||| from Fred Klein |||
Main Street, Eastsound
If you love and appreciate Eastsound, listen up.
If you experience and enjoy the look, the feel, the ambiance of Eastsound’s Main Street as you enter the village…the landscaping, the street trees, the meandering sidewalk as it weaves around the little pockets of on-street parking…if you get a sense that you are entering into a unique, somewhat remote, special place…be prepared for the changes coming to Prune Alley.
If you value the unique sense-of-place which is Eastsound and appreciate it’s beloved village character…be prepared to find a very different streetscape when the proposed improvements on Prune Alley are implemented.
These improvements have always been envisioned, at least in my mind, to build upon the unique character of our Main and N. Beach Road streetscape, to support and enhance the low-keyed, casual, unpretentious ambiance, and continue the emphasis on landscaping. That’s not going to happen if the present transformative design for Prune Alley is implemented.
The east side of Prune Alley will become a four block long stretch of road flanked with parallel parking, a sidewalk, and NO street trees…just a few patches of beauty bark. The west side will be much the same, though interrupted by two pockets of diagonal parking and (thankfully) a few street trees. The design ignores the adopted Eastsound Street Standards which generated Main St., North Beach Road, and a portion of “A” Street with their abundance of landscaping features, street trees, and meandering sidewalks.
But the Main Feature of Prune Alley…and a very real departure from the laid-back, modest character of the village…will be the introduction of quite elaborate treatments of the intersections at Fern, Rose, “A” Street, and High School Road. Spanning up to 70 feet in width, the intersections as designed will include 10 foot wide concrete ramps which raise and lower the roadway by six inches, 8 foot wide decorated concrete crosswalks, and a large central square of decorative brick. (The raising and lowering of the roadway enables the elimination of the usual ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps at the curb.)
Proposed Prune Alley and Fern Street Intersection
The Eastsound Planning Review Committee has unanimously endorsed these elaborate intersections IF the surface of the ramps and the crosswalks can be brick instead of concrete. SJC Public Works has endorsed this recommendation, money not seeming to be an issue.
Our very capable County Engineer concedes that these quite elaborate intersections are completely un-necessary and we have reviewed and agreed that there are much simpler ways to create ADA-compliant sidewalks and crosswalks; he is, however, willing to support the preferences of EPRC.
Whether this elaborate treatment of the street intersections is a thing of beauty or an introduction of an element which is totally alien to the look, feel, and ambiance of Eastsound is up to the observer. Opinions will vary, a wide range of which is rarely lacking on Orcas.
The question for me is whether the treatment of these intersections enhances the sense-of-place which is unique to Eastsound, or whether it diminishes that uniqueness by introducing elements which are trendy and cropping up in communities all over Washington (and beyond).
Years ago amidst much local soul searching about the future of Eastsound, the common cry I heard was, “…we don’t want to become a Friday Harbor…and, for God’s sake, let’s not become another Leavenworth.” Ironically, SJC Public Works showed photographs to EPRC from Leavenworth to help sell these same elaborate intersections, designed by its consultant for Prune Alley.
For me, the pity is that the project’s priorities are askew…with no recognition of the negative impacts on Eastsound’s unique sense-of-place…no money to move underground utilities in order to allow ample room for the roots of street trees and a failure to recognize their aesthetic impact over time…yet plenty of money for small town “anywhere-USA” glitz which our high priced Seattle consultants have foisted upon us.
It doesn’t have to be that way. We can do better. We can honor the modest spirit of our village.
I write all of the above after having spent much of the past six weeks studying all documents made available by the consultants at this time, engaging with our Orcas Councilman and County staff, members of the EPRC, and several property owners.
This whole project is not yet a done-deal and won’t become one unless County Council votes in favor (unlikely in the face of an outcry). Here’s an opportunity to express your views on it, and Council wants to know how you feel.
Fred Klein
5 decades experience as Architect and Planner
past member of EPRC, numerous terms
member of the Eastsound Design Review Committee
resident of Eastsound
You go, Fred.
As a past member of EPRC, and a past SJC Planning Commissioner, I agree with Fred’s concerns here.
