July 20, 2008
Sunday

The Ketchikan Gateway Borough's recent decision to move their offices to the White Cliff School building is welcome news: the historic building's place within our City is well worth retaining. However, it should be remembered that the White Cliff School as a building AND as a site are public assets. The recent removal of the A-Frame by Dawson Construction has opened up a substantial quantity of land for use by the public. It's to be expected that a portion of the former playground area will be turned into parking for the building's inhabitants: However, this also provides the community an opportunity to create a new green space, a park within our extremely busy city.

Where the Downtown and Bear Valley neighborhoods have the nearby City Park and the Carlanna and Baranof areas have Alder Park, the residential neighborhoods between those areas are sorely in need of a green space. With its central location, the White Cliff School site is perfectly located to accommodate this need. In addition, Borough Staff, off-duty fish processing employees, and several nearby churches would certainly enjoy a quiet area for relaxation. This would also make a nice segue between the industrial area of Tongass Ave. and the neighborhoods above.

This is also an opportunity to glorify one of our public structures: too often Ketchikan's buildings are towers within a sea of asphalt (see: the Federal Building, Plaza Port West, etc.). An inviting public space located adjacent the Borough Offices is ideal for the body that has within it the Parks and Recreation Department.
We live within a rain-forest: let's take this opportunity to let some green into a busy industrious city. Nothing major just something nice. Our town is in desperate need of more visually appealing spaces.

Brandee Walker
Ketchikan, AK

Received July 19, 2008 - Published July 20, 2008

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