HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/08/2025 - Regular - Additional Doc-Citizen Comment, McKenzie'Cape Cod Theme for Port Orchard - Grammarly
4/8/25, 5:35 PM
My wife and I moved here from Issaquah seven years ago for her work as a military
consultant. I mention this to assure you that the suggestions I am about to make are
observations with no nefarious agenda and no personal gain.
Throughout our seven years here, we have heard that there are plans to upgrade Bay
Street. Still, the theatre rebuilding and the large condo building are the only upgraded
buildings in many years. Vacant and recently torn -down buildings
signify a dying town
to our tourists.
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Like most cities, there is likely not much money in the towns o ajg o ners'
coffers for upgrades. Anything that is done as an upgrade would have to bone
inexpensively.
Let's face it: people are no longer flocking to malls, small towns, or strip malls.
However, have you been to Langly, Poulsbo, Leavenworth, or Solvang in California in
the past few years? They are busy with tourists buying their goods and services, and
they are certainly thriving. Port Orchard has a loyal antique -seeking clientele. We could
quickly become a destination city for many.
I suggest painting the facades along Bay Street with color combinations you see in
Cape Cod. Bay Street architecture lends itself well to a Cape Cod theme of white, light
blue, light and different hues of grey, with dark trim_ The buildings already have the
early "Americana" architecture that suits the motif.
Our town hall had just been upgraded to a Cape Cod look, and the rest of Bay Street
could follow suit. The proper color schemes for the stores on Bay Street would
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gape Cod Theme for Port Orchard - Grammarly
4/8/25, 5:35 PM
generate the nautical, antique feeling befitting our waterfront and the mosquito fleet,
creating a tourist revival.
Some would say this is like putting "makeup on a pig," covering the actual need to
repair and upgrade these buildings, and they would be correct.
Painting with a Cape Cod theme is the cheapest way to make our little nautical port
city a destination. It would move us toward more serious renovations, and revenue
would soar, creating the opportunity to update each building individually as needed.
I suggest putting together a committee to study this If this council hasn't already
done so, a professionally administered strategic planning meeting should be held to
create a 20 -year plan.
Otherwise, Port Orchard will become as soul -less as West Seattle has become.
Stan McKenzie
516 Harrison Ave
Port Orchard, WA 98366
425 577-2929 (please leave a Message)
stnthemckl@me.com
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