Why the heck is the county proposing such an expensive, overly cute redo of Prune Alley? If there’s county money to spend, how ’bout low-cost housing or bike lanes (or at least road shoulders) for the safety of everyone? This looks like we’re a Carmel wannabe. (Yes, I gave these comments to the county.)
Thanks, Fred, for all the time spent on perusing the relevant documents, and highlighting these issues of importance.
As a past resident of Orcas for 45 years I have watched Fred’s patient work on Eastsound planning. He has the right ideas and spirit to keep Eastsound unique. Support his vision.
It would appear that there is no discussion or document describing a foundation mythology for these improvements. Based on Fred’s work, for which he should be congratulated, the probable foundation mythology is to enhance not only the human movement experience (which some might easily translate as promoting ‘growth’) and go trendy too (if you like what Leavenworth has done, you’ll be at home under this “let’s be cool, glitzy and show locals and visitors that we too can demonstrate our allegiance to clever mainland kitsch”.) The proposed changes do not demonstrate leadership. Rather, they show a serious lack of imagination and a related desire to tweak transportation elements to meet some unspecified need for innovation or fantasized refreshment. What’s wrong with what we already have? Are there not other alternative treatments that might achieve whatever it is that is driving this bus? In less than 10 years there may be half the number of cars that need to park since it is likely, if we don’t burn up before then, that autonomous electric vehicles (think driverless, county-sponsored uber cars) will pick up locals and visitors and take them where they want to go. You won’t need a car and you won’t want one. I say start over and follow Fred’s suggestion for keeping Eastsound charming. We don’t need expensive cute. We need trees.
Just wanted to say that, as a brand new Orcas resident, I completely agree with Fred’s sentiment here. This project is yet another example of the bland, over engineered stripping of character from American cities and towns across the country. I’ve seen it happen in Kansas City, I’ve seen it happen in St. Louis, and if This project goes forward, it appears that it will happen here.
Fred once convinced me that street lighting needn’t cause light pollution, and he showed me how it might be done. From that experience, and a few others, I suggest to all and sundry that Fred’s opinion on planning and architectural matters is valid, and that we need to listen to him.
I wonder whether the planned intersections, the roadbed raised to meet the sidewalk’s level at the corners, might make it much easier for a badly controlled vehicle to, well, “jump the curb,” thereby to threaten pedestrians. That seems somewhat foolish, if it’s true, and it could give citizen complaints about the proposed design a bit of extra force.
Revolution, anybody? “Occupy Eastsound”? “Pedestrian’s Lives Matter”?
I would certainly favor maintaining consistency with the look and feel of Prune Alley with North Beach, as Fred proposes. The current proposal appears to reflect the emphasis of some in our community to generate ever more revenues from the tourist industry, which perhaps those with a stake in that industry may prefer more than those of us who don’t, but instead wish to retain a lifestyle attained a decade or four ago.
Thank you, Fred, for your many contributions to our community for so many years.
Often a group project which stretches over a long period of time, begun with the best of intentions, has members of the group dropping out, new folks joining in, resulting in small incremental changes which add up until the stated goal and direction is very different than it was at the outset. The military calls this “mission creep”. The Prune Alley project began in 2013 with the modest goal of safe sidewalks, undergrounding of overhead wiring, effective stormwater management, and an optimal mix of on-street parking with street trees and landscaping elements. Since 2013, we’ve had four or five Public Works directors, and multiple turnovers of well-intentioned volunteers at EPRC. The project has lost its way.
It’s not too late to redirect our efforts to achieve those original, modest goals.
The critical thing is for the County Council to hear how we, as an engaged community, feel about this.
Like Madrona Street, like the airport, like Prune alley… mission creep is the order of the day. Even during the worst of times there seems to be plenty of $$$ when it comes to more glitz & glitter for tourism. Thank you for highlighting your observations Fred… I’m glad someone is paying attention.
Fred Klein is absolutely right. Please, County Council (I mean you, Rick Hughes!), stop this while there’s still time.
I am writing Rick Hughes now.
Thank you Fred for your thoughtful essay. I joined the Council call a few weeks back and listened to the discussion. It seemed a “done deal” and I didn’t feel I knew enough about the long history of the project to voice an objection.
We need Council representation that can vision and manage the pressures of growing tourism and gentrification.
Leslie in Olga.
