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Fri. August 4, 2006, 12:57pm PDT
One improvement at a time: bus stop cover
In light of the recent report about public spaces downtown it's great to see some incremental progress being made. Today's example: there's a new bus stop cover at Pacific Plaza. I know it's a pretty minor addition but not to the people that frequent the stop and use the local public transit system. It's a nice looking cover with a shiny steel frame and clear glass or plexi for the top and sides.
It should be fun to see more interest and texture created in and around the plaza and hope we'll see some of those benches and planters that were talked about in the aforementioned report soon. My only concern with this latest addition is that it'll be only a matter of days before someone decides to tag those nice clear panels with a knife or their keys. My recommendation: frost those puppies so any marring markings won't have such an impact. Aside from that, welcome to Tacoma little bus stop cover!
Comments (16) | To Top
8/4/2006 @ 3:42pm
Yeah, I just saw that yesterday.
Very cute. Can't wait till the sushi place opens up above the Plaza (or should I start using the term Pacific Square?)
by Erik
8/4/2006 @ 4:08pm
I couldn't agree more about the sushi. My wife and I will be thrilled!
I'm kinda' partial to "Pacific Plaza" only because "Pacific Square" doesn't really reflect the true shape and "Pacific Triangle" just sounds funny. Maybe "Prairie Line Place" or something similar would work?
by KevinFreitas
8/4/2006 @ 6:02pm
""Pacific Triangle" just sounds funny."
True.
That would make it sound like the Bermuda Triangle.
http://www.bermuda-triangle.org/
Seriously now, the Tacoma City Council is considering renaming Pacific Plaza to "Harold M. Tollefson Square" on 8/22/2006.
http://www.ci.tacoma.wa.us/cityclerk/files/citycouncil/pendings/2006/Pd082206.pdf
Good name? Is there a better name?
I am torn a bit. Pacific Plaza does sound a bit generic. However, at least it identifies the place somewhat.
by Erik
8/4/2006 @ 6:04pm
The Tacoma City Council is considering renaming the Plaza to "Harold M. Tollefson Square" on 8/22/2006.
http://www.ci.tacoma.wa.us/cityclerk/files/citycouncil/pendings/2006/Pd082206.pdf
Good name? Is there one better?
by Erik
8/4/2006 @ 6:04pm
The Tacoma City Cpuncil is considering renaming the Plaza to "Harold M. Tollefson Square" on 8/22/2006.
Good name? Is there one better?
by Erik
8/4/2006 @ 6:32pm
Funny, when I first saw your photo, I assumed it had to be a street car (rather than bus) stop. Maybe soon?
by Kristy
8/5/2006 @ 12:42am
From City Council Agenda"
"The Landmarks Preservtion Commission recommends that the words "Pacific Plaza" be removed fom the name, in favor of the term "Square", which best reflects the civic function of the public space."
Hey Bob where you eating lunch today? Why Tim I am heading down to Harold M. Tollefson (not so square) Square.
Doesn't sound inviting. Keep it Pacific Plaza!
by Jake
8/5/2006 @ 8:06am
Erik: Thanks for the info there. I do not think Harold M. Tollefson Square is a good name at all. It's far to long and doesn't, as Jake pointed out, roll off the tongue. It's got to be a meaningful yet brief name that people can pronounce. "Tollefson" is way too, I hate to say it, foreign sounding for a good ol' American gathering place. The proposed name also doesn't shorten to anything easier to say: Harold Square? Tollefson Square -- not bad but still too mouthy.
Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland can be reduced to Pioneer Square. Even Pacific Plaza can be made Pac Plaza. Or Prairie Line Plaza.
At the public spaces meeting in May the idea came up that a contest should be held to name Pacific Plaza. I'm very in favor of this as a way for the community to help lend their identity to the space and activate it in their minds as an open place that's accessible to all. Harold M. Tollefson Square doesn't do this and is a unilateral way for the city to exclude people from this process.
I will soon be contacting Reuben McKnight to discuss what I can do to help implement a public contest rather than swift renaming and will let everyone know what it may take. Who's with me?
by KevinFreitas
8/5/2006 @ 8:42am
Just posted an entry about renaming Pacific Plaza: http://www.kevinfreitas.net/journal/renaming-pacific-plaza/ Let's continue our discussion there!
by KevinFreitas
8/5/2006 @ 8:47am
I'm with you Kevin! No offense to Mr. Tollefson but as others have pointed out it does not roll off the tongue. Nor does it sound like a fun, happening place to be. I absolutely agree that a naming contest is a great idea, not only because I don't like the name the city is proposing, but I think it is a great way to make the citizens aware of the new space, to make them consider it, remember it, care about it! I like "Pacific Plaza". It may not be the snazziest name ever but it tells you where and what it is and is quick and easy to say. You would expect for art shows and events to take place on a space named such. Harold M. Tollefson Square sounds like a patch of concrete with a bench squeezed in next to a courthouse. I say they name it Pacific Plaza and just set up a plaque or monument somewhere that tells us about Mr. Tollefson (the first mayor? an influential mayor? I know they told us at the meeting but I can't recall. This is another reason the name doesn't work - most people don't know who he is so why would they want to hang out in his space?). After all the money they have spent on what we've gotten so far I think it's time for the people to have a say.
by Angela
8/5/2006 @ 8:50am
Oh, and one more thing...IT'S NOT SQUARE!
by Angela
8/5/2006 @ 9:27am
A compromise maybe? Tollefson Triangle?
by Angela
8/5/2006 @ 9:59am
Ok, try these:
1. Convention Center Plaza?
2) Pacific Square?
3) Tacoma Plaza? (getting somewhere here)
Hmmm. This is hard.
4) Tacoma Art Plaza?
5) Renaissance Plaza?
6) Market Square?
by Erik
8/7/2006 @ 10:18am
I like the sound of Pacific Plaza. I know Seattle already has one, but it's such a generic name that I'm sure lots of cities have used it before.
by Roxy
8/23/2006 @ 10:23am
Perhaps the name Tollefson name would be more appropriately used as the name for the new city hall building or campus?
He made his mark as the mayor and maybe this is a more appropriate place. Similar to naming a basketball court after a deserving coach? ie Rupp Arena
by Ben
7/17/2007 @ 3:10pm
would like to purchase the Tacoma lillte bus cover. Would like to get prices and sizes Thank You, Yuri Santiago
by Yuri Santiago