Tacoma Urbanist
Mar. 30, 2008 at 12:08am
Councilman Tim Farrell: Friend of Downtown Tacoma?
Pierce County often seems remote to Tacoma, especially to downtown Tacoma.
The county's actions over the last 40 years of building endless county roads subsidizing remote suburban developments has helped facilitate the disinvestment in Tacoma as well as a host of other environmental problems.
However, according on Google maps, Tacoma is indeed located within Piece County. It's true.
Even more important, downtown Tacoma is located within County Councilmember Tim Farrell's constituent area in district No. 4. Thus, the position plays an important part in the success or failure of the city.
... ..
Tacomans have to give Farrell an "A" for effort at least.
He has shown up to at least two "Take Back Frost Park Events" Downtown:
I think Tim realizes, however, he has a ways to go in being a skilled downtown urban advocate. Cities simply have different needs than counties to survive and flourish.
Fortunately, Tim has downtown Sensei urban architect David Boe to help him build and hone his skills:
(Tim Farrell and David Boe. Here, Farrell passes his first test by showing up in an urban park for lunch in the midst of sleet and snow umbrellaless)
Here are other actions Tim has taken to bring his urban skills up a few notches in time for the next election:
1) He has a copy of Jane Jacobs book : Death and Life of Great American Cities (which I understand has not quite finished yet.)
2) He has posted comments in Tacoma's blogosphere.
3) Tim has attended both "Go Local or Die" events at Veritas.
4) He has pledged to do what he can to replace or destroy the blightful North Park Plaza Parking Garage.
The County has a large effect on the City of Tacoma including how people are processed and released from the county jail and keeping Tacoma from receiving no more than its pro-rata share of felons located (dumped?) here from the DOC.
Tim is well on his way.
Tim's attendance at the upcoming Kunstler's event on 4/23, may be the apex of his urban training.
 by Erik on 3/30/2008 @ 12:03pm | Bonus picture from last week: |
 by andrew.austin on 3/30/2008 @ 6:07pm | He is also supportive of Transit and Steetcars
blogs.thenewstribune.com/bus/2008/03/19/... |
by Erik on 3/30/2008 @ 8:29pm | AA: Do you think Pierce Transit could be a viable partner for a streetcar network in Tacoma? TF: Yes, of course! blogs.thenewstribune.com/bus/2008/03/19/... Hmm. You are right. |
 by solriou on 3/30/2008 @ 9:54pm | Tim is also working to support homeowners going off the grid making decentralized solar and wind power possible in Tacoma. Pretty cool ... |
by Erik on 3/31/2008 @ 4:37pm | Tim is also working to support homeowners going off the grid making decentralized solar and wind power possible in Tacoma. Pretty cool ...
Interesting. Thanks for the info. |
by Erik on 4/5/2008 @ 6:01pm | Tim tells me he has now bought a ticket to the James Kunstler event on 4/23 from the Broadway Center. Pretty impressive. Now if he can just get through the Jane Jacobs book. www.amazon.com/Death-American-Cities-Mod... |
by Erik on 7/2/2008 @ 1:10am | Alright. Time for an update on Tim 7/2/2008 based on the above.
Tim's attendance at the upcoming Kunstler's event on 4/23, may be the apex of his urban training. Tim was one of the few politicians to attend the Kunstler event. Farrell has also attended more "take back Frost Park" and Frost Park Chalk Offs than any known politicians. Now if he can just get through the Jane Jacobs book. Unknown if he has finished it yet. |
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A ongoing conversation to make Tacoma a better to live and work through better urban design.
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-Erik B.
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