instead, this proposal should have been placed on the ballot in 2004 with the other proposed measures that came from the charter review committee. It could have been debated properly and appropriately. By the way, I was on the 1973 charter review commission that first proposed term limits. I voted against it then and I am not keen on the idea today. But, the proper procedures were not followed, in my view. When they are not, measures of this kind strike the appearance of being self serving. I am voting no for those reasons.

Mike Lonergan, candidate for Pierce County Executive

Editors Note: Below is Mike Lonergan’s responses sent to him from the Tacoma Sun.  All of the candidates were sent questionnaires.  Candidates Goings and Lonergan responded.

1) Jail releases

The media has reported that the Pierce County Jail currently releases nearly all of the people who have been arrested in Pierce county into downtown Tacoma even if they are arrested in Orting or a remote area of the county. Would you support a plan which would transport some or all of the jail releasees to the places where they were arrested or where they live when their sentence ends?

Answer: Yes, and in fact I have discussed this in my capacity as vice chair of Tacoma’s Public Safety & Human Services Committee. A more basic reform is to eliminate the court backlog that is causing the Pierce County Jail to be filled to capacity, without room for newly arrested persons, who are frequently brought in from outlying communities, photographed and fingerprinted, then released into Tacoma. Again, we are working to end this practice, and as County Executive I will see that it is corrected.

2) Growth Management

Question: Over the last 30 years, Pierce County has been know for suburban sprawl which has caused the loss of farmland, pollution, traffic congestion and disinvestment in Tacoma.

If you are elected, how will you address the effects of sprawl and growth management in Pierce County? How would that plan be different, if at all, from what is in place now?

Answer: I serve as chair of the 4-county Growth Management Policy Board. We have recently completed “VISION 2040″ a detailed 100 page plan to steer growth to urban mixed use centers, which are well connected by roads and transit, and which offer ample live/work opportunities. Implementing the plan won’t be easy, but as County Executive I will see that the growth of Pierce County is more orderly and does not create more congestion and costly demand for new infrastructure.

3) Pierce County Felon “Dumping Ground” Issues

Q: As you know, Tacoma and Pierce County have a disproportionate number of released felons placed by the Department of Corrections as described in the Tacoma City Club report: 30 Years of DOC in Pierce County. Was It Worth It?

If elected, what do you plan to do, if anything to reduce the number of felons placed in Tacoma and Pierce County? Do you agree that Tacoma and Pierce County should have no more than their pro-rata share based on population? How can the concentration of felons be reduced to its pro-rata share?

Answer: I have been in the forefront of Fair Share ever since my days as chair of the New Tacoma Neighborhood Council, i will continue to have a strong voice on this subject as Pierce County Executive, insisting that Bellevue and Everett take on work release and other DOC programs before any more come here. I will continue to work closely with Prosecutor Gerry Home and Senator Mike Carroll as I have in the past, to protect our citizens.

4) Elks Temple

Question: A great many Tacomans would like to see the Elks Temple restored. There have been plans discussed to possibly turn part of the building into a transit station.

What is your position on this issue? What plan would you support?

Answer: As vice chair of the Pierce Transit board, I voted in favor of an investigation of this possibility. The developer most interested has elected not to proceed (as has happened with other proposed uses for the Elks building, which offers unique challenges. Pierce Transit is in the midst of an exciting strategic initiative, which has many ideas on the table in addition to this one. I will support the most effective use of resources to provide quality and customer-friendly mass transit connecting all parts of the county—with downtown Tacoma an important hub of course.

5) Rebuilding Tacoma

Despite the progress made, Tacoma still has a large number of vacant lots, and empty and blighted buildings relative to other west coast cities. What role can you and Pierce County take, if you are re-elected, to support the rebuilding of downtown Tacoma and Tacoma’s mixed use centers.

Answer: Of course it is taking years to correct a decline that was decades in the making, but I believe the progress made with my support during seven years on the City Council speaks for itself. For years, Pierce County was part of the problem, doing nothing with its property from 13^th to 15^th on Pacific, which is now the outstanding Rainier Pacific building. I will be a County Executive (moreso than any other candidate) who recognizes the critical importance of continuing progress in downtown Tacoma.

6) Arts and Community

Q: What artistic events in Tacoma do you enjoy and which ones have you attended?

Answer: I am a past president of Tacoma Little Theatre, and always enjoy their plays—as well as those at Tacoma Musical Playhouse, Pantages and Rialto (I am a member of Broadway Center for the Performing Arts). I never miss Ethnic Fest, have enjoyed First Night many times, attend Grand Cinema, and also like such neighborhood events as Art on the Ave and Proctor Art Fest, where I am a volunteer.

7) Restoring Tacoma’s Streetcars

Q: Many Tacomans support restoring Tacoma’s streetcar system. Gas prices are now at record levels. Pierce County plays a large role in transportation systems in Tacoma. Do you support restoring the streetcar network in Tacoma? What steps would be needed to be taken to make this happen?

Answer: This is also on my agenda as vice chair of Pierce Transit I have been instrumental in bringing the City Manager together with the Pierce Transit leadership, because I believe this is the only way to make a streetcar network happen. Our board is looking closely at all possibilities for high-capacity transit on key routes in Tacoma and beyond.

VIII) Pollution Issues in Tacoma

Question: The City of Tacoma is currently failing the pollution criteria set by the State of Washington. What role can Pierce County play to reduce pollution in the city limits of Tacoma?

Answer: The truth is that Tacoma and Pierce County have greatly reduced air pollution in the past decade—coming a long way from the old “Aroma of Tacoma.” The reason for our non-compliance in particulates is because the Federal standard was made more restrictive. Following recommendations of the Green Ribbon Task Force we will continue to take all reasonable steps such as converting vehicle fuels, shore power hookups for ships, reducing train idling and traffic congestion

9) Crime Reduction Proposal by City Manager Eric Anderson

Question: City Manager Eric Anderson has set a goal to reduce crime in Tacoma by 50 percent in 14 months. Given the predominant role Pierce County plays on the criminal justice system, what steps will you support the County government in taking so that the City of Tacoma can succeed?

Answer: Again, I have been instrumental in many crime reduction efforts leading toward this goal as vice chair of the Public Safety & Human Services Committee. My work has included eliminating homeless encampments, limiting panhandling, alcohol impact areas, Community

Based Services, former board member of Safe Streets, youth violence reduction, and improved hiring, training and equipping of Police. Pierce County citizens and deputies have asked me to replicate many of these Tacoma efforts County-wide.and I will. Further, my leadership in ending the jail backlog by working with the Superior Court judges and administrators will make police work more effective throughout the County.