PLEASE just make the Prune Alley redesign consistent in style and implementation with North Beach Road, also achieving needed storm water control and pedestrian safety.of course. One tiny town with two radically different aesthetics (one of them glitzy, pointlessly elaborate, and treeless on (ex)”Prune Alley” ) — on adjacent streets doesn’t make sense either for the resident or tourist experience.
I agree with Fred. This project will erode the rural character that has , up to now, defined Eastsound. This project is over designed
and a misuse of resources. The tail wags the dog once again.
I love the photo of Main Street that begins this invaluable contribution to the discussion of Eastsound’s future. Just compare it with one of Friday Harbor’s Spring Street, and you’ll see what I mean.
More than anything, it’s the trees that make the difference. I love how the maples are just now turning red, reminiscent of my New England youth.
As Fred says, it seems that the trees are a secondary concern in the existing Prune Alley plans. That’s a shame for a street named after trees.
Please, County Council, don’t make the same mistake you made in pushing through the Sidewalk for Nowhere on Haven Road.
If this project moves ahead, I am willing to bet that our utility rates for ALL affected utilities, especially water and sewer, will increase dramatically. Is everyone ready for double base rates???
WHO could be prepared for Prune Alley?!! I am discouraged and disgusted by the very blatant lies that have been told about the imperative of this project and about the design with its many morphings .
I have spoken up and spoken out as have many others to no avail. The pandemic has played into the hands of those who would like to move it forward on their terms.Walkabouts cancelled, meetings rescheduled, or not meeting a requirement for a vote. Then all of a sudden a new version is shoved under our noses with hopes for a rubber stamp.
I might add there are just a few too many foxes in the hen house for this to have ever been the plan Fred Klein in his wisdom and vision hoped for.This is and will continue to be the problem so very resistant to common cause and common sense.
In 1994 when the county began work on the major changes to North Beach road there was established, at that time, a close working relationship between the county and local volunteer groups. We were lucky during the design process for the street to have the guidance of a local retired architect, Paul Hoeg. Paul was the person who negotiated with the property owners along North Beach road to create the many planting pockets that enabled volunteer groups to come in and plant trees and shrubs. He left us a beautiful enduring legacy.
Now, with the proposals for improvements for Prune Alley, I see all the work that local architect, Fred Klein, has invested to help the county create a functioning and beautiful streetscape. Fred is a longtime Orcas resident who genuinely cares about the built environment in Eastsound. He has dedicated countless hours on committees and volunteer groups to help us make informed decisions about our village of Eastsound. I strongly recommend to the county officials that there be more outreach to our local experts for design assistance.
From 37 years of living on Orcas I have seen that our best choices for moving forward with the necessary changes for our Village have always come from the guidance of local input. Fred’s voice is a voice that should be listened to.
I concur with all of the above comments made against this overbilled and out of character
The diversity of this group of people all agreeing on the same thing is astounding to me!
As someone else did, I would love a response on this matter from Rick Hughes. How are you intending to vote on this Rick?
And thank you very much for your letter Fred and all of your passion for Eastsound. I wish you were in charge.
Thanks to Fred for monitoring this! The use of pavers and the diagonal cross hatched scoring of the concrete does seem out of character to me. Would love to see more of the “board” scored concrete that you see on many Eastsound sidewalks that adds unique texture and scale to the village.Would also love to know how many street trees can be retained and newly planted in the new scheme. The prune trees on Prune Alley are one of the village’s highlights.
Spoke to Eastsound Sewer company today. They will know soon if they will have to move their main line because of this project. Their line is in the way of the counties plans. If so, we as rate payers have to take on this burden. The rates will be increasing in January already but this increase will maybe double our monthly.
If the county wants utility’s to move their lines, shouldn’t they help instead of making the people pay for it?
Thanks for your voice Fred Klein
I am puzzled as to how the Prune Alley plan formulated a few years ago has morphed into this latest iteration? I agree with all of the comments that are stated here regarding Fred Klein’s concerns, and I have yet to hear of anyone who is in favor of this latest plan. If any improvements need to be made on Prune Alley – and there are valid reasons for implementing some of them – I fervently hope that they can be modest in scale and aesthetically in tune with the appropriate and pleasing Main Street streetscape.
