The photo above shows the skeletal remains of a streatery tent in front of Alchemy Steak & Seafood (aka Alchemy Bistro and Wine Bar), where according to their website “A New Culinary Adventure Begins.” The photograph accompanied an email to the Port Townsend City Council from Harvey Windle on November 25th.
Windle is not the only one raising concerns about the shredded — and on closer inspection, mold-ridden — structure, he is just the most vocal among neighboring businesses. Numerous people had commented to us about the trashed and unused eyesore fronting prime real estate, a blight in our historic downtown.
This filthy and tattered mess is the legacy of a policy that, despite near-unanimous opposition from business owners and residents alike, continues to scar Port Townsend’s commercial landscape.
The Road Getting Here
To help out restaurant owners during the pandemic — while assuring the rest of the business community that it would only be a temporary measure — the city created an emergency program allowing outdoor dining to be set up in parking spaces edging downtown and uptown commercial streets. As the emergency wound down, prior to any public process, it was announced that an ordinance to make the program permanent was in the works.
The public backlash over this bait-and-switch was immediate and intense. Over the months we covered this controversy (see our extensive coverage below), it became clear that both staff who had developed the policy and a majority of the council were loathe to give up their pet project: tables and tents sitting in high-traffic streets, with vehicles driving next to them and diners breathing in exhaust fumes, for the stated purpose of adding “vitality” to shopping areas. Statements from our mayor and other city councilors revealed that the intended permanent streateries program was driven by an agenda inching towards eliminating vehicles from our commercial districts.
Unable to ignore the overwhelming resistance from downtown businesses to a scheme that offered a giveaway of precious public parking spaces for the benefit of a few select restaurateurs, the City Council grudgingly rejected establishing permanent streateries downtown in May of this year. But despite an unambiguous public directive to remove what residents had begun calling gutter dining — and get rid of it now — our electeds nonetheless unanimously approved extending the downtown streateries for nearly eight months, until the end of 2022.
As we reported, public sentiment couldn’t have been clearer. Over the course of several meetings, hours of public testimony amassed. All of it was in opposition except one notable proponent: restaurateur Kris Nelson.
Nelson, whose streatery at The Old Whiskey Mill was benefitting from usurping not only all the parking in front of her restaurant on Water Street, but obstructing the frontage of Quimper Sound and another adjacent business, explained that she had a vision to create a “special and magical” space. And despite fellow business owners’ objections, including a letter to the city from Quimper Sound’s owner upset over harm the tent blocking his storefront was causing his business, Nelson maintained that she knew what was best to improve downtown. Every other public commenter at the city council meetings and all but a single two-sentence note (“Hooray for the streeteries”) among many dozens of sometimes deeply-researched and often passionate letters submitted to council opposed the scheme.
But public be damned. Initially Libby Wennstrom tried to persuade fellow councilors that, like Nelson, she possessed insight — that the community at large lacked — into what was best for this town. Her former hometown of Ithaca, New York had eliminated street parking in three blocks of a shopping district despite a similar outcry fifty years ago, she said, and it turned out to be a rousing success. There had been “huge screaming from all the surrounding businesses” with similar objections to those “we’ve heard here tonight… but in that case it didn’t pan out,” she asserted. A Free Press contributor then discovered that three parking garages had been developed to offset those losses, one garage for each lost block of street parking.
When that misdirect was revealed, Wennstrom asked with exasperation, “Can’t we just try something different?” And countering criticism from many business owners that a giveaway of public parking space for the benefit of select restaurants was unfair, she then proposed a free-for-all lottery: allow ALL businesses who wanted to put their wares in the streets to participate. As it turned out, it wasn’t so much about creating streateries, it was about eliminating vehicles in our commercial cores.
At another meeting Wennstrom resorted to an emotional plea for her elderly mother. If immediate removal of the five existing streateries were to be enacted per public request, she complained, “We are essentially telling residents and visitors that you are not welcome to eat in Port Townsend. As someone with an 82-year-old mother, I’m disappointed because I was hoping this summer she’d be allowed to eat outside.”
The absurdity of these five sites being the salvation for people still afraid of dining indoors was belied by a list from one citizen who had catalogued all the outdoor dining options in Port Townsend — al fresco settings that were not in the city streets, did not encroach on other businesses, and did not eliminate parking spaces. There were already more than forty such places, including sidewalk tables at The Old Whiskey Mill. The few streateries that did eliminate parking to the detriment of surrounding businesses that Wennstrom and her colleagues appeared so anxious to preserve were irrelevant in providing outdoor dining given the dozens of options already existing.
When a motion from Ben Thomas to table the policy nearly found purchase at one meeting, the distress from Aislinn Diamenti was palpable. Thomas walked back the motion, causing Wennstrom to lean over to Diamenti with comforting words: “The bad thing didn’t happen,” she said.
At the final meeting on May 16 council was tasked to approve an ordinance bundling an extension of downtown streatery use until 2023 with a program to allow permanent streateries in uptown and other business districts. Again public feedback was entirely negative.
