New Beach for Port Angeles?
This was one of the ideas proposed by the City Council at yesterday's discussion of Waterfront Trail Improvements.
The beach would be east of the Valley Creek Estuary, along the shore between Oak Street and the estuary.
The beach would be east of the Valley Creek Estuary, along the shore between Oak Street and the estuary.
posted by Tom Harper at 4:14 PM
40 Comments:
great :(
Yeah, Hollywood Beach gets SO crowded, so often, I just can't EVER find a place to lay out my beach blanket. What a great idea!
With that new beach, I'll get a better view of the operations at the next door mills. But, I may have to turn up my boom box, so I can hear it, over the noise of the machinery there.
Don Perry thinks it is a great idea, too. So, what is left to say?
I’m okay with it being some kind of a beach or park like area over having other things on it. But I’m not okay with pissing away a lot of the peoples money on it just to try to attract some fucking tourists. Just clean it up a bit and let nature do her thing with it.
These idiots just don’t get the tourists coming through this area, they are not interested in the monkeys beautification crap, they (generally speaking) are interested in natural settings. I meet many of them out there on unattended to beaches where the damn money mongers haven’t been messing with things and making things their idea of pretty attractions.
Do a survey of all the folks on the spit and Hollywood beach and in and near town trails and I think that you will find that well over ninety percent of them are locals, that are not going to be spending one damn cent more here than they already are.
While doing such survey ask them if they would like to be able to buy a tourist hunting permit because they don’t give a crap if they are here or not, it’s costing them to damn much to try to get them here. And don’t tell me that locals don’t have to help pay for that nonsense, we get hotel rooms here also for varying reasons so we have to pay that extra tax also. I want a fucking exemption when I get a hotel room for myself or visitors when I’m paying for their room.
Every goddamn place that is a tourist attraction in this county costs more to live in because in spite of the bullshit hype by the idiots that spew it the locals end up having to help pay for a lot of the crap that attracts them.
The only assholes making any money off of all of it is the capitalists that work that angle, while they con everyone else into supporting it all.
Fuck you, spend your own money to get them here.
Please don't use the "F" word. Really not necessary at all. Thanks.
Why would any vacationer consider Hawaii, CanCun, or any other of the fabulous beaches around the world, when they could spend their vacation dollars on the newly constructed "beach" off Railroad Ave, in Port Angeles?
Why think about exotic drinks served on beach side Jalapas while you are wearing scanty bathing suits, soaking up the warmth of the tropical sun.. when Port Angeles offers a few hundred feet of manufactured "beach" where you can sit wrapped up in heavy clothing to protect yourself against the gale force winds, blowing across waters that are so cold, they can kill you.. so that you can soak in the ambiance of the nearby waterfront industry?
YES! I think this is a GREAT idea! How much money is there, that we can throw at this proposal?
Ummm- Isn't most of the area lying upland of the proposed "beach" now in private ownership? The Port declared it "surplus" several years ago in order to sell it to the now-defunct hotel developer, Randall Ehm.
If the public pays for developing an attractive beach along the short public waterfront strip, it seems that this will mostly benefit only the private party who now owns the Oak Street property. Voila! The parcel becomes much more attractive and marketable beach-front property.
This sounds like a repeat of a pattern that unfortunately is so typical here: Port Angeles officials dreaming up ways to use public money to enrich a select few.
"Isn't most of the area lying upland of the proposed "beach" now in private ownership?"
I believe the beach is DNR land. The property you're thinking of cuts off well before that.
And let's not even get into THAT fiasco.
I actually am in favor of this whole thing.
If Port Angeles really wants to be a tourist town, then it needs to look at things through tourists eyes. For example, the ferry terminal is a key entry/exit point for tourists. What's around there? There are a few bright spots, but Railroad Ave is a broken road, there's empty lots around, signs are confusing, the ferry terminal looks run down and traffic spills out onto the street. First impressions matter.
The whole waterfront renovation projects at least addresses these concerns. Looks like they're working on wayfinding signs, completely overhauling the terminal, and making Railroad Ave look all nice and touristy. Which, again, if we want to be a tourist town, that's a necessary first step that should have happened years ago.
I should quantify my comment. I mean, I'm in favor of this IF Port Angeles is determined to be a tourist town and IF the town isn't really dying a slow death.
But if nothing else, it'd fix up Railroad Ave. That road is hell to drive on.
"Anonymous said...
I should quantify my comment. I mean, I'm in favor of this IF Port Angeles is determined to be a tourist town and IF the town isn't really dying a slow death."
Lipstick on a pig!
Really, go down to Railroad Ave, and look around. Stand there, and soak in the realities.
