What Would You Like to See at Point Ruston? (28. October 2008, 10:00 by Erik) ~ I want a pony, and a ...
Point Ruston developer Mike Cohen wants to know what’s on your wish list for the project.
Fill out the online survey and tell him which stores, which activities you’d like to see at the end of Ruston Way. You also can win some prizes by filling out the survey.
It’s like filling out your Amazon wish list, only for a mixed-use condo development.
After you’ve filled out the survey, come on back here and tell us what you wished for (don’t worry about telling, it can still come true).
Link to The Biz Buzz
Link to Point Ruston Online Survey
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I asked for a LINK stop.
The survey asks you to name what shops and restuarants you want. If we get what we ask for, we’ll end up with a bunch of chains. Chain places would work if mixed with independent places.
1 | Posted by I'm for Change (for tacoma) | Oct 28, 10:51 AM
LOL. I was going to say a streetcar from downtown, through the waterfront area, through Point Ruston, and turning around at Point Defiance Park… or something very very similar.
I think “I’m for Change” beat me.
2 | Posted by Jesse | Oct 28, 11:08 AM
I asked for independently owned boutiques, private restaurants by local chefs, and an outdoor music venue. Please Santa…I’ve been a good boy.
3 | Posted by Justin | Oct 28, 11:54 AM
How about no cheap-ass HardiePanel siding on any of the buildings… and some of those anti-seagull strips on all the landing perches. I also wish they would develop a new, more sophisticated logo…perhaps one designed by professional graphic designer.
4 | Posted by TacomAroma | Oct 28, 01:44 PM
I’d like wide staircases running up the sides of the containment pit, facing the different beautiful views.
I’d also like a community garden—perhaps excess could be sold to the local restaurants there. I’ve also always liked the idea of a bus running from the Tacoma Downtown, along Ruston Way and into Point Defiance.
5 | Posted by WonderlandAnn | Oct 28, 02:24 PM
WonderlandAnn@6: No thanks. I don’t think I want to eat any produce grown in Point Ruston soil!
8 | Posted by Mary | Oct 28, 04:46 PM
People paying to live at Point Ruston…What MORE could anyone ask for?
9 | Posted by Mofo from the Hood | Oct 28, 05:48 PM
I asked for a public access boat dock that we could tie up at and have a nice lunch or dinner.
10 | Posted by You're Welcome | Oct 28, 06:16 PM
I asked for local businesses – not chains. Looks like some of you were thinking the same thing I was.
12 | Posted by AngelaJossy | Oct 28, 06:19 PM
Sometimes I’m a little wary of surveys like this from a developer – I sometimes wonder if it all serves as an excuse for them to say to the public authority: “See look, more than half the respondants said they wanted a ____ (insert developer-profiting land use alternative here – drive-thru Starbucks!)”
p.s. I didn’t ask for a drive-thru anything
13 | Posted by Twofivethreezy | Oct 28, 08:02 PM
I was thinking about submitting:
No strip mall type teriyaki place
No strip mall type nail & waxing salon
No payday loan place
I am all for independent local retailers who offer something unique. Maybe a few antique stores or vintage clothing stores.
The type of stores picked need to encourage you to want to walk around. A nice spa at the hotel would be nice. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to walk by a strip mall nail salon at what should be a nice new development. We have too many of those places already (i.e. 6th & Division).
Oh wait, no ‘get your taxes done’ place either.
Mary @ 9: good point about the Asarco soil.
14 | Posted by Sarah H | Oct 28, 10:32 PM
Lisa @ #6- RIGHT ON!
Actually I’d like to see a large grove of native trees and bushes, Plants and flowers. Absolutely NO concrete except for the benches that sit next to the wandering path that stretches from one end through the trees to the other. Build nothing there. Why must every patch of land be developed into something?? Turn it back into what it was in the 1600’s before greedy white men landed.
15 | Posted by J. Cote | Oct 29, 12:19 AM
The survey is focused on the retail elements of the development. I think they’ve pretty much figured out everything else already. It’s expensive and very time consuming to amend something that’s already approved.
I asked for a mix of independent and chain retail. I support locally owned businesses, but the chains really tend to bring in the biggest numbers. If you looks at the condo pricing at the Copperline (condo building under construction), you’ll notice that the units range from $365,000 to almost $2 million. There is a certain demographic that will be able to afford these prices. Members of that demographic don’t often fill the streets to go shopping. It’s a younger crowd that you want to attract—one the will make the streets teem with shoppers. If that means having some chain stores, I’m all for it. It’s a fact of life: if you want to attract 16 year olds from South Tacoma, you don’t put in stores geared only for senior citizens. Busy streets and chains are preferable over independent retailers and empty streets.
You’re Welcome @ #11 & 12 — Great wish! I wish I had thought of it when completing my survey. I may have to fill out another just to get the idea of docks submitted again.
Those are some pricey condos; the condo-dwellers would probably like a close place to put their boats. As long as it doesn’t end up being a marina full of boathouses.
17 | Posted by I'm for Change (for tacoma) | Oct 29, 09:02 AM
I’d prefer to see 15 yr olds from south tacoma shopping in south tacoma.
18 | Posted by altered chords | Oct 29, 09:03 AM
@ 20
“…idiot”
May I suggest you that be nice? The typically high level of civility on this blog, even among folks who disagree, is one of the things that makes it different and worth reading. If I wanted name calling, I’d read the comments on articles on the News Tribune website.
20 | Posted by michael g. | Oct 29, 11:16 AM
@21:
May we count on you labeling other races and genders with complementary descripors as well as “white” “men”?
I’m sure everyone reading will be “nice” to you.
21 | Posted by altered chords | Oct 29, 11:35 AM
@22: Actually, no. I wasn’t planning to label anybody with anything. I think you might want to take up your issue with j. cote. I was just doing some unsolicited (and apparently unappreciated) refereeing…
22 | Posted by michael g. | Oct 29, 11:53 AM
… back to the topic.
I think that too much retail in the location would not be ideal. Ruston Way is crowded as it is and this would certainly add a lot more traffic.
The shoppers this retail area would attract are the immediate residents and the very North End. So I’ve vote for daily needs: dry-cleaning, bakery, coffee shops, bistros, etc, etc.
23 | Posted by Erik Hanberg | Oct 29, 12:31 PM
@ 20
I suspect your comment runs deeper, though allow me to comment.
1600’s western America proved copasetic with the Indians making their way. The “white man” came and spread disease to which the Indians were not immune, which killed a great many (Indians). The royal charge under which the “white man” came, I believe was narcissitic to claim and label this land and do what they will with the Natives and their land. A tragedy to be certain. Armed with guns and monetary wealth, the “white man” claimed this area as “their own.” By sheer might. Sure, its Darwinistic. Does not give credence to the crimes that were committed.
Let’s liken it to ecology. That which worked in England, small, does not work in the great northwest large with great Wilderness. Who gave England the right to eminent domain? I suppose the the thought of working with your neighbors in trade was beyond comprehension for the English. So sad that they had such tyrannical ambition. They made their own bed. It was wrong.
I agree with J. Cote. My favorite place in Tacoma is Point Defiance early in the morning, running, with the Deer, Red Fox, Raccoons, . . . in the thick thick forest.
Have you been there? Its heaven on earth and I can hear my Indian friends guiding me, a white woman, to the promise land.
24 | Posted by Kristin | Oct 29, 08:54 PM
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