Follow-up: Winthrop and the Wall

Just want to help make sure a couple important issues in the progress of downtown Tacoma stay on people's radar. More is sure to arise in the coming weeks about the Winthrop and the WSHS donor wall but here's what's up now.

Winthrop Hotel
Todd Matthew's put out an article about the low-income housing prospects that may come from a 4-star Winthrop Hotel. His article comes mostly from the refreshing perspective of Winthrop residents but talks about the general optimism among local affordable housing organizations at Quigg and Trabucco's plan.

Link to the Tacoma Daily Index

What about the wall?
I have a feeling that after WSHS Director Nicandri's flagrant remarks when this story first broke he's hoping no one is still paying any attention. The debate even got a bit too heated (especially after RR Anderson's quality Photoshop work) over at Exit133 such that commenting relating to the wall was shut off. Well, first of all, if you have any updated info or would like to express your opinions please feel free to do so in the comments here on this site. Comments are always open for business here whether a day or year after I post something -- whenever it comes to mind feel free to post away. I've also got an email in to council member Anderson to get a progress update. No work has progressed on the wall but I'm always a bit uneasy when things get so quiet so fast. More to come.

Comments (5) | To Top

10/12/2006 @ 2:27pm

It is sad to see the comments shut off. I quite enjoyed seeing advocates of the wall hang themselves with their own absurd thoughts. Isn't that what transparent debate is all about? We of Holistic Forge Works say: Yes Please!

by RR Anderson

10/12/2006 @ 3:57pm

Todd at the Tacoma Daily index is also having a photo tour of the Winthop which he is showing off on the Index site over the next week.

Apparently, he was able to get inside the Winthrop Hotel during a tour and take alot of pictures. The one he has there today is from the top floor penthouse. Very nice. Todd is putting out one after another in depth Winthrop Hotel articles.

As for the Wall

It has now been a couple of weeks since the stop work order was issued against the wall.

The council is likely addressing the issue in "executive session" which is not open to the public or many city employees for that matter.

Because the stop work order has been in place this long, it is very likely that a majority of the council does not like the idea of a brick wall at the end of the Bridge of Glass and are trying to get a better result for us, otherwise, they would have let the brick wall be built.

For the staff and the city council members working for direct pedestrian access: Kudos!

by Erik

10/12/2006 @ 4:13pm

Looks like one can see the inside of the Winthrop Hotel and go to the closing ceremony for the Tacoma Film Festival at the same time:

Closing Awards Ceremony - Thursday, October 12

You've seen the films and voted for your favorite. Now find out who won! Enjoy live music, great food and drink at the Winthrop's swanky Crystal Ballroom. Watch highlights from the festival and talk to your favorite filmmakers one more time.
7 pm – 10 pm

10/12/2006 @ 6:53pm

Thanks for the info, Erik. It'll be interesting to see what comes of an "executive session". Let's just hope the council genuinely listened to the voices that weighed in about blocking pedestrian access in a crucial part of downtown.

And, Mr. Anderson, transparency is always in season here.

Cheers all!

by KevinFreitas

10/14/2006 @ 11:43am

Look at today's TNT. The museum now wants to put up a glass wall in front of the entrance to the bridge of glass.

I guess we now know this was never about the donor wall but primarily about the attempt to re-route pedestrian traffic from the would be visitors to the bridge of glass.

The city should continue to work to exercise their easement. A glass wall is as hard to walk around as brick one.

How frusterating. Now everyone might get a chance to look to where they want to go but are barred from doing so.
----
Glass might solve wall dispute
Tacoma officials review museum’s proposal to end controversy

JASON HAGEY; The News Tribune
Published: October 14th, 2006 01:00 AM

The Washington State History Museum is proposing to add a glass panel to the controversial wall it hopes to build as part of a pocket park along Pacific Avenue in Tacoma.
City officials, who have met twice with museum officials since the city issued a stop-work order on the wall, are reviewing the proposed modification but have not formally responded, said Charlie Solverson of the city’s Public Works Department.

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