Funding Historic Preservation
Update: The meeting is less than an hour away. If you care, show up. Your support would be appreciated.
Historic preservation is one of those issues everyone loves but when budget cuts happen it tends to go. So in 2005, when an RCW was passed that set aside $1 of a filing fee for historic preservation, many celebrated. Since then various counties have implemented grant programs. Pierce County has banked theirs for the past two years while setting up programs to distribute it.
Recently, a little bird told us there is movement to quietly shift much this money (nearly $850,000 now) into the general fund because of a $3 million shortfall.
What?
It turns out, because of several issues (like declining interest rates), Pierce County is having to make some hard choices. Early childhood education dollars were supposed to increase but it may be at the cost of historic preservation. I wouldn’t want to be balancing this budget.
If you feel strongly about historic preservation or how its dollars should be spent, speak up today at the Committee of the Whole meeting.
When and Where
Monday, Nov. 19, 1:30pm
Pierce County Council Chambers
Room 1045
930 Tacoma Avenue South
19 comments
M morgan November 19, 2007
This is not surprising. While some leaders are starting to understand the value of historic preservation, others still need convincing.
Pierce County has not done as well as it could on this topic, as it is more focused on expanding sprawl.
This funding could provide a first step in the effort of historic preservation by funding an inventory to be done so that historic buildings can be indentified.
J john ruskin November 19, 2007
Morgan, you’re being too diplomatic.
It’s one thing to merely neglect your preservation program, quite another to actively take $$ away that is clearly intended for preservation-related uses. This is a revenue-neutral opportunity for the county to address policy areas that leadership has thus far been unable to address, for whatever reason.
I have some other general pejoratives I’d like to toss at Pierce County, but I’ll refrain and assume we can all think of a few.
In the meantime I’ll try to stay optimistic.
E Erik B. November 19, 2007
Recently, a little bird told us there is movement to quietly shift much this money (nearly $850,000 now) into the general fund because of a $3 million shortfall.
To build a 100 foot of roadway? It comes down to a matter of priorities. However, if true, it comes down to keeping prior committed priorities.
R RR Anderson November 19, 2007
Hmm. I wonder how much money the Clear Channel fine counter is upto these days… almost 3 million?
Is this our rainy day fund? Seems pretty rainy lately.
K kc November 20, 2007
A lot of difficult choices and only so much money. I doubt few undervalue historic preservation. I suspect it has more to do with priorities and the fact that buildings are not going anywhere (in most, but not all cases). I don’t jump to the conclusion that taking care of children (early childhood education) and the people in the community “first” means that the decision makers oppose historical buildings. I will be watching for those 3 and 4 year olds at council meetings as they advocate for the programs they feel are far superior to historic building preservation. They are such powerful lobbyists, you know…. almost as powerful as the buildings that attend the meetings.
M Mofo from the Hood November 20, 2007
Childhood perseverance or building preservation?
Yeah, when you put it in those terms, the choice is easy. It’s been said that the character of a civilization is determined by how it treats its children.
A artifacts November 20, 2007
The County Council actions yesterday must be seen as progress given Pierce County’s historic preservation efforts in the past have been severely underdeveloped. It looks like some serious survey and resouce identification work will get accomplished and that going forward, the State Legislature created funding source will be used as intended and required by law.
The vote yesterday was unanimous to strengthen the PC Landmarks Commission, and by reference provide the resources for operation. We can all be sceptical and alert as to the budget manuvers between now and the approval of the County budget but there’s no denying that our Council, and particularly Councilman Ferrell are making major improvements in the HP program. The populous county to the North is on a path to completely absorb about a million $$ in HP money into past general fund spending and erase it entirely. They are also shifting a very respected and long established Historic Preservation Office from general funding to the State created historic records fee $$. By comparison, Pierce County is acting with smarts and integrity and that’s very cool.
Still following the budget thru adoption tho.
E Erik B. November 20, 2007
It’s been said that the character of a civilization is determined by how it treats its children.
Historic preservation is for the children.
Preserving our historic buildings enables them to believe there was a time when Tacoma citizens thought high enough of the public relm to build something more than disposable boxes in strip malls covered with spray on stucco selling cheap cigarettes and fortified wine.
R RR Anderson November 20, 2007
I’ve got your historic preservation right here. How about we pay the children to take care of our historic buildings?
I mean the adults did such a great job preserving the MMB, eagles building and crap.
Honestly do Tacomans even deserve any cool old buildings anymore?
Screw the kids and the buildings. Give MEEEE the money!
I’d give it to “The Traveler” so he could once and for all destroy the Tacoma Dome.
M Mofo from the Hood November 21, 2007
I doubt that many children care about or would caretake historic buildings even if you paid them.
Look at one of the most historical buildings in Tacoma—-Stadium High School. My mother attended school there in the 1930’s and even then they called it Stay Dumb.
K kc November 21, 2007
You got that right. Children learn how to respect from the adults. We’re all doing such a fine job.
M Mofo from the Hood November 21, 2007
Children learn how to persevere from adults.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I wonder if the school system still teaches that it was initially a day set aside by our Pilgrim forefathers to give thanks and respect for the providence of God. The Pilgrims anchored their values and hope in the Scriptures which teach, among many things, that life is about relations, not locations.
If you reverse the order of that teaching, then locations or buildings or things become the focus of respect or worship. And that is a preferable status for many people because we like our idols. We can control them.
We become God. The ultimate religion becomes the religion of the self. We’re free to pursue unrestrained desires and even create stupid philosophies like post-modern relativism which denies any ultimate truth.
If you really want to act consistent according to the times, then you would say that all buildings are equal and therefore all are worth preserving.
If you really want to act consistent according to eternity, then you would say that childhood perseverance takes precedence over building preservation.
M morgan November 21, 2007
I went to Stadium too. We knew our school was special. What other kids got to go to school in a castle?!
Stadium, like other historic buildings, contributes greatly to a sense of pride in one’s surroundings, even if one isn’t quite aware of what historic preservation is.
R RR Anderson November 21, 2007
the kids are alright. save the city!
M Mofo from the Hood November 21, 2007
Once one becomes aware of what pride is then everything else surrounding man starts to make sense.
Everyday the news media tells us the about the depravity of our world because of man’s pride.
M Mofo from the Hood November 22, 2007
Here’s a couple of books for those who are looking for a quick overview on historic preservation.
Historic Preservation In Tacoma
City of Tacoma Department of Community Development. 1978.
Help Your House
How to Mantain the Personality of Your Home
City of Tacoma Department of Community Development. 1979-80.
I’m also proud to add that both publications were produced with the help of one of my brothers while he worked for The Tacoma Office of Historic Preservation.
S snoopy November 23, 2007
Whoa. I have that first book Mofo. What was your bros name?
M Mofo from the Hood November 23, 2007
He uses the name Rick.
M Mofo from the Hood November 23, 2007
Addendum to 21:
Excuse me. I had to grab the second book to see how the name was listed.
It says Richard D. Thacker.