Viewpoints
My final words on the bond
By Thomas Ferry
August 15, 2005
Monday
I have been following this dock
debate for a long while. Many people have come up with many valid
and non valid reasons for the docks to go north or south or not
to be built at all. Someone the other day came up with the lack
of parking as a reason not to go north, so I drew up a parking
scenario that shows how the area where the old Civic Center used
to be could be made into a multi purpose area like the one behind
Madison Hardware to access City Float and have additional parking.
The lot just north of Nordbys could have a zero lot line sheetpile
wall and add more parking. The area south of Sockeye Sam's will
have additional parking for the average citizen. People should
come up with solutions not put up walls for development.
I like to draw stuff and plan things whether or not they are
used. I drew up the plan that first showed the Tongass Dock Expansion,
KPFF then copied it and now it looks like P.N.D. will actually
use it. Anyone that has ideas about where future parking could
go or how Newtown could be enhanced please speak up. I hope to
form a Newtown Business Owners Association to preserve the history
and architectural integrity of the area.
Right now the retail price
per square foot in Newtown is less than 80 cents that is why
the property owners cannot afford to fix up their buildings.
The price per square foot will never go as high as downtown but
hopefully it will go up enough so the area will get fixed up.
Some people say they talk to
tourists that complain about not seeing the real Alaska. Maybe
some tourists have a preconceived vision that they would see
dozens of loggers strolling down the street wielding axes and
old miners running around screaming "I've hit the mother
lode".The tourists that just stroll around downtown will
never see the real Alaska they have to get out of town and into
the countryside.
I think fifteen million dollars
of the bond goes directly into downtown improvements. That is
a good thing anyway.
Get out and vote yes and in
two years you will see a great part of town once again come to
life.
Thank you,
Thomas Ferry
Ketchikan, AK - USA
Related News:
 Ketchikan:
Listen
to this KRBD story... After years of debate, City of Ketchikan
residents Tuesday will have their say on the city's proposed
port expansion project. As Deanna Garrison report, the city is
asking voters for permission to issue up to $70 million in revenue
bonds to increase the city's cruise ship moorage capacity.
KRBD - Ketchikan Public Radio - www.krbd.org
- Friday - August 12, 2005
On the Web:
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Ketchikan Port Berth
Expansion Bond Initiative
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Ketchikan
Port Berth Expansion Bond Initiative
Vote August 16,
2005
The City of Ketchikan
is proposing to expand and improve facilities along the waterfront
to provide enhanced public use and additional economic benefit
to residents, business owners, and the City. A bond initiative
will be placed on the August 16, 2005 ballot to gain approval
for up to $70 million to fund the project. - More... Port
Expansion Project Information
|
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