I've come to the conclusion that giving a certain block in downtown Astoria it's own name is really just a temporary convenience. Once the block has been turned into a central park or garden square the importance of a name will evaporate. It's just so cumbersome to have discussions about what to do with it right now because you have to call it something to clearly identify it.
You could call it the 12th and Duane block I suppose but then people might think of the Liberty theater, or the Elliott Hotel or the Bankers Suite that used to be a Day Spa and before that a part of Hunts Home Furnishings for a brief period instead of our central hole in the ground that was a Safeway Store next to the American Legion building and across Exchange from the Senior Center that was once Hunts Home Furnishings before Hunts moved to the old Astoria Public Market building which used to be the Police and Fire station but is Roby's now. You have to have lived here at least 30 years to follow what I've just wrote. There are a lot of places in town that require some personal history to describe accurately.
We had a similar problem with the Flavel buildings. Before anyone realized who owned them you would have to know that the Shipyard tavern is across the street from what used to be the Benjamin Franklin Savings which was next to the old Szenders Mens Fashions until Szenders moved across the street to the now abandoned storefront and Sears moved into Szenders old spot until Sears moved to Marine Drive. Lazlo Szender, by the way, was a tailor from the old country who could make a beautiful suit from scratch. That's a skill set we've lost.
Back to the point. All you have to say to most folks today is the Flavel buildings and they know what you are talking about.
Naming the Safeway/American Legion Block is important for communication and it's somewhat important what that name is. I have no problem dedicating the entire block to the Legion. They've earned it many times over. The Safeway name has to go away because Safeway is not a active community partner and simply hasn't earned the recognition. So until the City Council comes up with a new name I will refer to it as just the Legion Block. Period.
So next up a few thoughts on what might work on that block and why moving the Garden of Surging Waves there just isn't appropriate.
You could call it the 12th and Duane block I suppose but then people might think of the Liberty theater, or the Elliott Hotel or the Bankers Suite that used to be a Day Spa and before that a part of Hunts Home Furnishings for a brief period instead of our central hole in the ground that was a Safeway Store next to the American Legion building and across Exchange from the Senior Center that was once Hunts Home Furnishings before Hunts moved to the old Astoria Public Market building which used to be the Police and Fire station but is Roby's now. You have to have lived here at least 30 years to follow what I've just wrote. There are a lot of places in town that require some personal history to describe accurately.
We had a similar problem with the Flavel buildings. Before anyone realized who owned them you would have to know that the Shipyard tavern is across the street from what used to be the Benjamin Franklin Savings which was next to the old Szenders Mens Fashions until Szenders moved across the street to the now abandoned storefront and Sears moved into Szenders old spot until Sears moved to Marine Drive. Lazlo Szender, by the way, was a tailor from the old country who could make a beautiful suit from scratch. That's a skill set we've lost.
Back to the point. All you have to say to most folks today is the Flavel buildings and they know what you are talking about.
Naming the Safeway/American Legion Block is important for communication and it's somewhat important what that name is. I have no problem dedicating the entire block to the Legion. They've earned it many times over. The Safeway name has to go away because Safeway is not a active community partner and simply hasn't earned the recognition. So until the City Council comes up with a new name I will refer to it as just the Legion Block. Period.
So next up a few thoughts on what might work on that block and why moving the Garden of Surging Waves there just isn't appropriate.
The key words here and the crux of it all, in my opinion are....."American Legion" and "Block" that is causing all this sandbagging on the old "Safeway Property" which, by the way and again in my opinion, should simply be called "Astoria City Plaza".
ReplyDeleteWhy is the "American Legion" group "Blocking" movement on this site and what is it going to take to get it moving?