Mayor David Faber had earlier pressured his fellow councillors to move forward with the program because “it’s frustrating when… we task staff with something and then we pull back.” Before the final vote, the mix of statements from councilors revealed the pressure they felt to affirm all of staff’s hard work, as well as their misgivings about faulty public process and concerns over future problems that an extension would cause.
Deputy Mayor Amy Howard stressed she supported a long-term streatery plan, but registered opposition to the extension of the temporary use permits. She didn’t want to “leave the ugly tents up longer.” She was surprised to learn that the decision to extend had already been made at the previous meeting. Generally when staff is directed to prepare legislation for approval at the next meeting, revisions can still be made before a vote. The date for the extension was in the ordinance. Couldn’t that be changed?, Howard asked. No, it was too late, she was told: “the temporary use permit was already extended.”
Howard’s frustration was echoed by Ben Thomas:
“We end up with a pretty imperfect position right now. We wouldn’t have created this particular thing from scratch, I don’t think. It feels kinda weird to be charging forward with this… [but] we’ve already done all this work…”
In his final statement before the vote, Faber explained why — contrary to public sentiment — he thought public parking should be given away for street dining, but sidewalk cafes should not be encouraged. He summarized his underlying ideology with this word salad:
“Preferring to use sidewalk space for other use than a right-of-way instead of a parking space is prioritizing disrupting the flow of pedestrian traffic in favor of allowing the storage of personal property on the street. It’s a car-centric model that I don’t think makes much sense.”
“December is gonna be here before we know it,” councilor Monica MickHager said cheerfully just before making the motion which passed unanimously.
After joining in the vote to approve the ordinance, Thomas later said he didn’t realize the vote had included the permanent policy. The confusion among council members about what had transpired and where they’d ended up was striking.
Chickens Come Home to Roost
Why was the extension for the downtown streateries such a big deal?
Among the many objections citizens brought to council last spring was degrading aesthetics. Even then, the existing installations were raising significant concerns about being a visual blight. Uptown and downtown commercial areas are, after all, on the National Historic Register, our picturesque Victorian seaport the bread and butter of Port Townsend’s appeal.
Which brings us back to Alchemy.
Along with Amy Howard repeatedly voicing her worry that the “ugly tents” would sour the public on future support of streateries, Monica MickHager noted the even-then-tatty Alchemy tent was not being used. She asked for confirmation that if a streatery had been abandoned for 60 days, the city could ask for removal. At that point, according to neighboring businesses, Alchemy’s street tent had been mostly abandoned for five months.
Public Works Director Steve King answered her: “I’ve already contacted the new owner of the Alchemy and he’s gonna re-apply.” Whatever that meant. Nobody asked further questions.
In Faber’s comments prior to the vote, he agreed that “the other major concern I heard repeatedly is that they [current streateries] were dilapidated.” He, too, noted the “unsightly weathering” of the Alchemy tent, saying the ordinance they were passing with “this code does not allow that level of dilapidation to even exist in the streateries.”
The discussion about dilapidation, “unsightly weathering” and abandonment took place seven months ago regarding the Alchemy tent. At that time it looked like this:
That is what council members called dilapidated last spring. A tacky assembly detracting from a handsome downtown building. But at least it was intact. Here is what it looks like now:
Black mold grows on what remaining material hasn’t been wrecked by the elements. Does the Health Department consider it safe to eat in this environment?
This frankly disgusting ruin has removed 3-5 parking spaces from service for more than a year now in a downtown plagued by parking shortages. It has created bad blood between one business and many others.
In his November 25 letter to the city, Harvey Windle, just down the block from Alchemy, wrote:
“A neighboring business my manager spoke with is very irate over the Alchemy tent as most all who see it are. The pissed off neighboring business folk park all day in public space damaging all business access as so many do. Seems they only see what they want to as does the Council of Shame.
They spoke to Mari Mullen of City controlled Main Street Association that assisted in tweaking negative public input. She said something to the effect that it was allowed until January, and that would be here before you know it. Sounds like what Monica MickHager said when community input pushed back against the special interest parking losses…
I did have black spray paint in hand at one point and was going to call the police and notify them I was going to tag the structure with warnings about the toxic mold. I chose this course instead.”
This structure sits right at the entry to one of our most photographed city landmarks, Haller Fountain Plaza, a stone’s throw from the iconic fountain, the historic stairs to Uptown, and the site of the annual Christmas Treelighting Celebration. This photo is from Port Townsend Main Street Program’s “Holidays in Port Townsend” page on their website, announcing this year’s tree lighting on December 3rd.
The scene below, in the process of being festooned in Christmas finery on November 30, shows the proximity of the Alchemy tent to the fountain (just left of the pole):
Alchemy’s building flanks the fountain plaza. City Hall is just down Washington Street, three blocks east.
Again, from Main Street’s website for this year’s tree lighting, here is their photo featuring the entrance to Alchemy during the holiday season:
Here, this year, is the reality:
Larger Questions Loom
What happened to the 60-day rule that MickHager asked about that the city was supposed to enforce? Why no enforcement action for seven months? The unacceptable state of Alchemy’s tent had already been roundly noted before the May vote to extend the downtown streateries. How could the city then turn a blind eye?
