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The renovations and recycling of buildings should be accompanied by historical markers and information about the property. Most of the young people in our communities have no idea about what has happened right where they have grown up. People don't remember that Heron Street use to be a redlight district and that during WWII the South Aberdeen bridge had a Gunnery Station to protect it's harbors. Our infamous past, major shipping port and a prosperious logging industry make Grays Harbor a culturally rich area. Oregon does a wonderful job with historical markers along the coast. Each significant or interesting event or building is marked to inform visitors of what happened years ago, right where they stand today. Local families could educate their children on Sunday drives or stop to take a look at the newly renovated buildings creating awareness and ownership of their own communities. Through historical sites and buildings, community members recalling days gone by, and citizens sharing stories and experiences, all will help bring about a resurgence of pride.

Tourists stop at the buildings, attend a play at the Elma Theatre, D&R or the Mork hotel and leave with a visual memory of amazing buildings and the history that goes along with it. Recalling a town or community they visited on a trip and sharing that history with a family member or friend will generate a buzz increasing interest to visit our area. Grays Harbor County is working hard to build economic development and growth. Hopefully with bright future and strongly represented past Grays Harbor County can transform not only industry and buildings, but a sense of pride. Brenda

The Morck Hotel and the D & R Theater
The Morck Hotel and the D & R Theater are two historical sites that I can not wait to see fixed up and operating again. The Morck used to be a very fancy Hotel and restaurant in her day and now the new owner also wants to have little shops in with the hotel. This would be a great commons for people not only visit but to see how the hotel used to look in 1924. This would also include Doormen , Bell hops and waitresses wearing kilts.






John Yonich is going to bring back the D & R Theater as it was in the 1920s-era. He wants to be able to have the theater hold live concert style events. Along with this he wants to set up a miniature sized Pike Place Market along side the D & R. This would bring back a commons area that Aberdeen has lost and is now in hopes of getting back.







Connie


Carla is it OK If I cut and paste your attachment in to this document? --Kari
Most definately Kari -- please feel free to cut and paste whatever works from my information.





Grays Harbor provides visitors a wonderful gateway to our coastal community. The local history of the area can not be missed as a traveler arrives at the city limits with the welcoming Rotary log building and waterfront park. Along the way there is a variety of statues and sculptures that remind us of our rich timber history and we have a panoramic view of the fishing industry from the bridges. Sadly, the buildings in our community do not reflect the pride we take in our community. From the wilting General Store in Oakville, to the lemon eyesore of the Morck hotel in downtown Aberdeen and the now nearly condemned Elma Theater, there is a need for our aging buildings to either undergo massive reconstruction or demolition. A few of the local buildings are so rich in local history that community members may feel strongly attached to them almost like members of their family. And some of the community movie theaters are rare historical gems that reflect the beauty and grace of a time when people gathered in a common area.

This is an excellent opening paragraph. I can't wait to see what Stacy has put together for the Elma Theater. I grew up in Elma and still reside there. The Elma Theater (once was Graham theater) has definitly lost its luster. Even in the late 80s and early 90s the theater would be packed on movie nights. It was the place to be and now. If productions are still being done, nobody knows about them. It would be great to find a way to get the citizens more involved in restoring the old buildings in this county. Darcy


The two pieces of property that would be nice to see recycled are the old Safeway building and the LaVogue Department store. They are adjacent properties located in downtown Hoquiam, on Simpson Avenue. The department store is in the process of closing. It is owned by the Bitar Family of Hoquiam. The bicycle shop in one portion of the building is still open and there are offices above the store. The old Safeway building is owned by Mark Swanson a local businessman. When it came up for sale several years ago it was purchased by the Swanson brothers so that another grocery chain could not go in and bring competition to their business which is located two blocks from the site. The Safeway building is currently for rent. The Swanson brothers were very supportive of the new YMCA project.
One idea for utilizing these buildings is an art commons. The vision includes an area where musicians could gather and play unamplified music, a pottery area with kilns, a silver smith/metal working area, fly tying, spinning yarn and knitting, painting, poetry reading and writing, and a coffee area for socializing. There could be a room for meetings, demonstration and lessons. Local artists could mentor new artist. This would bring people together and promote artistic growth in our community there are many craftsman in our area. The commons could be supported by membership much like the YMCA. Grants could be written to get some need repairs and restroom facilities. There could be a gift shop for artists to place their work and a portion of the profit could go to the commons. This venture would also bring people to the down town area and could possibly support an art store, the 7th street theater and local restaurants.

