Harold M. Tollefson Square ( 5. August 2006, 10:37 by Derek Young) ~
We finally get used to the existence of Pacific Plaza downtown, when we see that a new name may be up for consideration. The proposed new name: Harold M. Tollefson Square. Who’s Harold Tollefson? He was a three term mayor in the 50s and 60s that helped create the current city manager system in Tacoma. Some seem concerned about the name because it doesn’t roll off the tongue. Personally, I feel that we can get used to it. We live in the land of Sequim and Puyallup after all. Tollefson Square seems no worse than Trafalgar Square. My concern is whether this name, in this prominent public space, should represent the new and emerging Tacoma.
Link to Tacoma City Council Agenda for Aug 22 (pdf)
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Tollefson Square doesn’t sound any worse than Rockefeller Center or Piccadilly Circus.
Don’t we have bigger fish to fry?
2 | Posted by Michael | Aug 5, 02:11 PM
Yeah, there’s bigger fish than the name itself but the process of determining the name is the rub. We should be able to have more open forums than just a city council meeting to get together and brainstorm on this kind of stuff. Seems like the web is the place to start it up. If the plaza/square is a community place the process to help shape it should be more community-focused as well. The name is where it starts followed by ideas for additions and events that happen there.
Kicking things off with the public spaces meeting was a good start but I don’t want to see the involvement end there.
3 | Posted by KevinFreitas | Aug 5, 04:00 PM
Actually, I do think that the final name of Pacific Plaza is pretty important.
Its not an alley or small street.
The plaza is located right in front of the convention center and is designed to be one of the centers of activities for Tacoma.
If the plaza is successful, the name of it will be referred to often by Tacoma residents and visitors alike.
Finally, it is not often that there is an opportunity to name such a place. Whatever name is chosen should be a good one.
I have two issues with the name Tollefson Square:
1) It is uninspiring.
2) It is not square.
5 | Posted by Marty | Aug 6, 04:45 PM
Pacific Plaza is the ideal description. It celebrates the renaissance of Pacific Avenue as a destination. Let it be.
6 | Posted by Marilyn | Aug 7, 11:37 AM
For what it’s worth, I agree with Erik’s two points. And while I think it’s appropriate to recognize post-Sprague Tacoma city leaders, wouldn’t most people think it’s named after one of the current prominent (or non-prominent) Tollefson’s? I guess that’s always happens – like in Fife, how everything’s Dacca this, and Dacca that (sorry, John). Never a worry with my unusual last name.
7 | Posted by Dave L.(1) | Aug 7, 03:24 PM
“Pacific Plaza is the ideal description. It celebrates the renaissance of Pacific Avenue as a destination. Let it be.”
Sorry, but I just don’t get it! How does Pacific Plaza celebrate a renaissance? It sounds like a strip mall/shopping center to me.
ie: Hey mister, is there a Safeway at Pacific Plaza? No, that’s a couple blocks down on Union Avenue (for example).
8 | Posted by Michael | Aug 7, 04:03 PM
Maybe it’s Tacoma’s turn to call something “Towne Center” or Centre. Or Tollefson Pointe, for that matter.
Egads, I’m just kidding! (It’s been a long day.)
9 | Posted by Dave L.(1) | Aug 7, 05:25 PM
“Sorry, but I just don’t get it! How does Pacific Plaza celebrate a renaissance? It sounds like a strip mall/shopping center to me.”
I guess it’s all about your personal filters. I haven’t spent much time around strip malls, so the term plaza makes me think of a public square in a city. Downtown Pacific Avenue (our city center) is experiencing a renaissance so the two terms complement each other.
10 | Posted by Marilyn | Aug 7, 10:42 PM
One reason I like Pacific Plaza is that has a descriptive name as it is on Pacific Avenue. Freighthouse Square has this benefit as well.
For the many people coming from the convention center and (hopefully) visiting the city in the future, I think this is a significant benefit.
There is also the issue of Pacific Plaza having already been named and had an official opening ceremony. Any effort to try to change the come name of the Plaza may not work.
The council will vote on the matter later this month and will look for public input until the hearing.
Right now, the question is open.
1) Should the area continue to be named Pacific Plaza?
2) If the name should be changed, what is the best name for the area?
I do understand the above comments and see the validity of the thoughts.
However, I tend to be the devil’s advocate and will put out there that Pacific Plaza could just as easily be located way out in East Tacoma, the Lincoln District, or even in San Diego for that matter.
12 | Posted by Michael | Aug 8, 09:06 AM
A place can have more than one name.
There is a popular bridge “up North” officially called “The Governor Albert D. Rosellini Bridge at Evergreen Point.”
However, everyone calls it 520.
13 | Posted by morgan | Aug 8, 10:14 AM
Morgan is so right. At the end the day, a name is just a name. How we use the space (and subsequent nicknames that develop) will determine it’s identity. Pacific Plaza, Tollefson Square, Satan’s Skillet, Salmon Steps, it’s all good.
Anyone remember Henry M. Jackson International Airport?
14 | Posted by Marilyn | Aug 8, 10:32 AM
The name will be whatever people refer to it as. True. But why not try to figure that name out first then name it that. Why should an official name differ from how’s it’s referred to by real people in real life?
15 | Posted by KevinFreitas | Aug 8, 12:53 PM
At the end the day, a name is just a name. How we use the space (and subsequent nicknames that develop) will determine it’s identity. Pacific Plaza, Tollefson Square, Satan’s Skillet, Salmon Steps, it’s all good.
I do think we could live with whatever name was chosen. However, that still begs the question of what is the best name for the area.
Since the area has already been named Pacific Plaza, is there a sufficient reason to change it? If so, to what and why?
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