On November 28, I emailed city Public Works Director Steve King that we were publishing an update on the streateries story and asked him what was going on:
“Why hasn’t the city required removal of this downtown eyesore which has been unused for the better part of a year, continues to degrade, and eliminates valuable parking spaces?”
King responded:
“I’ve reached out several times to Alchemy asking their intent for removal. I haven’t heard back. All streateries are to be removed by the end of the year. We plan on issuing a reminder notice.”
That any business would show this level of disregard for its neighbors is alarming. But most disturbing is why the city is not able to take decisive action given the concerns City Council expressed back in May about disallowing this kind of degradation. How can a business owner repeatedly ignoring inquiries be allowed continuance of this level of violation?
Where is our Historic Preservation Committee?
How is Main Street — the organization’s purpose being “Enhancing the Historic Districts,” “committed to protecting our small town charm” — able to ignore this? Their enthusiastic tree-lighting promotion tells us that on December 3rd:
“Santa is coming to town!… At 4:30pm, Santa will leave the Flagship Landing area on the Kiwanis Choo Choo and head over to the Haller Fountain to light the Community Tree.”
Perhaps it will be dark enough that no one will notice the alchemy brewing in plain sight. Or just crop the scene tightly and maybe it will disappear…
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All photos of the Alchemy tent in its current condition taken during the lunch hour by Harvey Windle on Nov. 27 and Nov. 30, 2022.
A future article will cover the other streateries remaining since the extension was granted (including additional questions posed to Steve King and his responses).
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Previous Streatery articles:
Council Backs Off From Downtown Streateries, Contrary to Leader Misreporting
Arriving in Port Townsend in 1975 in Sherpa, her Ford van, Ana Wolpin has watched a sweetly funky, diverse and tolerant community increasingly gentrify, polarize and lose its soul. After almost half a century engaged in local business, city politics, county organizations and community projects, she joined with fellow editors to revive the Free Press and bear witness to extraordinary times. For a short sketch of Ana's history in Jefferson County, see “About the Free Press."
Ordinance 3289 that council passed on May 16 includes these provisions: “4. Standards for streateries and parklets are provided. … 6.. Maintenance, removal, and violations/penalties have been added to the code.” So why can’t the derelict Alchemy streatery be removed on that basis?
Check out the wording of section 12.10.110 on Revocation: “All permits approved under this chapter shall be temporary and shall vest no permanent right. All permits may be revoked in the event any such use or occupation shall become dangerous; any structure or obstruction so permitted shall become insecure or unsafe; shall become a public nuisance; or shall not be constructed, maintained or used in accordance with the provisions of this chapter or the terms and conditions of the permit. The determination by the building official that a structure is dangerous, insecure, unsafe, a nuisance or has not been constructed, used or maintained in accord with this chapter or the terms and conditions of the permit shall be conclusive.”
Clearly Alchemy’s mistreaterie has already become most all these things… so why would King have to wait for Alchemy to remove it? If they don’t do so in a timely manner, the City should “revoke” it posthaste, billing Alchemy for any Performance Deposit (see section 12.10.090).
“Mistreaterie”. Nice coinage, Stephen. And I believe you’re correct on your reading of the ordinance and resulting code. That streaterie should not be there at this point.
Ben, why did the city not remove it then, months ago (at Alchemy’s expense)? Why has Steve King only sent inquiries about intent, and after being ignored repeatedly only “plan[s] on issuing a reminder notice”? Why no enforcement for all these months? I suspect that all the provisions Stephen delineated do not apply to the temporary use permit that we learned on May 16 was actually extended at the previous meeting, that few safeguards were put in place for these temporary use installations.
As always, your participation in this forum is appreciated.
Is this not a taking of public property for private business use? How can that possibly be legal?
Port Townsend is looking like a 3rd world city there. Amazing how little the city council thinks of the peoples voice. Vote them out.
UN-incorporate- I am just done and I hope others feel the same . The City of PT is more harm than good. We can’t afford it. One sheriffs dept etc. County run -minimize the nonsense.
It will be interesting to see if the shredded refugee encampment in front of Alchemy is gone before the weekend Christmas celebrations. And whoever removes it, thanks. That’s a good start, but your work will not be done until all of them are gone, forever. And take with them the elected representatives that supported this embarrassing example of favoritism. As a former long term member and chair of the Historic Preservation Committee I’m dumbfounded that they would have gone along with any continuation of what was acceptable as a reasonable but temporary measure to help our restaurants survive. Were they silenced or ignored? The HPC is the conscience of the Historic District and their work is to make sure that the Victorian buildings and the unique community character that people come here for is preserved. Our visitors don’t come here to see moldy Costco tents taking up parking spaces.
The handsome building that ugly mess is devaluing was required to use paint colors from an HPC-approved Victorian palette. But the tent is okay? How can the owner of Alchemy think that keeping that mess there is a benefit to his business? Is this simply an F-U to the city and most especially to neighboring businesses?