And, as the world community talks about, legislates, and changes their behaviors to address climate change, is it REALLY smart to think about relying on people traveling long distances as the salvation of Port Angeles?
Lip stick on a Pig?
Anon 5:56 said "Lip stick on a Pig?"
They sure look purtier that way!
"Anonymous said...
Lip stick on a Pig?"
Yeah!
The idea that we can build a "beach" down in an industrial area, and by doing so, somehow all the other ugly and negative attributes that can be seen from that spot magically disappear, is just plain stupid.
As was said: "You can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still just a pig".
Until a LOT of things change in a big way, Port Angeles is absolutely a "Pig". It is seen that way by most of the "powers that be"; not pretty, but utilitarian.
Until a LOT of things change in a big way, Port Angeles is absolutely a "Pig"
Agreed...but think about this - at $778,000 for this "beach", we could have had 15 or 20 such projects (all over town) for the price of the Gateway bus stop.
The only thing that really needs to change is the priorities of the city council.
And so, since the city is ugly, we should not only not do anything that might improve its appearance, but should indeed revel in our hideousness and just give up? Is that what all you "lipstick on a pig" people favor? Just trying to understand.
"Until a LOT of things change in a big way, Port Angeles is absolutely a "Pig". It is seen that way by most of the "powers that be"; not pretty, but utilitarian."
Eat pork!
"And so, since the city is ugly, we should not only not do anything that might improve its appearance, but should indeed revel in our hideousness and just give up? Is that what all you "lipstick on a pig" people favor? Just trying to understand."
It is one thing to "give up" on all efforts to create a sustainable community, it is an entirely other thing to stop doing obviously stupid things in poorly thought out actions hoping that the fragmented, disjointed effort will magically change things.
Port Angeles has been doing stupid things, hoping for great results, for quite a few years now. Are you tired of all the wasted time and money, yet?
Want to try for real success?
Today, the BIG NAIL in the coffin that is "Downtown Business in Port Angeles" was driven.
Anyone who drove by the new WalMart that just opened on the east side of town saw its' huge parking lot jam packed full.
All other parking lots in Port Angeles were proportionately empty.
I stopped by a few stores in town, and the comments from employees/owners were universal: "We're worried". As they should be, as history has shown how Walmart drives small local businesses out of business.
So, if "shopping" has moved from downtown Port Angeles to the east side, what will/can "downtown" Port Angeles be?
Good. Local businesses SHOULD be worried.
They were worried back when Walmart first opened here, with more cause then. Downtown businesses had high prices and their service, to be nice, sucked. So they got worried, some went out of business, others adapted. I recently went into a store that I would not set foot in for over a decade and it was actually not a bad experience. I didn't leave wanting to go online and never deal with a crabby sales rep again.
The point is, it wasn't Walmart that made me stop going in there. It was the business itself. And their attitude cost them my business for over 10 years. Businesses might want to think about that instead of conveniently blaming Walmart.
And you know what? Downtown isn't empty. Yeah, there are empty spots, but it's not the economic wasteland that was predicted when the first Walmart opened. I think downtown will be fine, with all its pawn shops and tourist trinkets and clothing boutiques. And Walmart will be fine too. It's the rest of us I worry about.
It is absolutely PATHETIC that over 300 people stood outside in lousy weather waiting for this local economy killer to open. It is even more PATHETIC that a bunch of local politicians showed up to help "celebrate" this impending disaster.
Here's a simple scenario for all you Wal-Mart boosters out there: This new, bigger store opens, providing a few part-time, minimum wage jobs. Shortsighted shoppers seeking "bargains" swarm there - at the expense of local businesses. Many of those locally owned businesses eventually go under - laying off many locals in the process. This means local spending, even at Wal-Mart, goes DOWN in the long haul. And so, a few years down the road, maybe Wal-Mart isn't meeting their corporate profit goals, so they decide to simply pull out. Leaving us with fewer local businesses, fewer local jobs, and a one huge empty building on the outskirts of town.
And don't say it can't happen here. It's happened in DOZENS of towns across the country. You see, Wal-Mart doesn't care. They have no actual ties to the local community, no loyalty. Hell, they don't even care about being loyal to America.
Finally, let's think about why the supposed "low" prices at Wal-Mart are so important. Could it be because they've help lead the charge that has moved manufacturing jobs out of this country? Could it be because they've helped keep out unions and kept wages down?
With friends like these, who needs enemies?
If local business did not gouge their customers and treat them like shit, they would not have anything to worry about.
"Could it be because they've helped keep out unions and kept wages down?"
I heard an interesting factoid yesterday. The discussion was about the bail-outs given the auto companies, and various related issues.
