City Council takes on the bridge lights (update 1)

Tomorrow night there's a couple issues on the ol' City Council agenda of interest. First is those Narrows Bridge Lights. The group is seeking a resolution with no monetary commitment from the City of Tacoma. From this resolution will come yet another endorsement for what is a great chance to lift up some great structures to icon status. I'll be there to voice my perspective.

There's also the first reading of an ordinance to allow for red light cameras in Tacoma. Nothing will be decided on this tonight but it's an interesting issue bordering on the "big brother" fears in us all. The council is set to authorize up to $7 million in spending for these eyes on the street. Want red light cameras for safety? Don't want them because everyone makes mistakes now and then? Drop by and let the council know what you think.

A loan is also on the docket for the dock area -- where's the Balfour Dock Wharf? I'm not big on the knowledge of landmark names down on the Foss. Anyway, money to revitalize the waterfront. Yay waterfront!

Link to the Tacoma City Council info

Update (2007-04-09 @ 10:15pm)
KFnet friend Brooks clued us in to the following links re: the Balfour Dock. Thanks Brooks!

FWDA seeks funding to shore up wharf, Tacoma Weekly
Tacoma Illustrated

Update (2007-04-10 @ 8:54pm)
Thanks to the council for passing their resolution of support for lighting the Narrows Bridges. I can't wait to see the day when both bridges are lit up with power efficient and flexible LEDs supplanted by solar to offset energy costs and possibly even tolls. We got some great comments from various council members and look forward to working with them in the future.

Looks like red light camera will be coming starting first at two intersections with two cameras each. Sounds like big things are expected for revenue from these cams weighing in at an estimated $14,000 of money in the City's bank each month per camera. Yea, dang. Hopefully the court and processing fees won't gobble all that up and hopefully I won't end up like Councilmember Ladenburg mentioning an infraction at a similar automated system out on 84th.

Comments (5) | To Top

4/9/2007 @ 9:57pm

Balfour Dock appears to near the mouth of the Thea Foss Waterway, near the end of Dock Street.

The Tacoma Weekly has an article about it here:

http://www.tacomaweekly.com/article/435/1

by Brooks

4/9/2007 @ 11:49pm

Support the lighting of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Vote yes! It would be great to see alot of people show up to lend their support.

As for the cameras, there is no expectation of privacy on a public roadway. Heck Kevin, you have a web cam continually viewing the road in front of your house! :)

by Erik

4/10/2007 @ 7:04am

Aye, 'tis true. I do like me some surveillance. ;) Actually it's mostly to watch the weather. I'm not tremendously opposed to red light cameras but only if some kind of human discretion is used. Should a ticket be issued to repeat offenders and warnings to someone the first couple times it happens? Might not be a bad idea.

by KevinFreitas

4/10/2007 @ 7:49am

I'd much rather the seven million spent elsewhere. I think this city has more issues than people pushing through a yellow light.

by Angela

4/11/2007 @ 4:40pm

Last night, the Tacoma City Council supported and passed a resolution to light up the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Can't wait to see how it will look.

Great news!

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