Perhaps our councilors anticipate a “climate lockdown” in our future, and they wish to be assured their favorite restaurants will, in that case, remain free of the vermin-infested heretics whom remain unconvinced as well as unquackzinated, and can therefore rest assured that a moldy tent will be there in which the untouchables can enjoy their cake?
Alison, it’s fair enough to wonder that given how long the mandates were maintained (and still are in places). We do all need to be vigilant in all circles against what feels like a developing caste system. (I know many folks here feel it’s much more advanced than I’ve been aware of.)
“Ana Wolpin has watched a sweetly funky, diverse and tolerant community increasingly gentrify, polarize and lose its soul”. This sentiment is echoed by so many long time residents. It really is sad to watch what used to be a cool little town that was great to live and raise a family in turn into what it has and is becoming. I used to breath a sigh of relief when coming back home to pt. It was familiar, friendly and welcoming. The funky and diverse little town that welcomed my family here so long ago and made us feel like we were finally home has almost completely lost that feeling for me. P. T. Still has a chance to turn itself around but it doesn’t have long before the people that are the heart and soul of the area are priced out or just are done with the blatant lack of respect by the city for the thought and opinions of the public on public matters.
Nicely said, James. I, too, “used to breath a sigh of relief when coming back home to pt.”
The changes many of us have watched are certainly in line with a bigger-picture degradation that’s been taking place across the planet, but there looks to be an intense focus here that as others have said is tied to a self-serving elite coterie with some pretty warped agendas. They create a PT in their image, perfectly exemplified in the perverse ideology expressed by our mayor: Down with friendly, charming, picturesque sidewalk cafes! Up with “allowing the storage of personal property on the street.”
That “personal property” being “stored” would be structures and paraphernalia (streateries) that benefit the few at the expense of the many. Our public commons should be storage units that generate more revenue for them… while claiming it’s for the public good. It’s part of an ideology that is destroying the very fabric of this place.
Remember in the Wizard of Oz when Dorothy was told just to click her heels together and she was home? She had the answer the whole time. There are 4 Council seats up for grabs in 2 years. A majority. 2 years to organize and get elected a voting block of real people that would be a majority and send packing the City Manager with no experience but eliminating cars for bikes. The dull tools that make up City Council and Appointed Mayor are charmed and hypnotized.
Mauro is a $andoval/$tinson/Faber operative taking up where Timmons left off after 20 years as City Manager before taking over at Fort Worden.
With a great smile. Like the toxic mold on the Alchemy tent, time for some clean up and removal. It is a job. Not a lifetime appointment. Results are in.
The “data base” of his deceptive nature and the backwards practice of he influencing policy, not Council representing residents making policy is clear.
Main Street and at least 25 year Director Mari has become a City puppet. Slanted polls and studies when needed.
They are your ruby slippers everyone. Why let this group including past City Manager Timmons now heading up the FWPDA with a board of familiar faces run the table?
I should qualify my remark by mentioning that I view Ben Thomas as an outlier in that pack. He is singularly willing to listen, discuss and accept responsibility. I would prefer that he be more willing to take a stand instead of being swept along by groupthink, but I value his good heart and persistently kind manner.
“The dull tools that make up City Council and Appointed Mayor are charmed and hypnotized.”
Hard to argue with that one, Harvey, though I will say that I view Ben Thomas as an outlier in that pack. He is singularly willing to listen, discuss and accept responsibility. I would prefer that he be more willing to take a stand instead of being swept along by groupthink, but I value his good heart and persistently kind manner.
I also support Ben. It is hard to see someone with relative innocence learn things that some of us learned some time ago. How does someone like Ben at the start of a Council meeting bring up the fact that Appointed Mayor Faber posted on Facebook several posts that no one in their right mind would, that debases the entire town and Council?
No one did that and so approve. Would constituents approve of the silence?
I was told Ben chose not to vote on the Evans Vista project recently having some concerns. I really do wish he had voted no and for the record stated reasons he was concerned. Why would that not be what his constituents would want? Going on the record also protects him against being hit by debris if and when a train wreck happens.
In a fair and just situation perhaps his concerns would be considered, and a course correction made.
I learn lessons posting here. If I am corrected or shown to be wrong, it is part of the education.
Ben is the only person I can think of in local politics that has ever put himself out there. Kid has potential.
He does need to be more careful judging character and who he feels the need to keep happy with him.
Tough job. Some learn to be proud of who their adversaries are. One who had potential I supported now runs with the pack of dull tools.
Lessons.
Parking has not been enforced in Port Townsend for 9 years now. Real estate interests on Council 20 years and appointed mayor 3 times benefit. And oversaw hiring City Manager Mauro.
The City Attorney allows municipal codes to be ignored. As does Council and City Manager.
Dozens of emails with photos have been sent to City Council by me over 9 years showing
business access blocked. City studies show over 9 years millions of dollars in lost revenue.
No member of Council or Staff has lost a dime. No pain at all. Just back slapping grins all around.
Then came Mess Tents and parking space tables. On top of the managed into existence business loss, there is very real damage to what was a respectful small-town culture with boundaries, breaking apart of actual community.
The new community is the power core stretching from City Hall to Fort Worden. Same old faces rotating to different posts to keep control. Wasted tens of millions of dollars is the legacy.