I remember, when the bail-outs were being contemplated, that the high cost of labor was a primary problem most loudly cited, and how the unions would have to "make concessions". Of course, we all remember WHO was saying this!
So, the primary analyst for the auto industry was talking, and saying.. No, that labor costs only account for 7% of the production costs. And that it was massive administrative mismanagement that caused the financial problems.
Hmmm.
OOOOOO...butt floss bikinis!!
"It is absolutely PATHETIC that over 300 people stood outside in lousy weather waiting for this local economy killer to open. It is even more PATHETIC that a bunch of local politicians showed up to help "celebrate" this impending disaster."
No kidding!
I talked with one employer in a Port Angeles store who said their business was down 35% yesterday. They said they will not be able to survive long, if this keeps up.
So, the new "superstore" employs 30 more people than the old Wallyworld. Great. But when all the other people in Port Angeles get laid off as a result of this new store, will there BE an increase in local employment, or an overall LOSS? The one store I talked to paid union wages, medical benefits, and has been a long-time Port Angeles business.
We'll see. Like it or not.
Bravo, Councilman Don Perry, and city manager Kent Meyers. Those Port Angeles residents who are not sleeping these nights, worrying about losing their jobs.. they are wondering where your priorities are.
That's EXACTLY why I shop at Walmart...NO F'IN UNIONS!
UNIONS have driven manufacturing to China with their demands for unreasonable wages and health care.
And their Democrap buddies have over-regulated them to the point that it's not profitable to manufacture in the US anymore.
Unions are one of the reasons we have the 40 hour work week. Unions are one of the reasons we have child labor laws. Unions are one of the reasons we have the minimum wage. Unions have helped to get health insurance for millions of people.
And the bad side of any of those things is..?
Shilling for corporations to be able to pay whatever they want, and the hell with the people that work for them, is a pretty suicidal position to take. Unions are a handy scapegoat, but they haven't forced the jobs oversees. They want work here, they want wages here.
But corporations DO NOT CARE if people get screwed, starved or hurt - so long as there shareholders are happy. What part of that do you not understand?
The problem isn't unions here - it's the lack of unions elsewhere.
anon 5:50
You actually believe that garbage don't you?
What a crock, business moves work overseas to save money. It's cheaper because labor is so much less is offsets the shipping expenses.
Do you understand or are you so brainwashed by the unions so don't get it? Unions are obsolete.
I'm not brainwashed; I've never belonged to a union in my life (sadly). But I do understand the importance they have in our history, and in our culture.
Without a union, how should the workers of, say, a big company like, oh, WAL-MART, go about negotiating for raises, health insurance, etc.? One on one? In a company with tens of thousands of employees?
So, yes, there is power in numbers - power a union can wield to improve the lot of workers. Workers who are then happier, and might be more likely to stay put instead of quitting. Workers who will be less stressed if they have some sort of health insurance. And, perhaps most importantly, workers who will have more disposable income, because they are getting paid better. (That means they'll be able to BUY MORE STUFF FROM WAL-MART.)
So you tell me, whomever you are that's just repeating the far right, Tea Party line, do we abolish the minimum wage? Do we do away with the 40 hour week? Do we do away with child labor laws? And safety regulations for the workplace?
You tell me, how would any of that BENEFIT the average worker? Further, how would any of that benefit our economy, or our productivity? I'm not meaning to put words in your mouth, but, it sure sounds like you're advocating a return to some sort of system of corporate barons running our lives, with the vast majority of people (those who have to work for a living) at the mercy of their whims.
If that's NOT the case, please do feel free to lay out how you'd like to see things changed, and how those changes would benefit us all - not just the wealthy elite.
No name calling, no class or political baiting - just lay out your vision for our society.
I went into Walmart today and I wasn't impressed. Why do we need another Subway? Do we really need another hair place? Do we need another huge cell phone vendor?
Their grocery area is okay, I guess. What is up with that lame hot deli set up? They were just metal pans under a hot light? Doesn't the law require them to have their food in a hot bar?
On the other hand, I found there were many things missing from this new Wal Mart that was at the old one. I'm a gamer and they didn't have half the PC games and PC peripherals and hardware they had at the old one. I voiced this and apparently, I'm not the only one who found it lacking. There were several teens who had voiced their opinion on it.
The sewing area was just awful. It doesn't have the bolts of fabric and I didn't see any patterns, just a lot of kits and beads and whatnot.
Although, I was annoyed by this, I can also see it as a good thing. People won't be going to Wal Mart for sewing and crafting and they won't be going there for PC items.
anon 5:50
You actually believe that garbage don't you?
"What a crock, business moves work overseas to save money. It's cheaper because labor is so much less is offsets the shipping expenses.
