Another Vision for the Foss (28. November 2007, 17:10 by Whitney) ~ Oh, to Paddle on the Foss...
The yet undeveloped Foss Waterway park has been on people’s minds for quite some time, with plans for a park or the possible relocation of the Children’s Museum. (Previously on Exit133) Recently, a new vision for the site came across our desks.
A coalition of paddlers and rowers has proposed adaptive reuse of the Berg Scaffolding building into a boathouse for kayaks, dragon boats, outrigger canoes, and rowing shells. The site would be cleaned up to provide access to the water and a launching space for the boats.
Historically, the site was the Tacoma Boat Building Company and Thea Foss started her business with a rowboat livery. This newest vision maintains the history of the site. We like boats. We like the water. Hmmm….
Read more about the new vision here
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I think that being able to get out onto the water is really important to fully enjoying the region that we live in. While some have yachts and speedboats, I think that a place to launch affordable kayaks, small crafts, and even dragon boats keeps the water accessible to a lot of people.
It’s a very cool vision to make it an important part of the Foss.
1 | Posted by Erik Hanberg | Nov 28, 06:04 PM
Fantastic vision!
On a related note, this just arrived in my in box:
————————————-
Public Workshop
Foss Waterway Design and Development Concept Plan
6:00–8:00 P.M.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
· Foss Waterway Vision
· Views
· Site Development Standards and Parking
· Design
· Parks, Public Access, and Circulation
· Land Use
Come and learn about
· The history of Foss Waterway planning and redevelopment
· The issues affecting our choices for the future of the Foss Waterway
· How the Foss Waterway Plan relates to current plans
· Other interested citizens, businesses, and organizations
Location: University of Washington , Tacoma
1900 Commerce Street
Keystone Auditorium
For more information please contact
Community and Economic Development staff:
Molly Harris (253) 591-5383 or mharris@cityoftacoma.org and
Stephen Atkinson (253) 591-5531 or satkinson@cityoftacoma.org
Please visit: www.cityoftacoma.org/planning
2 | Posted by morgan | Nov 28, 06:26 PM
An outstanding proposal. Rowers and other small craft users have been searching for such a facility for years. This would preserve an existing building on the former site of a major shipyard, and would be quite low in cost due to the structure now there. It fulfills the promise of the City for using the site for recreation and true park use. A big homerun idea.
3 | Posted by Frank Jacobs | Nov 29, 01:57 PM
This will be such a great venue for our team and for all the clubs that we have the pleasure of meeting out there. The potential has always been there to have a place designed to incorporate something that can only enhance Tacoma and the Foss Waterway – I’m glad to see the steps are being taken to see that potential become reality and include all the essentials (showers, parking, launch, and security). I’m looking forward to paddling out there! (Kikaha o ke Kai member)
4 | Posted by Amanda Josiah | Nov 29, 02:44 PM
Thomas, you might want to think about shifting your focus and energy toward your new blog—-the world really could use your sense of humor.
6 | Posted by Mofo from the Hood | Nov 29, 09:13 PM
It would be great for the community to have shared access to kayaks, outriggers and shells. How much stuff can you fit in your garage? But for now, those of us with a will find a way (bit inconvienent) to get out on Commencement Bay. Too bad most people don’t have the chance to do it often enough.
Thanks for posting info on the public meeting. It has been helpful.
7 | Posted by teehee | Nov 30, 09:00 PM
Lk Union has 5 human
powered water sports NOT to mention UW Crew. The Foss water way has 2 World Class Dragonboat teams and other world class paddlers on it almost daily. We have the potential of having a UW Tacoma Crew. What is Tacoma waiting for. Let’s make it happen on the Foss water way too.
Deborah Sandidge TEAM USA World Dragon Boat Championships 2007-Sydney, Australia
8 | Posted by Deborah Sandidge | Dec 1, 10:37 PM
Great idea!
I’d love to have a safe and convenient place to launch kayaks and rowing shells. I’d pay dues to use a facility like this!
If Tacoma had this, more people would put down their video games & big screen remotes to go mess about in boats!
9 | Posted by jeffrey wong | Dec 2, 12:23 AM
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