Appointed Mayor Faber and City Manager Mauro, Mauro now 3 years into no parking plan or enforcement purposefully omitted public notice on the Ordinance to make Mess tents and parking space tables in the most widely circulated forum, the city newsletter. Nothing in the Leader. Stop a minute and really think about that. This is Leadership. This is catering to special interests. I will stop here and just post my latest email to City Council yesterday.
Hey, all you elves.
Wishing you all a traditional Corrupted Christmas. And a deniable New Year.
Attached are 3 festive photos of the decking out of the Haller Fountain.
The tacky and selfish Alchemy Hazard Tent may taint Mari’s wonderful celebration.
FYI tree lighting always kills business due to street closures. Just another little sacrifice.
Mauro can sit on Santa’s lap and wish closures were permanent. OPEN STREETS!!!!
To explain away the mess of a mess tent here is a “Word on the Street” for Mari every bit as truthful as any…….
This year as we all celebrate by lighting the tree at Haller Fountain, we have a new addition to our tradition.It is the artfully tattered tent meant to represent the homeless and those less fortunate than those of us in the bubble.
I mean the Port Townsend elite. I mean all of the people of Port Townsend.
Alchemy has graciously agreed to let their economy driving Streaterie that is so important to all businesses be used this year. Main Street volunteers worked all night to make this beautiful and magical Streaterie resemble a toxic homeless camp.
The pristine white cover was artfully shredded. Food safe licorice was artfully applied to resemble mold.
Leaves were brought in with some trash to remind all that our spotless and nearly perfect town is exceptional, and that in other less special places problems exist.
Merry Holidays, if that does not offend you. What a special place. What a wonderful community we have. Nearly perfect. No, perfect!!!
A comment from our Facebook page from Morgan Parker:
Was there for 4 days over thanksgiving and we were appalled that the street seating looked so terrible and we find it hard to believe anyone is using them in the winter months! Is anyone using them? I prefer to eat in comfort and to not eat cold food!
Tarped Streateries are not a Paris Street Scene
Like so many cultural shake ups in this first quarter of the 21st century, an attempt to capture the convivial and romantic Paris cafe scenes along the boulevards has been translated into white plastic structures in gutters. If these were blue tarp structures Public Works Manager King would be sending his crew to remove them.
Recently the city code enforcers were responsive to the complaint of one individual concerning the “racoon house” incorporated into a venerable cyprus stump. High caliber craftsmanship created a structure of interest, a delight to look at. Further, the community by the hundreds have requested the city cease and desist.
The somewhat feckless city council electeds seem unable to represent the community; leaving their ambitious city manager to create and manipulate passing codes that suit the agendas of a few. His sidekick King imposes engineering standards on the public infrastructure guaranteed to homogenize this little town – anywhere USA.
Julie Jaman
Quimper Peninsula
A group of community members should just remove the damn thing. Problem solved. I know I would if it was blocking my business.
A local physical therapist who has worked from her home in town for three decades has to move out of the house while it undergoes foundation renovation. She wanted to rent a motor home and construct a couple of temporary new buildings on her own property in which to continue her practice with least disruption, but the city ‘planners’ wouldn’t allow it. Esthetics, you know. Beautiful Victorian town, beautiful people, beautiful houses with no mobile homes to sully the view. It’s costing her tens of thousands of dollars to relocate for the short while the house will be under construction. One could choke on the irony of that in contrast to the streateries’ blight.
The managerial class are sucking up fortunes to craft policies that generally make life more difficult for residents and businesses, with nary a sign of genuine betterment for the community. Thomas Sowell’s sage observation fits PT like a glove:
“Sometimes it seems as if there are more solutions than problems. On closer scrutiny, it turns out that many of today’s problems are a result of yesterday’s solutions.”
As the Covid restrictions were brought down upon us by the State my business was shuttered leaving no foreseeable future. My neighbors as well felt the effects. We began to see the hope of being allowed to reopen by the State and this came with heavy restrictions. I was asked if I would allow the space in front of my shop on Water St to be part of a temporary tent structure to be used during the time these occupancy restrictions were in place. I gave up valuable street frontage to help because I was raised to believe we are all in this together. That time has passed. The occupancy restrictions were lifted. Then the vaccine mandate went into effect. I bit my tongue as the tent covered my storefront because I understood telling 30pct of potential customers and their parties to not come in is fiscally deadly to a service business. I pitched in to help. Our County finally removed that last restriction.
I read the tea leaves after meeting our City Manager at a public meeting. His only objective was to make streateries permanent. Appointed officials are like Gods and he will get his way so I asked that the council and his office make their rules that we build nice, fitting structures that only sit in front of the place served but noted I prefer no streateries. Well they could have done something and I would have spent a summer season in sight but they kicked the can down the road leaving the ugly tent in front of my shop. Frankly I am just disgusted by our City Council and our Manager. My business has suffered. The last few years has been horrid anyhow but getting calls from professional delivery drivers and customers saying they can not find my storefront even with an address….
