Excitement in the Neighborhood

Monday morning at about 3:45 AM, there was considerable police activity in the neighborhood.  The following note from the Olympia Police provides limited information on this activity.

Jerry Parker

------------
The Sheriff's Office was chasing a suspect in a vehicle. The person crashed and ran in the area of Farwell & Division. In the process of continuing to run, he unlawfully entered 3 homes or outbuildings. Our K-9 tracked him and he is in custody for the Sheriff's Office charges and warrants as well as three additional burglary charges that will be referred to the prosecutor.

Boys and Girls Club Forum Planned

The Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (of which NWONA is a member) has organized a series of forums on neighborhood issues.  The first of these will focus on the Boys and Girls Club facility planned for construction adjacent to Garfield School.  That even has been  tentatively slated for Monday, August 27 at 6:30 - 8:30 PM at City Hall

Skills Exchange

Calling All Do-ers, Repairers and Makers!!

 

 

Transition Olympia is sponsoring RE-SKILLING events at the Love Our Local (LOL) Fest as well as the Olympia Village Building Convergence (OlyVBC).  We seek local folks who have a skill they’d be willing to share.

 

At LOL on August 19th from 1-9pm, near the San Francisco Bakery:  Offer a brief (30-60 minute) presentation one or more times during the day.  This could also be a prelude to a more extensive workshop during the VBC or later in the year as part of a Re-Skilling Fair. 

 

At VBC the week of August 19^th-25^th:  Offer a more in-depth workshop, where folks get hands-on practice learning the skill.  These workshops would need to be free-of-charge, in the spirit of VBC.

 

Re-Skilling Fair:  We are in the beginning stages of planning a more extensive program for later in the year.  More to come…

 

Skills run the gamut, from drop-spindle wool spinning, to cob construction, to darning socks, weaving baskets, making a mason-bee house, filtering water, buying and using hand tools, making soap, etc… anything that contributes to our resilience and interdependence, as individuals and as a community.

 

If you or anyone you know would like to participate and help build our local community, please complete the attached survey.  For more information contact Gita Moulton at gitamoulton@earthlink.net.

 

Look forward to hearing from you!!

 

 

Neighborhoods Gain Powers

The City and the Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (CNA) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding that makes neighborhoods major players in formulating and implementing City policy.  This agreement assures neighborhood association (like NWONA) a voice in code enforcement, neighborhood planning, City personnel recruitment and selection, and many other aspects of City government affecting neighborhoods.

Unfortunately, I am unable to post the pdf. to this blog.  If you would like to view the agreement, send me a note.

Jerry Parker
jerome.parker@comcast.net

High Density Corridor in Neighborhood Future?

As most residents know, the Comprehensive Plan is being updated by the City.  To many, this may be as exciting as watching paint dry.   Neighborhood engagement often occurs in opposition to a specific proposal, e.g. the Boys and Girls Club proposal for the ballfield or the 7-Eleven at Harrison and Division.

The Comprehensive Plan provides an opportunity to look ahead.  The current draft from the City has one particular provision that should get attention from this neighborhood: the proposal for a high density corridor for 1/4 mile on either side of Harrison.

The following excerpt is taken from the draft:

Over time, areas near certain major streets will change from areas dominated by strip commercial development and other low intensity uses into ‘urban corridors’ with a mix of high-density uses where people enjoy walking, shopping, working, and living. ........These corridors, first described in the 1993 Thurston Regional Transportation Plan, should include supporting land uses such as community centers, day care centers, social service offices, educational functions, and parks and other public open space.....

• A compatible mixture of housing, such as apartments and townhouses, within or near commercial uses
• Excellent, frequent transit service
• Housing and employment densities sufficient to support that transit service
• Wide sidewalks with street trees, attractive landscaping, and benches
• Multi-story buildings oriented toward the street rather than to parking lots
• Parking spaces located behind the buildings or in structures

Slightly less intensive land uses at the fringes of the corridors will provide for a gradual transition from the intense activity of the major street edge to less dense areas about one-quarter mile from the main street.

(A map of the proposed corridors: http://olympiawa.gov/plans/comp-plan/~/media/Files/Plans/Comp-Plan/focus-areas.pdf) 

This excerpt and additional details can be viewed at: 

http://olympiawa.gov/plans/comp-plan/land-use-and-urban-design

City staff is currently revising the initial draft in response to public comment.  A new draft will be issued July 6.  Hearings on the new draft are scheduled for July 23, 25, and, if necessary, July 26.  

For more details, visit the Imagine Olympia web site: 

http://olympiawa.gov/imagine-olympia.aspx

Neighborhoods Gain New Role in City

A recent meeting between the City Council and the Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (NWONA is a member) established new roles for neighborhoods in the setting and implementation of City policies.  FYI

NEIGHBORHOOD UNIVERSITY – GRAFFITI PREVENTION

NEIGHBORHOOD UNIVERSITY – GRAFFITI PREVENTION

Date: June 6, 2012

                                                                                                                                          

Released by:

·         Amy Stull, Community Programs, Olympia Police Department

·         360.753.8049

·         astull@ci.olympia.wa.us

Neighborhood University Focuses on Graffiti Prevention

Neighborhood Associations and Block Watch Groups are invited to a Neighborhood University focused on graffiti prevention. Learn more about what you can do, what the City is doing and what other neighborhoods have done to battle taggers. This two-hour session will feature information about the problem, prevention tips, advice and materials for cleaning and time to talk to others about sharing resources.

When: Saturday, June 23^rd from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM

Where: City Hall, 601 4^th Ave E, Room 207

No RSVP is necessary. If you are interested in the subject but not affiliated with a neighborhood group, please contact Amy Stull at 360.753.8049 or astull@ci.olympia.wa.us for more information.