Do you understand or are you so brainwashed by the unions so don't get it? Unions are obsolete.
10:02 AM, October 29, 2010"
You need to do research before you show the world how ignorant you really are. Do you want me to list all the functional, major economic powers/countries in the world, right now, that have a strong union worker base? Hint: There is more than one!
Anon 8:31
So you tell me, whomever you are that's just repeating the far right, Tea Party line, do we abolish the minimum wage? Do we do away with the 40 hour week? Do we do away with child labor laws? And safety regulations for the workplace
Yes, Yes, Yes, and Yes
the benefit would be American corporations being able to compete globally on a level playing field. We can't change the world, so we need to change.
"Do we do away with child labor laws? And safety regulations for the workplace
Yes, Yes, Yes, and Yes
the benefit would be American corporations being able to compete globally on a level playing field. We can't change the world, so we need to change."
So...You not only want to have to compete with 12 year-olds in foreign countries for jobs, but also with 12 year-olds here in America? And you want to be competing for jobs that take place in workplaces without any sort of safety regulations?
Are you serious? You're arguing in FAVOR of children working in factories and coalmines? Wow! Your future looks a lot like our dangerous, unpleasant past - so perhaps you work in the time machine lab?
One more point: As another poster points out, there are a LOT of countries with unions in them. Are you only concerned about us competing with countries that don't have unions? In other words, are you declaring our surrender in being able to make it in the modern world? Is America now just another Third World country, doomed to have their workers and resources exploited by more prosperous nations?
Personally, I think America can do better than that - a lot better. Call me patriotic, or call me naive, but, I want this country to grow and succeed, not give up and crawl backwards.
"the benefit would be American corporations being able to compete globally on a level playing field. We can't change the world, so we need to change."
A couple more things...
I am curious about your seemingly ONLY being concerned with the welfare of American corporations. Don't you give a damn about American citizens or workers?
Also, there are plenty of examples of times we've "changed the world" or made a huge difference in global affairs - be it in business, politics, technology, culture or war(s). You're SO gung ho for American corporations, but so defeatist when it comes to America as a whole. Why is that? Why are you so down on your country?
Only an idiot would let their 12 year olds work
Now 15, 16 year olds, their are plenty of those that should be working instead of sponging off the government
We also need to get rid of 99 weeks of unemployment benefits and free medical insurance
Give me a break
Right. Only idiots would let their 12 year olds work. And there are certainly no idiots out there, are there? Are there? No one say, doing drugs, or branding their own children. Naw - couldn't happen!
And we really, really do need to get rid of unemployment benefits, too. After all, just because people pay into them, doesn't mean they should actually have access to them. It's much, much better to have them unemployed, homeless, and, yep, ready to work for $1.00 an hour at Wal-Mart. (Remember, you got rid of the minimum wage, too.) Hey! Maybe their kids can work there with them.
Finally, could you please tell me where this free medical insurance can be found? It sounds like everyone but me already has some, and I'd like to get me some of that.
anon 1:33
you would want free health care
Get a job
Sorry it may not be free, but currently the Government is paying 65% of cobra.
And by the way, no one pays in enough to get 99 weeks of unenployment.
It's welfare
'..do we abolish the minimum wage? Do we do away with the 40 hour week? Do we do away with child labor laws? And safety regulations for the workplace
Yes, Yes, Yes, and Yes
the benefit would be American corporations being able to compete globally on a level playing field. We can't change the world, so we need to change.
6:49 AM, October 30, 2010"
I am stunned.
I have known that Port Angeles is the home to a lot of backwards and regressive people, but honestly, I really didn't think people in Port Angeles were SO backwards.
I will send this exchange to people at the UN, the International Human Rights Tribunal, international organizations defending children, and more.
Really, a Red Letter Day for Port Angeles.
Increasingly, America is being seen as a backwards, primitive country. These comments verify how out of touch with the rest of the World America has become as a result of mindless rhetoric.
I am saddened by these posts.
If we do away with the minimum wage, and there's a race to the bottom on wages, do you actually think the cost of living will drop enough to match?
I'll point out a recent article I read about young adults in China having to squeeze five at once into a single apartment just to afford to live. And that's a college grad doing computer programming. You want that here?
I'll also point out recently, in America, as wages nearly flatlined the cost of gas shot way up, along with food and other goods.
I'll ask again: do you honestly think a race to the bottom on wages will still provide a living wage to Americans?
Awesome. I'm a newcomer but born and bred in Washington. Came here because it looked like my idea of as near perfect as I can see. And I work.
I'm so very encouraged by this dialog. This is what it takes to succeed as a community. I know, blah, blah, blah. No! That's what we've got and that's what it will take.
So otherwise where's the greener grass-really!
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