As for the idea of blocking off roads and making a pedestrian mall out of Water St. I grew up in Eugene, Oregon which finally gave up the failed experiment of the downtown pedestrian mall and reopened many of the streets. Even in a place that was flat with a huge amount of parking including huge mutli-story garages it just did not serve the economic needs of the district well.
Many thanks for sharing this perspective with us. I worked downtown for many years, and it was a joy to participate in our business community. Folks all supporting one another, contributing in large and small ways to a vibrant downtown. My offices were above Waterfront Pizza, down the street from Quimper Sound’s original storefront. One of the shockers for me as this issue unfolded, was seeing Kris Nelson (who arrived long after my tenure) — obviously an astute, moneyed business woman — so blatantly block your storefront and imperiously claim at a council meeting that her vision was best for downtown. Then I read your letter to the city about the damage it was causing your business and couldn’t fathom that any councilor would think allowing that was okay… Let alone vote to extend the injury for the better part of a year, so that she and a few others could rake in a few more sheckels at your expense. It hurts the heart.
Ana, Kris Nelson has been here a long time. Perhaps just as long as you. Just saying.
Seth, my first business downtown was in 1983. Kris (like you, it would appear) was still a kid. My parenthetical aside was to say that she became active in the business community long after my most active engagement, so I didn’t have any direct or personal interaction with her. No value judgment was meant, just a statement of timing. My point which IS a value judgment is that her treatment of a neighboring business — for her benefit and to his detriment — is a far cry from the cooperative business ethos that used to exist downtown. Alchemy’s new owner has taken that to another level.
James, that is very unfair, especially with your willingness to accommodate your neighbors. I don’t understand why the streatery is in front of your space. We should have been able to tweak the code when we allowed for the continued temporary structures through the summer (which turned into Dec. 31 somehow) so that it eliminated the ability to block other businesses. That honestly hadn’t occurred to me at the time.
Frankly, I felt a little overwhelmed by the process (as Ana correctly suggests in the article) and was fixated on tabling the proposed ordinance for permanent streateries and getting sidewalk-cafe fees waived as an alternative to streateries that I left the door open on the temporary streateries. If I was a little sharper at the time, it would have been a 5-1 vote, which wouldn’t have helped except to let people know that we aren’t 100% groupthink on Council. But the tents would still be there.
One bit of context is that the Covid numbers had shot up the previous two weeks to that vote, so the mood of many was that we needed another summer of outdoor dining options. And I know Covid opinions vary widely, but amongst the majority of residents, there was still a concern at the time.
Perhaps I’m over-explaining, or worse, just excuse-making, but I do want people to know that the Council isn’t a monolith dead-set on totalitarianism.
Ben, the fact that not only has not one member of the City Council spoken out against David Faber’s disgusting online behavior – his vulgar speech and bullying actions undertaken as mayor of Port Townsend, NOT as a private citizen – and he remains at his post is astonishing and depressing. Whatever credibility this council may have had prior to this summer vaporized as you all have sat there, meeting after meeting, refusing to address his conduct. Groupthink, indeed.
Ben, the Council has seen you before. Does this person sound familiar? Best wishes as your schooling continues.
https://www.ptleader.com/stories/robert-gray-will-not-seek-reelection,61439
From the link above
“While city council seats are nonpartisan, Gray described himself as sometimes the “only dissenting voice” on the council. “I think it’s time to give someone else the opportunity to serve,” he stated in a press release. “I believe that more people would run for city council if we had term limits because incumbents are rarely challenged and, in a small town, rarely defeated.” Gray said he decided a long time ago that he would limit his service to eight years. “I believe that I have made a positive difference for the city,” he said. “I fought to increase access for seniors and those with disabilities; improve our roads, trails and parks; and to increase the number of residents able to participate in the city’s low-income utility program.” The city’s financial stability is still a concern for Gray. “The city council has a history of unsustainable borrowing,” he said. “In my opinion the city’s budget is not prepared for another economic recession like the recession we faced started in 2006.”
This feels like a hack job, not investigative reporting. OK, have your opinions about these ‘streateries.’
They got us through the pandemic, didn”t they? Oh, wait, that isn’t over.
Unsightliness? Well, your city is doing its best to remove the prettiest work of art ever attached to a stump.
Ok, it could be better. But lots of guests have been fed and lots of money has gone into the local coffers because of them. That is money that will circulate in the town for a while to come. I really think this article is biased and antithetical to the economic goals of the city.
Seth, are you an Alchemy employee, by chance? “YOUR city?”
I agree this is not “investigative reporting.” It is strongly opinionated commentary about an ugly and embarrassing public mess for all to see with their own eyes. It should never have been allowed an extension to begin with, as city councilors worried over even after extending the temporary use permit.
I suggest you read the prior articles on this issue and give this article a closer read, too. No, these streateries did not “get us through the pandemic.” There were five of them (+/-), a drop in the bucket given more than 40 outdoor dining spots that are not in city gutters, most of them existing before the pandemic. The local coffers fed were of a select few restaurant owners, and in Alchemy’s case, I doubt that whatever meager profits were generated by that tent — which has been mostly empty (according to neighbors) for a year now — were recirculated in this community. The new owner has been antagonistic to neighboring businesses and ignored the city’s communications. Not exactly a model member of the downtown business community. Take a look at the rash of one-star reviews on Yelp that are taking down Kris Nelson’s high ratings since she sold the place.
