All The World’s A Stage; As You Like It, ROA
ByLast month the Northwest Landing ROA proposed to the City of DuPont that a permanent stage be built at Clocktower Park. This permanent stage construction would be financed in full by the ROA. In essence, it would be given as a gift to the city of DuPont.
Some of the reasoning behind this gesture is that the ROA does not own suitable land to build this structure for them; the ROA does not want to bear the costs of storing the stage; and, the city and the ROA would share a mutual benefit of using the stage for events that require such a facility.
The council, almost as if by script, started wringing their infirmed hands at the thought of the cost to maintain this stage. They look to the rest of their eroding infrastructure (like the arbor at the same park) and wonder if it will actually turn into a liability.
Larry Ackerman of the ROA assured the council that the design will be as low maintenance as possible. All the ROA wants out of the deal is the occasional use of this stage when providing a seemingly less frequent event like a concert.
Win-win, right?
I am not so sure. I find it curious that, if given the opportunity, both parties would choose Clocktower Park. I imagine from the ROA perspective the Clocktower Park is a convenient legacy choice since it has hosted events for the past decade or more. Longer than the vast majority of townsfolk have called DuPont, Washington home. It simply has been done this way in the past so why change it?
The why, perhaps, is because DuPont has changed since the first event at Clocktower Park. But, before we get to those changes we first must ponder the nature of the ROA events in the first place. Would it be overly cynical to suggest that any event sponsored by the ROA is nothing more than a poorly veiled marketing ploy? I would say that in the beginning that was the case but over time it seems absurd that WRECO or Quadrant is still selling that “Planned Community” bullcrap.
Palisade Village was the brochure that sold the rest of the units in Edmond, Yehle, and Hoffman Hill. Any similarities are more coincidence than a plan. The narrow streets, the primarily alley access, and walkability, heck, even the pocket parks are pretty much out the window in the rest of town.
You will find streets festooned with the American Flag on the lamp posts only east of Center Drive. No flags adorn McNeil, Bob’s Hollow, or Hoffman Hill Boulevard. Why? Because it was always done that way. Besides, it looked nice in the real estate ads.
The people of Palisade Village may not realize it but they have been used as accessories to the ROA and the builders for years.
So let’s get back to the changes in DuPont since the first chord was struck in Clocktower Park. Aside from the obvious population growth in the four new villages, DuPont also has a fledgling, if not tenuous, business district. Two hotels with incredible occupancy rates due to our military benefactors. A new school and a recently remodeled school. A community park located as near the center of town as feasible. Oh, and who could forget our Civic (in name only) Center.
I think if you examine the proposal from someone outside of Palisade Village, the Clocktower Park holds little relevance.
Roger Westman brought up an interesting point when he inquired what the city classification was for Clocktower Park. According to the Parks Master Plan, it isn’t a community park. That distinction is held by Powderworks Park. In fact, by definition, Clocktower Park is just another neighborhood park.
Why is this important? Well, probably because the City of DuPont does a lousy job of respecting its own laws, codes, settlement agreements, and governing principles. They can barely figure out what their own plan states before they change it inadvertently or purposefully; or worse yet; they change it to accommodate some outside interest.
Peter Zahn attempted to explain away Councilmen Westman’s inquiry by stating, more or less, Clocktower Park was chosen because it has hosted events in the past that needed a stage. True, but the reason Clocktower Park hosted those events is because it was the only park in Northwest Landing for a long time.
Things change.
There are now many more Neighborhood Parks, as well as the Civic Center and our Community Park. Is there a real reason to benefit, or detract, from such a small subset of DuPont? The video mentions the deal was hatched by the ROA and they promptly engaged the city’s Public Works director for an ad hoc feasibility study. Where was the input of the City Administrator or Parks Department who may have raised Roger’s valid point earlier? Effectively, the ROA sought the information they desired to bolster their offer to the city council. Free is free, and that is certainly singing the council’s tune.
Well, I have another point of view. I think Clocktower Park is irrelevant to the current, larger and more populous DuPont. What is surprising is how quickly the council fell in line with the ROA’s wishes. No one seemed to bat an eye when Mr. Ackerman’s velvet glove slipped off briefly to reveal his iron fist when he stated that he would like to see the project completed by the Fourth of July or the money and offer could go away forever (3:57 mark of first video).
And if you act right now you will get a second pair of steak knives. All you pay is the shipping.
Not so fast. We have a plan in this town, Bub.
For a town that says it wants to attract visitors I find it odd that they would tuck such a resource further back into the neighborhood. On one hand, it would make sense to place it in Powderworks Park since it is centrally located with ample parking. It would also make even more sense placing it at the Civic Center so that utility of the name can live up to the space provided for citizens to gather.
Or, consider my personal favorite location of Ross Plaza. Didn’t we have a “branding effort” a few years back? Wouldn’t a concert located in our business district serve as a promotion to these establishments and be inviting for hotel guests and other visitors? Shouldn’t all of our marquee events take place in the “City Center” we claim it to be?
It is time to rethink our events and their venues. It is also time to rethink a gift that doesn’t benefit everyone. It is time to stop promoting a single village and it is time to start promoting all of DuPont.
Going back to Clocktower Park is so 1999.
I agree, why clock tower park? Even though I live in Palisade, it does not make sense for the rest of DuPont.
