With all the hullabaloo associated with building construction, permits, approvals, zoning, EPRC recommendations, ADU’s, Growth Management, and all the other ‘stuff’ we constantly hear about new buildings and development, how about an idea that goes the other way?
Barry Madan has a brilliant idea, in my opinion: tear down Vern’s Bayside and turn the space into open waterfront viewing and community art. Well, to be honest, I added in the part about community art – Barry suggests we ask the Land Bank to purchase Vern’s, tear it down, clean up the site, and turn it back into the scenic spot it was decades ago, before all the construction. We are constricting and limiting the best thing about Eastsound – a world-class view down the Sound to the south.
Visitors don’t really come here to enter row upon row of shops, they can probably do that where they live. They come for the views and the vistas, and possibly a glimpse of the past. Let’s give it to them! That is what I would call progress.
Thanks,
Tom Welch
I think this is a glorious idea! Like the idea of having space for community art as well!
Tom – An intriguing and “out of the box” solution. What has to happen for it to become a reality?
Absolutely wonderful idea. WHEN this progresses beyond the idea, please include me in as a supporter if not worker bee. An open water viewing of sights & art of Eastsound–Wow!
Mas
Great idea. I pledge $500. to get the fund started. Let’s do it now!
Perfect…I urge everyone to contact the Land Bank with the proposal….
Stellar idea!
Good Idea!!
Would it be under the jurisdiction of SJ County Parks or under local control, EPRC?
How about a design competition? Beach access here is not a good idea…..dangerous floating driftwood at times of high tide.
There is presently open space accross from Outlook Inn that has not been developed for access to the beach and Indian Island.
When you remove income producing property from the tax rolls, who makes up for the loss in revenue to the county’s coffers? Would that be the tax payers? Is one waterfront park insufficient in this small town? There have been buildings on that side of the street for over a hundred years. Let it be. It’s not like there isn’t enough places to see the views around here. How about directing your energies toward reducing costs not adding more.
And when we’re done with that, let’s buy Eastsound Swale and preserve it from any more commercial development! Our shops sit empty and we compromise the environment irreparably with every new commercial/retail development that tears down more Eastsound Swale trees. Restoration of the environment is what is desperately needed. A better use of community art might be to so some murals in Buck Park playing fields. As an artist, I’ve been eyeballing that for a community art project for a long time.