Finally, give all the written and spoken public comments the city received over the course of four meetings a read and listen, especially all the input about parking. Whatever profits these streateries generated likely pales in comparison to revenue lost from parking spaces being taken out of service. In Alchemy’s case alone, it’s been estimated that loss exceeds half a million dollars over the course of the last year the beaten tent has been empty. That is “antithetical to the economic goals of the city.”
Nailed it Ana.
Those few benefiting wear rose colored glasses.
Ana, no, I don’t work at Alchemy. I have no skin in that game. I doubt that two parking spaces equal half a million dollars in lost revenue. But I could be wrong.
But at times during the pandemic, it was next to impossible to find somewhere to sit down and dine in PT. Some of those tents added a significant capacity for that, and I was happy to have the option.
Thank you for responding, Seth. The estimate for lost revenue is based on taking three parking spaces out of service for a year, using figures from Main Street. The Alchemy tent is not covering a parallel parking strip like on Water Street, it was angled parking there. I recall that stretch having four or five angled parking slots, but the official number is three, so to be conservative that’s what was used. See Annette Huenke’s previous article for that calculation.
25% of Washington cars have disabled permits. The Building Code requires only 2% of parking for disabled. Those underserved 23% need the parking adjacent and closest to retail and restaurants taken by gutter diners. Streeteries and the City discriminate!
Ok, Ana, let’s go with your estimate of 3 parking spaces and the estimate of $150-$300 per day in revenue. I would question that, especially at the high end. But that high end number does suggest over $300k in revenue. I seriously doubt it.
I don’t think that the Alchemy tent is serving a greater purpose at the moment. But I seriously question the motives of people who would tar every street tent with the same feather.
I have read lots of articles here on the PTFP, and I find a significant bias as well as a distinct willingness to ignore certain facts.
Let’s talk about one of those facts.
Among other things, I studied Economic Geography at university. One topic that came up over and over was the benefits of restaurants to local economies, particularly on a street by street level. This is a known, well-documented fact. It turns out, restaurants bring people to retail neighborhoods, enhancing the local economy for all businesses. In fact, one restaurant on a particular block can increase foot traffic by more than 25%. And they employ more local people than the average business. Far more.
Sure, this is not a perfect scenario. And irresponsible business owners should be held to account. But do not be so quick to judge all of them, and do not let your bias cloud the economic realities that we are desling with. https://multiteriausa.com/blog/why-restaurants-are-important-to-local-economies/
“I have read lots of articles here on the PTFP, and I find a significant bias as well as a distinct willingness to ignore certain facts.”
Seth, I’m grateful that you continue to read and engage with the FP despite your opinion that our reporting is so seriously flawed. Having said that, when you make a claim like this, I assume you’re prepared to defend it with examples. Your ‘fact’ about the value of restaurants to the economic vitality of local communities is not disputed in any of our streatery articles, so it can’t be used as one of those examples.
The article you offer was written by a restaurant design and supply company which cites national trade associations to support its ‘facts.’ (That’s kind of like asking Coca Cola if sugar is good for your health.) It was written at the height of public policy panic not grounded in reality, when all businesses were withering on the vine due to lockdowns and unprecedented public health fear-mongering that had most people afraid of everyone and everything.
The piece says that restaurants are important to local economies because they employ locals, are an active part of the supply chain, and contribute to a sense of community and tourism. Restaurants are not unique in that regard. Many businesses do all those things. Yes, they tend to employ a lot of people. I’ve known lots of folks who work here in the food service industry. Many of them couldn’t/can’t afford to rent an apartment locally on that income, so it’s unclear that this feature talking point has particular merit.
Have you read the parking study? You may ‘seriously doubt’ the value of parking spaces downtown, but unless you can prove otherwise, that’s the best we have to work with, provided by as official a source as could be had.
We are grateful for our restaurants, but strongly disagree that they should be granted special status with the use of public space for private enterprise. Public works director Steve King acknowledged this concern at a council meeting. Our articles have detailed a dishonest public process driven by an ideology that would happily see motor vehicles gone from downtown. Never mind the ‘fact’ that automobiles are the conveyance by which the vast majority of restaurant customers and their employees arrive at their destination.
Seth-
“Those that benefit see through Rose Colored Glasses”.
My business, and I am sure many others bring more people to town than the slanted Main Street/City mess tent and street seating special interest takeover. It is a blight on a picturesque very controlled historic setting. What you don’t see are the many artisans we help make a living and support by purchasing art directly from them. Access handicapped by the city and specific players within that system.
I am asked many times a day where visitors coming to see us should eat once they are in town. Why would I recommend those who damage the whole for self-interest? Let me explain once again some of the back story.
The Main Street poll was slanted.
