— from Chris Bean-Hearne —
I took a long look at the recently detailed and lengthy proposed plans published by EPRC for the improvements on Prune Alley. It comes down to this — the gentrification and tarting-up of a nice, old village street with the final effect (at a cost of $4,500,000) resulting in a street you could find anywhere in suburbia U.S.A. No character, no charm, no individuality.
Street lampposts (17 of them), wide pavements, even EV charging stations! Too much!
You can respond with comments, questions and opinions until July 28 to Eastsoundplanningreview@gmail.com and/or if you wish to be involved in a zoom meeting on July 30, email Leith Templin at leithtemplin@hotmail.com.
I also have fingers crossed that the remaining two plum trees on the Alley can be saved as the EPRC is saying it hopes to do. What a sad day to lose the last vestiges of the Prune Alley orchards and part of our Orcas history.
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I believe that EVERY project envisioned before the pandemic needs to be re examined in light of possible changes to economy, lifestyle and island priorities. Everything we planned before January is in a state of flux and that should also be true for old deadlines and projected expenditures.
Just because we HAVE $4 million is not reason enough to proceed. A sidewalk, some illumination mainly for pedestrains, i.e.low bollards at crosswalks would seem to be a sufficient step for the moment.
While I agree with the author that the present plan is mundane, monotonous, and could be “anywhere in suburbia USA”, I don’t for a nanosecond believe that the existing 50′ wide undifferentiated gravel has any “charm” or “indiviuality” whatsoever.
For the past 30 years, the goal for Prune Alley was to extend the visual character established on Main Street, N. Beach Rd., and a portion of “A” Street which I will describe as a streetscape consisting of curb and sidewalk, a variety of on-street parking arrangements, street trees, and major landscaping elements. Given that the public right of way was limited in some areas to as narrow as 30 feet, achieving this was a minor miracle and it all happened as a consequence of a very fruitful collaboration between SJC Public Works, local business leaders, and the EPRC. By and large, the result follows the Eastsound Streetscape Standards established by EPRC; some minor compromises were the result of the location of certain existing buildings.
(continuing)
Unfortunately, due to a particularly egregious decision made in CC, the Eastsound Streetscape Standards have NOT been followed and the resultant design suffers as a consequence. This decision by CC…namely, to direct SJCDPWs that all public improvements and on-street parking shall be placed within the existing 50 foot wide public right of way…is at the root of this bland result.
Let’s use the current economic squeeze, stop this project in its tracks, and take another shot at a collaborative effort which will generate an extension of the character of Main St. and N. Beach Rd. with their landscaping elements and variety of on-street parking provisions.
Fred, could you explain the 50-foot issue? Can the County put improvements outside the ROW? Does that require condemnation of land? Thanks for any information you can provide.
Peg…Best to refer to the Eastsound Subarea Plan, read the street standards and the provisions for easements to create varied parking arrangements and landscaping…not an easy discussion to have in comment section of Orcas Issues…deserves a full article.
Peg…the Eastsound Streetscape Standards do not have any provisions for condemnation, nor were there any condemnation proceedings when the improvements were made on Main St. or N. Beach Rd. thirty years ago…improvements which, by the way, were quite controversial at the time with plenty of handwringing about the loss of Eastsound’s unique character.
Thanks, Fred.
I was County Commissioner when we improved Main street North Beach road. I am proud of those accomplishments, going from a dusty and unsafe environment for pedestrians, our elders (I’m one now) and our students( I still teach at Orcas school) THE GREAT WORK By GREG BRONN TO MAKE THE SIDEWALKS LOOK LIKE WOOD PLANKS, AND THE HARD WORK OF RON LOWEN TO make the entrance to Island Market keep the feel of the original entry, ( now the entry into the south west corner of Council member Hughes’ property. we collaborated with property owners, and I believe Mr Kline and Mr. Campbell went door to door to secure easements. No condemnation occurred. I can only hope public works will continue to follow that tradition.
Thank you Chris for your commends that reflect how many residents feel about this proposal. The worst part of the concept design is the lighting that is totally out of place – a place that needs to keep it’s rural village character. As the Kim Theory of Relativity states: Pole lights belong in parking lots; elsewhere it should be inconspicuous.