Friends of the Market Newsletter
July 2019
This month’s newsletter begins with a message from Friends of the Market (FOM) President Kate Krafft. Kate writes:
Invitation to FOM Members who May Wish to Serve on the Pike Place Market Historical Commission
The Pike Place Market Historical Commission is a 12-member commission responsible for the review and approval of all changes in use and design in the Pike Place Market Historic District. The Commission always includes two members drawn from the Friends of the Market. One of the two current positions will be open as of December 2019 and the other in December 2020. FoM is seeking individuals who may be interested in being nominated to the upcoming or future open positions. (Terms are for 3 years and members are often reappointed for a second term.) The appointments are made by the Mayor. We are required by City ordinance to provide the Mayor with a list of four (4) candidates to select from. For additional information about the work of the Commission and its meeting schedule please click here.
If you or someone you know may be interested in serving on the Pike Place Market Historical Commission in one of the FOM positions, please contact Vice President Carla Rickerson, cricksoner@gmail.com, or President Kate Krafft, krafft2@comcast.net, for further information. Thank you!
Nominating candidates for the Market Historical Commission (MHC) is one of the most important responsibilities of the FOM.
(To recap: the Ordinance creating the Pike Place Market Historical District and creating the MHC identifies specific groups whose profession or affiliation is seen to provide the experience and commitment best qualified to protect the Market. Thus, the MHC is comprised of two from FoM, two from Allied Arts, two architects, two Market merchants, two Market residents, one owner of property within the Historic District and one nominated by the MHC. The MHC applies Guidelines to each proposed change of use or design in the Market to assure that the Market retains its unique character.)
It is very important that FOM has four names to put forward to the Mayor for selection. Recently, Allied Arts had three candidates for an open position. One withdrew, but the other two were interviewed and approved by the Department of Neighborhoods. Their names were forwarded to the Mayor, but the Mayor declined to select either. In explanation, the Mayor’s Office quoted from the Ordinance that the “...Mayor shall make appointments of the representatives of Friends of the Market and Allied Arts from a list of four nominees submitted by each of the said organizations.“ Allied Arts is now in the process of finding two other people able to serve, while hoping that the two original candidates are still willing to be considered.
Volunteers for serving on Commissions are wise to have patience. The nomination/confirmation process has proved to be exceedingly slow. The MHC has been operating at less than full strength for well over a year. (Currently, there are eight members where there should be twelve.)
Even when the Mayor finally makes appointments, there can still be delay. Appointments for the open merchant and resident positions were made in early May. It is now edging towards the end of July, and City Council has not yet confirmed these mayoral appointees. New members cannot begin their service until Council confirmation has occurred: so we wait.
The effect of this delay?—important decisions are made by eight people where twelve voices are meant to be heard.
There is also the very real possibility that, as they wait, people who were willing to serve find other causes to claim their dedication or they experience life changes that make them reluctant to start. Then the search must begin all over again.
Showbox Update
On July 17th, the Landmarks Preservation Board (LPB) voted unanimously to grant landmark status to the Showbox’s exterior building, especially the main entry on First Avenue. Also mentioned was the entire second floor, particularly the tulip pillars and the stage. In explaining its reasoning, LPB members cited architectural and cultural aspects of the Showbox, but did not go so far as to call out its importance in relation to the neighborhood.
The meeting was well-attended by a wide variety of people, from history buffs to architects, from musicians to those with warm personal memories of the venue. FOM Advocacy Committee Chair Sara Patton was particularly inspired by the number of young people enthusiastically supporting historical preservation. She said it reminded her of her own involvement with the “Save the Market” efforts which she joined in her early teens. It is good to see such passion alive and well in a new generation!
However the LPB’s decision, by itself, does not save the Showbox as an entertainment venue. This will best be accomplished by finding a buyer/developer who will commit to preservation of that use. Friends of the Showbox is still pursuing such an outcome, and welcomes all who are interested to help.
Marvin Oliver
It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Marvin Oliver. Marvin, a professor emeritus at the University of Washington and an internationally exhibited artist who worked in many media, had a special connection to the Market. Marvin worked with Victor Steinbrueck on the concepts for the totem poles now standing tall in Victor Steinbrueck Park. He selected the cedar trees from the Skagit National Forest from which the poles were carved.
Marvin came to a MHC meeting to talk about totem poles. He told of their celebratory nature, how they were often carved for a particular potlatch or person. He explained how the Market poles were commissioned by Victor Steinbrueck: one to honor Native people and the other to honor the Market’s farmers.
Marvin talked of the generosity of spirit among the native tribes, sharing and exchanging their goods and culture. His comments reminded us that, as with all peoples, no one individual’s opinion is representative of the varying opinions present within the whole group. How lucky we are that he chose to share his insight and wisdom! Click here for Marvin’s March 14, 2018 presentation to the MHC.
Coming Market Event
Amid all these serious considerations, the Market is still the Market, where, on any given day, the unexpected can happen. So, on August 31st, anyone who visits the MarketFront will see—GOATS! Market farmer/crafter Kathleen Nece, of Stone City Farm, will be bringing a few of her four-legged friends along when she comes to teach, step-by-step, how to make natural goat-milk soap. Along with their new skill, each class participant will take home two pounds of freshly-made soap. Click here to register for the class.
112th Anniversary Reflections
In response to the June newsletter, long-time Market advocate Billy King (whose mural “Market Memories” can be seen on the cement wall in the open area known to the buskers as “the cave”,) sent the following comment:
“By the way, the newsletter doesn't use the term Public Market. Is that by accident or design?”
As we approach the Market’s 112th anniversary on August 17th, Billy’s comment is a timely reminder that the Market does, indeed, belong to the public: not to the City Council or the Mayor, not to the Market’s current PDA Management or MHC. All are stewards of the Pike Place PUBLIC Market, now and for future generations.
Happy 112th Anniversary to the Pike Place Public Market!
As always, questions, comments and suggestions are welcome at my email address below.
Written by Christine Vaughan, cvaughan44@icloud.com
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