The distribution of that was purposefully limited by Mari Mullen President of Main Street. I know because I took to the streets and spoke with most of the business in the Historic District that turned out to be unaware of the moving forward of a permanent City Ordinance to make mess tents and street dining permanent. There was no mention in the City Newsletter by City Manager Mauro or Appointed Mayor Faber. I also distributed information. In a few hours. Did any Council members bother to really understand things? Did Mauro who has agendas and narratives to keep? Did Mari of Main Street? Seems all avoided simply meeting and understand ALL of those they work for.
John Mauro city manager, Kris Nelson past president of Main Street and owner of several restaurants, and Mari Mullen Director of Main Street now funded with city money attempted to shut down Taylor Street at the beginning of the pandemic for restaurant seating. The Free Press has featured pictures I took and signage saying to “enjoy” this “open streets initiative” Main Street sponsored new reality. There was a loud uproar. That would have impacted not only parking but traffic flow. Kris Nelson would benefit in her mind. She is the mother of 2 current mess tents and another that was removed from one of her other restaurants.
The parking space values are from an ignored city funded study. Ignored because it did not support the desired narrative.
The same individuals pushed permanent mess tents and street seating along with supportive city council members, then “temporary” ones when that hit massive push back yet was unanimously approved by council after some back handed manipulation of last-minute bundling of several issues. One more honest council member admits not really understanding what was being voted on.
This took public property and assets for specific special interest use. Illegal and actionable according to many who know the law.
As with non-enforced parking now in year 9 there is discrimination against all visitors obeying posted signage and a special class that knows not to. Many damage themselves cutting off business access. Many in my experience are restaurant employees. Many of them as you point out.
I am in direct contact and have to answer parking questions by visitors. I repeatedly have asked 3 appointed mayors, city attorney, and council for direction on this. No answer ever. Do I lie for them and say to obey signage or explain the degree of corruption behind the smiley faced image some try to portray? For big paychecks.
This city government above all is a heavily influenced social club. Examples are plain to see. This one for instance. I could go on and on. At some point for some individuals greed becomes gluttony. Then power for power’s sake takes over. Sadly, here in Port Townsend those with power have little real ability. Cherry Street, parking, the FWPDA, no public input 1.2-million-dollar visitor center plaza and street conditions are some examples beyond mess tents for special interests.
Social club rooted in party.
So we are back to “Those that benefit see through Rose Colored Glasses”. We don’t get to know what your connection to all of the mess tent madness is.
I just ran across this article being shared to a Port Townsend Facebook page. The comments weren’t what I expected. Most were in favor of removal.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/porttownsendchat/permalink/1117770608907066/?mibextid=Nif5oz
What Port Townsend needs downtown these days is PARKING… not tents erected in a highly questionable public health response to a so-called ‘pandemic’. Parking spaces benefit all businesses, rather than sidewalk tents which benefit only a ‘select’ few.
That said, if PT were to banish all cars from downtown in favor of sidewalk cafes and walking avenues, that would be both equitable, and a blessing with regard to traffic. But then… who will be willing to sacrifice their precious nearby downtown real estate for parking all the cars… and where…?
Michael Kasten
Good question Michael. The ball field is out, soil conditions and native artifacts in the area aside from those who like the ball field make it a no starter. Often used by Mis Leader trolls as being threatened if the subject of parking garages comes up. Never was in danger.
Across from the ferry terminal and before historic buildings start is past 20 year council member and 3 time appointed mayor’s Windermere realty and another building not really historic.
Possible funds for a tsunami shelter and park on top with thoughtful architecture set way back on the lots could be looked into. The Bishop lot is also possible for a location also set back and well designed with park on top.
I once suggested the old historic ferry that was scrapped could have been used
Perhaps Elon Musk could bring his boring company to town and burrow into some hillsides. Or not.
We have to remember the abilities of the individuals who would work out this plan and level of public input that would be listened to. They brought us parking anarchy and will allegedly work out a new parking plan in 2023. Oh boy.
As we see all over, it is much easier to destroy something than rebuild it. Different skill sets.
As Steelers Wheel kind of said……
Clowns to the left of me
Jokers to the right
Here I am
Stuck in a mill town with you.
This book is getting hard to find and
very expensive, as well. If you know anyone
just waking up to the realities of what is going
on in our country right now, this is the book
to share with them. By a lefty, for lefties and
for everyone. She was wide awake.
Bless her soul.
https://archive.org/details/behind-the-green-mask-u.-n.-agenda-21
You’re right, Dan. That book is getting hard to find. I recently heard that our library has a copy. I posted a detailed comment with an excerpt of the book in our initial coverage of the streateries, here: https://www.porttownsendfreepress.com/2022/03/30/strangulation-by-streateries/
Streateries are an offshoot of Agenda 21/2030. Get people out of their cars and onto bicycles or foot, under the guise of ‘climate change.’ Our local governments are peppered with Agenda 21 change agents. Rosa Koire explains the “Goals of UN Agenda 21 in 5 minutes!”
If I am recalling correctly the historical society was consulted and they were the ones who okayed the tents frim a “historical” perspective. But then there was a rather large monetary gift from the member of the historical society who made the decision, to the main street foundation, after the decision was made.
A very curious sequence of events.