Since comments are arriving to my email and not appearing on this site, I am simply creating a letters page to air opinions and suggestions received. These are unedited and may have errors if I could not read the handwriting! Keep them coming!
Thank you
With whale watching facing more restrictions, a theater with holograms of our local whales and educational films, lectures, classes, …. would be a positive attraction/extension of the nature/maritime culture we embrace. I’d also like to see more and affordable space for marine trades entrepreneurs. These vocational careers are in need of nurturing spaces. A humble Hostel would also speak well of the Port’s support of students and graduates of our art, woodworking, & boat building schools and mission to foster new economic development in alignment with our local culture. Marine Trades offer living wages, many tax dollars, and foster innovation. A Native center would also be appropriate inline with expanding public education. All new “development” should be first, restoration and updating of existing structures, and if new structures, nothing big, nothing that would overwhelm the limited infrastructure and all in line with the current maritime/historical designation. NO boutique hotels or casinos or convention centers! And finally, the CITY needs to address parking problems. This is not the job of the port. We need tasteful, strategically located, and effective parking solutions or tap the breaks on attracting more outsiders. “AEB”
A bunch of folks have told me they would like to see a small boat DIY launch with a davit for small trailerable boats. Ideally there would be an affordable fenced storage area for those same boats. It would facilitate easier access for day sailors, get more people out on the water more often (such is the culture here) and generate storage revenue or annual passes. Point Hudson needs to satisfy public use with revenue to help maintain it. Right now the RV’s are the main income stream. I’d like to see fewer RV’s too, especially on the point, making that area a really nice park and of course, a more beautiful boat festival area annually.
Julie J. says:
A park..not RV park on the point. Tides, spit, bird migration; set the rhythm. Human history is interesting but first comes the natural functions and flows of all things non-human. Then let’s plan to fit the rest in with respect and intelligence.
Marian (?) says;
Point Hudson should be a public recreation area for every one – especially residents. It should not be just for out of town visitors. – There should be visible evidence of Native history. We know that the S’Klallam were evicted unjustly and they should be invited back with some significant presence – a shellfish place is one option. – Do not build a steel (possibly referring to the combi wall) breakwater…it does not fit in. – Stop armoring the shoreline- this is causing erosion and it currently obstructs the beach access for the public. It is unsightly and damaging the environment.
-John’s (?) wish list:
“A boardwalk around the harbor so people don’t have to walk on Jackson.
No RV’s on the point. Restore with native plants and grasses.
Reduce the traffic along the beach side by having cars park where the north group of RV’s are. Return that road to nature and walking paths.
A seafood market.
Native History kiosk.
Make the entrance to Point Hudson and beautiful environmental and nature statement, not the current asphalt and RV park.”
Point Hudson is… “Where my family lived in 1959. The Coast Guard was stationed there and my dad was the Port Engineer. Doc’s Marina Grill was our home for four years.” Note left on our Elevated Ice Cream display March 2019.
Point Hudson is… “Home! It is the place that I think of when I am away, and one of the first places that I go to when I come back. I Love Point Hudson! Note left on our Elevated Ice Cream display March 2019.
Comment: It would be a shame if Pt. Hudson were to become a Hyatt resort or Disneyized and I’m unclear on just why it has to make the Port money beyond its maintenance costs, which in fairness should be shared by the city & downtown merchants since Pt. Hudson is a visitor-draw. It could perhaps become more of a draw if its east-side slips were to become a wooden boat harbor ala Pelican Harbor in Sausalito in the `60s & `70s (or a Good Boat harbor?). If you are unfamiliar with Pelican, let me know and I’ll share a WoodenBoat Magazine piece on it. It was mighty special, quite a special, wholesome attraction, a mini version of the PT Wooden Boat Festival year-round, the boats selected by jury to be included, berth rents the going rate. I’d keep the short center floating dock a service dock for Sea Marine, the sail loft, riggers, etc., and the long west float as it is, for the Martha, Hanke’s boats and visitors, and create a summer mooring field around the corner along the city-front with a dinghy dock inside the Pt. Hudson entrance, perhaps encourage a launch service. Overnight visitors who MUST tie up more than 15 minutes to let gramma off might be directed to Boat Haven berths. Ashore at Pt. Hudson, preserve & de-stink the old frame buildings; move RVs to the back-40, put a bit more parking for the harbor somewhere and make the current RV area make into park with a few covered picnic tables on its rim, view benches, a quieter place for all, a big clear lawn available for staging events on the water like small-boat regattas. By all means, let’s keep the loft, Sea Marine, riggers, and new enterprises maritime-related! No taffy & wine shops! Lets have a little class f’krissake, an area residents want to use, not every blessed thang in town for tourists! Whose town is this? BT of Port Townsend, March 1st 2019
Point Hudson Is... 