Renaming Pacific Plaza - what would you do?

A discussion that came up yesterday brought to my attention the consideration by the city council on Aug. 22 to rename Pacific Plaza. To what, you might ask? Harold M. Tollefson Square. In last May's public spaces meeting (but not in their final report) the idea of holding a renaming contest came up and I think it's a great one. It would get folks involved and help paint a more public picture of this public space. A council action to rename the plaza without wider (a.k.a. outside the council meeting forum) participation seems shallow and I think our city can do better. Although I don't care for how the suggested name rolls off the tongue in casual conversation, I'd far prefer having a list of choices to consider.

What do you think? Who's in favor of holding a contest to rename Pacific Plaza?

Link to the pending city council agenda for Aug. 22
The contact for agenda item 11013 is Reuben McKnight at 253-591-5220 or reuben.mcknight@cityoftacoma.org

I've already emailed Mr. McKnight to find out how I might bring a renaming contest before consideration of the council. Any support you can lend, even if it's just a comment below, would be much appreciated.

Comments (8) | To Top

8/5/2006 @ 9:25am

I'm behind you, Kevin! I've emailed Mr. McKnight and told him of my own concerns and suggestions. Steve is going to mention it to his active-in-city-matters boss and we plan to go to the meeting on the 22nd. Down with Tollefson! (no offense)

by Angela

8/5/2006 @ 9:39am

Square v. Plaza

The theory was (or is) to make the area seem like a public place, ie Pioneer Square. Plaza was perceived to be more of a private area off of a building.

On the other hand, plaza is defined as "Public square in the center of town, site of traditional evening paseo or ``promenade.''"

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&defl=en&q=define:plaza&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title

I do understand that Pacific Plaza seems generic. However, it is descriptive as it is on Pacific Avenue and it is easy to say and write.

Given that Tacomans want the area to be found by visitors, these are important factors I would think.

Perhaps KevinFreitas, exit 133 and other Tacoma blog readers should get involved and have a naming contest.

This is an action that blogs are particulary designed for. We still have 17 days to come up with a name for the area.

Perhaps in the end we will have dozens of names thrown out only to return with a large majority supporting Harold M. Tollefson Square.

Whatever it is, we are all likely going to saying the name of the plaza for years to come and explaining and spelling the name to others visiting Tacoma.

Blog Naming Contest?

We could have two stages for this:

First, brain storming by everyone to come up with possible names.

Second, we could have some kind of online voting after the more popular picks were selected.

Anyone interested?

by Erik

8/5/2006 @ 10:03am

Exit 133 and Kevin should have a naming contest:

1) Brain storm from all blog readers on possible names.

2) conduct email or online voting

3) present to city council

Blogs are designed very well for this sort of task. We are all going to be stuck with the name for years to come and describing the area to friends and relatives.

Who knows, perhaps in the end we will all agree that Harold M. Tollefson Square is the best possible new name for Pacific Plaza. But then again.

8/5/2006 @ 10:04am

Sorry for the repeat posts, my computer is having problems of some sort. I think it occurs when I do not include my email.

8/5/2006 @ 10:28am

Here's a bit from Dan Voelpel at the News Tribune dated June 6, 2006:

Tollefson Plaza? No way

Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma wants to name that new sterile downtown space known as Pacific Plaza in memory of former Tacoma Mayor Harold M. Tollefson.

Who’s Tollefson? An attorney popular enough to get elected mayor three times in the 1950s and ’60s. Most notably Tolleffson helped write the charter that changed Tacoma’s government from a mayor-commission to council-manager form.

With all due respect to the large Tollefson clan, this new civic space at South 17th Street deserves a name that belongs to the new Tacoma, the people of Tacoma. Pacific Plaza fits. Tollefson Plaza doesn’t.

by KevinFreitas

8/5/2006 @ 11:00am

I am interested to see what everyone comes up with in the next couple of weeks. I am hoping that perhaps someone will come up with zinger name for the area.

With that said, I can't seem to beat the name Pacific Plaza right off. I liked the name as soon as I heard it.

It sounded modern, easy to pronounce and geographically descriptive.

Pacific Avenue is the main thoroughfare of Tacoma which is the starting reference I give anyone in giving directions.

I want to emphasize that the city council has not voted on the measure yet. They are looking for public input. If regular Tacomans have the same concerns about the name, they likely do too.

8/14/2006 @ 8:29am

Why don't we hold a public brainstorming session in THE PLAZA? Maybe with a bunch of easels and stiky pads, or even chalk, make it fun! Involve everyone. I think if it truly is a "Public" space, the public should name it. Pacific Plaza has been sticking with me so far.

by Patricia Lecy-Davis

8/14/2006 @ 10:26am

Patricia: That sounds like a great idea. It's kinda' sad the city can't come up with ideas like this to get people involved. We could almost have a kind of naming wall where people jotted down what they'd call it.

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