The historically renovated Hoquiam library is just 2 blocks away. The library has meeting rooms that could support activities such as author hours, book signings and writing workshops. Also within walking distance is the former Eagles building. It has recently been renovated and is ready for a restaurant and shops. There is a walking path behind these buildings that is a loop that circles the two bridges and connects these buildings with the farmers market and the Eighth street landing. It would be a great place to meet with friends.

When transforming buildings and areas in a community it's important to remember they belong to the community. With the ownership comes challenges regarding what should be changes or renovated. Take for instance the process to purchase the old Hoquiam Auquatic Center. Much thought, planning and public relations are needed to help smooth the transition. It's important to include fostering support and acceptance of the changes within the community. Sometimes people are so unsure of any change they would rather see a building stand vacant and useless than used for something they don't believe in.
Brenda






The Safeway store and parking lot next to LaVogue's.
















The Hoquiam Aquatic Center was purchased three years ago by a private enterprise. The pool was in not in good condition and could no longer be used as a community pool. There is a business occupying the upstairs balcony area. How to best use the pool space is the question. Because of the extra high ceilings and after consultation with experts, it appears the best way to heat the area is to install radiant heat in the floor before the cement is poured. Existing natural gas boilers can be used to provide heat for the radiant floor. Access to the main space is via a twelve by fourteen foot roll up door in the rear of the building. This newly installed door allows for large trucks and trailers for deliveries and shipments.

The main floor also includes two locker rooms complete with bathrooms and showers. A lobby and entryway are additional besides the stairway. Two storage rooms and a small laundry room complete the main floor area. The second floor is only accessible by the stairway. There is over eight thousand square feet on the main floor and an additional three thousand square feet on the second floor.

It is located centrally in the downtown corridor of Hoquiam.

The question now is what is a good use of the space. Would it be a good area to develop for community activities? Warehouse storage? Business development? Expansion for growth of the current business that occupies the building? Roller rink?



This is the former aquatic center from the street side showing the front entrance.













This is the pool that is filled in with rock and topped with dirt. It has not yet been covered with cement. The plan is to install radiant heat in the floor. It is too costly to heat from the top because the ceilings are twenty two feet high.













The second story balcony meeting room overlooks the pool area. The big green pipes are the air circulating ductwork.











Intro sentence for the work that Carla did and has attached to the bottom of the page goes here ? What do you think? Or perhaps after the Elma Theater piece below ?









Cool info on Elma Theater here :)

It's complete and attached at the bottom - I couldn't get it to cut/paste and format correctly. Sorry I'm techno challenged. Stacy


























During the restoration of historical buildings, the labor of love can become a heartache when the project is managed poorly. Cost over-run, volunteers, contractors, safety codes are just a few of the issues that can make the project a nightmare. Everyone loves the nostalgia of our older buildings in Grays Harbor. Sadly, decay and structural damage may prevent some of them from being preserved in their original design. The ReStore in Olympia, WA may have those rare items that add that special finishing touch to a building restoration. Here is a brief tour of the Restore that demonstrates the variety of materials available.



An interesting article about building restoration in general--http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Building_restoration


Social data indicates that people are withdrawing from public commitments opting for a more solitary life style. What would it take to bring the people of our community together for the common purpose of adaptive re-use? Other cities have developed strategic plans for economic development and revitalization. There are individuals and small action groups in our community with dreams for the restoration of these historic buildings. The time for preservation or demolition is now.

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