A Glimmer of Hope
The Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce sent out a notice of some visitors from the A.I.A. who will be in town early this week. Let’s hope their visit speaks of good things to come.
Here’s the email notice of a meeting to be held on Monday, March 16th: “Mike Gentry and Nathan West introduce the team of multidisciplinary experts from American Institute of Architects who are in Port Angeles to provide an “outside eye” assessment of the City’s gateways: First and Front Street corridors, and the Central Business District. The assessment will focus on beautification and revitalization in terms of economic, environmental, and social priorities. This information will have a great deal of impact regarding how we look in the future.”
We have untapped waterfront, mountain and national park gateways that are the envy of cities near and far. Why do we seem to have our heads buried in the sand while the world literally “passes us by”?
With alpine meadows, snow-capped mountains and one of the best natural ports anywhere, why couldn’t we have the “Leavenworth” appeal right here in Port Angeles. Here’s a note from their website: “The story of Leavenworth is a testament to the determination of the human spirit. The odds of a dying timber and rail town successfully converting itself into an alpine Bavarian village are pretty slim. Nonetheless, the townspeople of Leavenworth found a way to do it.”
We know what we need to do, so why can’t we find a way? There should be no need to beg and plead to keep the city’s swimming pool open if our priorities are where they should be. Tourist dollars and the resulting tax revenues could revitalize our city.
I’m glad we have a “team of multidisciplinary experts” coming, and I hope for the best. But how many decades have we been having “experts” come to Port Angeles, and yet our waterfront is . . . let’s finally admit it publicly . . . a disaster. Do you know how many people from outside our area have told me that without any solicitation? Many since 1994. People get off the Ferry in P.A. and look around thinking, “My God, what happened?” Good question. Well let’s all hope this new “team of multidisciplinary experts” will finally solve our downtown and waterfront chaos.