HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022.09.12 Council Workshop Packet - Comment Distributed at Workshop Distributed to Pasco City Council
at 9.12.2Q22 Workshop
Debra Barham
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Name: Wilson
Email: slwslw@yahoo.com
Subject: Pasco Master Plan Input: Public Safety, Arts &Culture,
Branding+ Marketing
Comment: PUBLIC SAFETY
A great concern regarding downtown safety is that there is a
high number of homeless people, which can lead to higher
crime rates, more resources for sanitation and public safety,
and an undesireable reputation for the city itself. Some
solutions, as
indicated in the plan, include desirable spaces, strategic
lighting and a continuity of events. I would offer that I have not
yet noticed any plan addressing specifically the impact that a
regularly active night life would have. Stores and shops
currently
close at night, creating a potential vacuum for the homeless.
One solution offered is to allow a cannabis company to occupy
space downtown, creating a longer duration of public activity,
thus deterring the gathering and settling of homeless people.
ARTS &CULTURE
I remember getting haircut checks by Ms. Deaver at Claire's
Beauty college, which was across the street from the Bonanza
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88 Cent Store and around the corner from ACE True Value,
which was in a perpetual state of liquidation. 4th and Lewis
certainly
has changed! Now the festive feel and cultural emphasis is
helping to form the roots of what downtown Pasco can
become. With time and effort, it is possible to make the
Franklin County seat a destination location. As parks and
desireable spaces are
created, emphasis has allowed the present culture to thrive to
where we are today.
BRANDING + MARKETING
As the larger picture and progress develops over the coming
months and years, one of the biggest motivators of change
may be what name Pasco is making for itself.As word spreads,
Pasco will gain a reputation and attract or repel people
because of
it. Historically the reputation is hit-and-miss, with not much to
point at downtown to counter any negative arguments, except
for maybe more recent developments, such as Peanuts Park
and the vibrant stores.
SUMMARY:
I worked briefly as a night cook at Phil's Top Hat, some time
after Phil's demise. With the surrounding libation stations, there
was a demand created for"sober up"dining. At this time,
Pasco was pretty rough, but the problems were not with
homelessness, but mainly with drunks and gangs. Having said
this, the homeless situation then was basically contained to the
Mission property.
I feel that the main contributor to the downtown homeless
situation is the routine closing of businesses at an early enough
time that makes the spaces appealing to those without
alternatives. If there were to be a lively and consistent
downtown
presence after hours, I believe that it would deter most of the
homelessness traffic.
After much consideration, I believe that it is in the best interest
of the city to not push for a cannabis store in the downtown
area, for the the following reasons:
-While the owner from Spokane has done a fabulous job of
revitalizing the downtown area in that city, I don't feel that this
is the solution in Pasco to create a robust night life. Culturally,
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the piece doesn't fit. A majority of downtown business owners
have already made it clear that, with all due respect, this isn't
the answer.The next step is to put it in the County
Commissioners'court, and officially state you are happy to
have a cannabis shop in other select areas,just not downtown,
and have them
sign off on it. That way it is now out of the hair of the downtown
business owners, and they can focus on the actual problems at
hand.
-The strength of the current cultural representations downtown
are incredible! Hearing of plans of murals and cozy spaces,
and witnessing the effects of this type of planning in other cities
is certainly encouraging. Because Franklin County has been a
majority Hispanic for a generation now, it is important and
relevant that the county seat is represented as such. In my
mind, Hispanic culture is represented by family participation,
hard work and dedication, lively music, respect for laws and
people,
festive extravaganzas and great cuisine. Not once have I
associated the Hispanic culture with marijuana, and a cannabis
store downtown would, to me, represent a cultural square peg
in a round hole.
-With long-term city planning being strong and capable, there
will be a resonation of good or bad progress throughout the
county, state and region. I believe that current population
growth models are grossly underrepresented, with giant
companies
breaking ground and the influx of families and new businesses
that this growth brings. While there are innumerable actions to
consider, in the end our reputation will determine the success
of the overall model, and from what I can tell, this model will
only be as strong as its weakest link. If the name recognition is
positive and attractive to the public, it will result in progressively
positive growth. If new people are chatting about downtown
Pasco and they are casually mentioning the great offers there,
where does marijuana fit into that discussion?
CONCLUSION:
I believe that the Downtown Pasco Master Plan should firmly
establish direction in terms of branding, culture and public
safety. In order to meet this standard, the important action is to
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politely but legally/clearly/finally refuse a cannabis shop
DOWNTOWN and AT THIS TIME. In order for this
determination to be feasible to the community, I feel that the
council should make it clear that you are certainly interested in
taking a closer look at the benefits of a cannabis option
regarding retail,
economy and such, but it is not a good fit for the future growth
and overall master plan of the downtown area. As such, the
council can then focus time and resources on the myriad other
pressing issues that need to be done by yesterday. Make the
county answer for why it has been 10 years, and that other
counties have figured it out. Put the cannabis ball in THEIR
court so they can catch a little heat over this issue and maybe
make something happen. Meanwhile, downtown business
owners are
relieved and happy, and they can figure out ways to attract a
vibrant and consistent night life as a deterrent for unwanted
occupancy.
Thank you for your time.
-Wilson
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to the Public Records Act, Chapter 42.56 RCW.
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