Thank you Fred for posting this. I hope that you can also post it in the Sounder to access even more readers.
I quote you …”yet plenty of money for small town “anywhere -USA” glitz which our high-priced Seattle
consultants have foisted up us.” Who was it that engaged these people to change our village when we have persons
right here that are capable. We need our County Counsel to listen to the locals!
This whole thing makes me so sad. It feels like we are losing the very thing we all came here to be a part of and I don’t know how to stop it. I feel so frustrated with it all. What do we do? Chain ourselves to the trees that will be cut down? I am ready if anyone else has ideas on how to stop this so-called growth, progress.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
Thanks Fred
Thanks for this thoughtful letter regarding the improvements being proposed to improve Prune Alley..change is inevitable I agree with Fred . Let’s keep with the modest spirit of our village
Wait, we paid a consultant for this? Don’t we have County staff who can do simple sidewalks?
Water fountain??
RELATED POST: EPRC explains its Prune Alley decision — from Leith Templin for Eastsound Plan Review Committee —…
https://theorcasonian.com/letter-to-editor-more-on-plans-for-prune-alley/
I try to include charity toward the open EPRC process in my last-minute evaluations of this imperfect outcome.
No bad guys (or gals) here…lots of good intentions…and…I raise questions about the present outcome…it doesn’t have to be this way…take a moment and re-read, “Be Prepared for Prune Alley”, along with the now 30 comments, as well as The Orcasonian article, “Council Takss Another Look at Prune Alley”…present design will have a subtle yet profound and lasting impact on Eastsound.
Our thanks and appreciation to Fred and we completely agree with his comments. We were involved with the North Beach Road improvements and we were always under the impression that Prune Alley would share the same aesthetics and continuity.
The scale of the proposed intersections on Prune Alley are out of character with Main Street and North Beach Road. As Fred has mentioned, our county engineer concedes that the elaborate intersections are unnecessary and that there are simpler ways to create ADA compliant sidewalks and crosswalks.
Let’s retain our village character.
Well I suppose somebody has to be the “bad guy” – may as well be me – since I fail to see how what is happening here can be called “good intentions.”.
I appreciate this article and Fred’s drawings and explanations in language we can understand. I am horrified that it has become this…. pretentious, out of scale with our rural character, destructive of tree habitat, EXPENSIVE thing that nobody wants, except the people who stand to make money at this. The rest of us once again feel not heard and not represented; it feels violent – an assault on everything we hold dear.
Brick is super slippery when wet or when there is a frost or any ice… looks like that is an invitation for lawsuits. I could go on but others have brought up so many salient points already. I will say it again: trees can be moved successfully; especially fruit trees. PW (Public Works) should write a grant to pay for the moving and care of these trees, the moving of sewer and water lines; that should NOT be on the backs of Eastsound UGA ratepayers who are mostly middle class and poor. We are not going in the direction that takes into account present or future generations or anything close to sustainability.
This project, if allowed to proceed as-is, will set precedent for future Eastsound Road improvements, since, thanks to the grant monies taken by PW, all roads in the UGA now need 70 foot easements and sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and bike lanes – says their engineer-heavy staff. I wonder where people are going to park? It would be laughable if it weren’t so painful to watch. A treeless town is half dead, not alive with life, shade, shelter, wildlife, fresh air. Any well planned town cherishes its street trees and the living things that keep it from being a sterile and unwelcoming place.
P.S – When is PW going to fix the potholes on Prune Alley? Some of them could take out a car chassis.
I like the intersection as is. We don’t need the razzle and dazzle of streetlights, park benches and art work. Plant more trees, finish the playground in the park, finish the sidewalks and let’s call it good.
It’s a shame as Eastsound has the potential to be a great “walking” town. Why do we need to drive to each place of business at the expense of our town.
The “raising and lowering of the roadway” is much akin to speed bumps, which I have always opposed. Speed bumps cause braking and then accelerating which is noisy and pollutes. They are also bad for emergency responders and cause wear and tear on vehicle suspensions.
It is time to seriously consider one-way traffic going north on Prune Alley and returning south on North Beach Road. This would allow much more needed parking, room for bicycle traffic, and wider sidewalks than the skimpy five foot ones we have.