The bigger question in my mind: Where is the ROA getting all this extra cash? They spent a ton of money replacing fencing along center drive this year already – The fence that is being replaced looked ok to me – nearly 6 years younger than the fences in palisade village. And now a full court press to drop money quickly on a stage? Something appears foul in the ROA money management from what I see in these spending moves.
Maybe the ROA can provide a ladder truck to the fire department?
There is something stinky about that fence replacement too.
I also believe that Clocktower park is the best place fora permanent stage. Clocktower has the largest flat area where the town can gather for activities. All you have at Powderwork park are ball fields that are very exspensive to maintain and would certaily be torn up if the town held their yearly activites there. The 4th of July is a large gather for not only activities but picnic tables, food booths and areas specifically for children. You could not begin to fit all that into Powderworks park.
I agree. Time to expand your horizons, Council!
Idea proposed, presented, and approved all in one council meeting. That really stands out as odd. I would think the courtesy of a public notice to allow for review and comments from particularly those living around the park would be solicited. If I lived in that area, I would be pissed to at least not have been given a heads up on this. But I don’t, so those who do, enjoy the congestion and loud concerts.
I agree. It was an odd rubber stamping of building something on city property. What I found strange is how the ROA seemed to engage the Public Works Director and everyone else appeared to be in the dark. Then the deadline and threat of pulling the project. That is how the ROA is used to operating in DuPont. There is our council lapping up the crumbs.
This is a conversation that runs deeper than just building a stage and figuring out where to put it permanently. Since when did the ROA get into the business of event planning for the benefit of the businesses in town? The word means RESIDENTIAL OWNERS ASSOCIATION. As someone who pays ROA dues, I think there need to be serious justification on why any $$ would be spent on any event or construction of a venue if the purpose is to bring in tourists. Isn’t that the job of the Tourism Board and the DBA? Lets be honest: the 4th of July events brings in more people than just residents. OWLOM brings in people who live outside of DuPont. Both events in the past have required a stage. And they have always been held at Clock Tower. The line of needs vs. wants is getting blurred.
Isn’t it the history of the ROA to hold events to market Northwest Landing as a whole? This dates back to the feeble city government over 10 years ago. It seems out of date and out of place now, I agree. I also wondered why the DBA would not want in on this idea since they appear poised to reap a benefit from more visitors in town.
Well said! It’s time for the ROA to just concentrate on common area upkeep and maintenance as well as ROA code enforcement and dump the extracirucular activities. Besides, the City could really use the extra help right now with landscaping duties as the budget well runs dry.
Right on!
So, maybe the ROA paying folks should contact the ROA and tell them how they should spend ROA money? And it’s not on events, but assisting the City with their lawn care costs? I think this is a real issue. Priorities folks. I don’t mind chipping in for July 4th, but anything else, forget about it. Movie in the Park, Day trips to Seattle, Tacoma Concert Band, it’s time to move on and spend our money more wisely. Basic services for our community first.
You would think that in these times it would be back to basics yet the ROA is serving up leftovers from the same tired recipe.
Clever title
Keep in mind that the ROA Board of Dictators that approve this, is the out going Quadrant Team of Dictators. Quadrant Spending DuPont’s Citizen ROA dues as they like to support the Quadrant Business Plan.
I belive the current ROA board was recently elected by the citizens of DuPont, not Quadrant appointed.
Yes, and we know how elections go in an apathetic town with a large military transient community. You are correct that they were elected. Too bad there is not more questioning of both city hall and the ROA. The simple truth is people in DuPont do not care until it affects them in an obvious way.
The ROA is here to keep the property values high while the houses were sold. I fear the whole creation will crumble when Quadrant finishes their home sales within the next 12 months.
I would trade all this so called entertainment for a functioning fire department.
Anybody know why the Planning Agency was not included in the process?
Because any of the city agencies are just there for show. The city never really cared what they had to say. It is the illusion of participation.
For the most part alot of you are incredably harsh on the city council. There are several council members that take their job seriously and try to get things done. Don’t let a few ruin the stew. All the complainers need to attend the council meetings, voice their concerns and keep on the council members until things are done, don’t just complain. That solves nothing.
Are you out of your mind? Some of us have attended meetings and still have no result. Even the “few” councilmembers who take things seriously are off doing their little pet projects. They should be judged on results and their results are zero, hence the harsh judgement. Their record speaks for itself.
I understand what you are saying. You have to be persistent, look at Steve and what he has accomplished. You can’t let the council get away with it. Keep on their backs, go to meetings, send emails, send letters, there are many ways to get their attention and make them do their jobs.
I agree with both of you. It shouldn’t be personal. It is about maintaining the interests of the city as a whole. But even the good council members can’t hide from their record. In theory it might seem like a good thing to go to a council meeting the reality is that you get three minutes to speak before they “maybe” put your concern on a list and then that item seems to be forgotten forever.
That’s what I’m trying to say. You can’t let them forget your cause. Bombard them with emails, calls, letters, they will listen> Sit down with the Mayor as well, tell her you are not letting go until something is done. I will guarantee they will listen!!
Even after one does all of what you say to do Concerned. Only those that live in Palisade Village or Historic DuPont get any results from the Mayor, C.A. and the C.C. The tracking sheet, and the results of the city; prove and support this statement.
The tracking sheet the city has is a joke. This website is my tracking sheet.
I’ll Drink to that!