The City of Tacoma’s Landmarks Preservation Commission is scheduled later today to hear from University of Washington Tacoma officials on a revised plan to place purple and gold flag-like banners with the school’s name and logo on historic buildings throughout the downtown campus.
In January 2009, the commission rejected the original plan, which would have placed 19 flags 11 feet high and three-and-a-half feet wide on 14 buildings. Approximately $10,000 was set aside for the project. The application was submitted to the landmarks commission because the campus, which stretches between South 17th Street and South 21st Street, is sited within the Union Station Warehouse Historic District.
The flags aim to help identify the campus and instill pride in the campus community, according to UW Tacoma Director of Facilities and Campus Services Milt Tremblay. Tremblay presented the idea, including images of what the campus would look like with the new flags, to the landmarks commission during its Jan. 14, 2009 meeting. He added that the project was the idea of University of Washington Tacoma students.
“This came out of the students’ desire for increased campus identity,” he said. “There really isn’t anything that says ‘University of Washington.’ We wanted to start identifying the campus.” Tremblay added the budget may not fund all 19 flags, and the presentation was designed to give commissioners an idea of the overall concept.
But some commissioners were concerned the flags would create visual clutter, and installation could damage the buildings. They also worried about the durability of the flags and how often they would be maintained after showing signs of wear-and-tear.
“The sheer number of flags is overwhelming,” said then-commissioner Greg Benton. “I understand the students’ desire, but there’s got to be a better way.”
“I also agree this has become cluttered,” said then-commissioner Fred King.
Commissioner Ken House was concerned that mounting aluminum poles to hold the flags could damage the exteriors of university’s historic buildings. “If they can’t attach to masonry joints, it’s not acceptable.”
The commission encouraged Tremblay to meet with students to re-think the plan and return with other ideas.
“I’ll take it back to the students and we’ll look at some options,” said Tremblay during the January 2009 meeting.
In a Sept. 21, 2011 letter submitted to the commission, Tremblay notes, “In response to the commission’s concerns, we have reduced the number of banners along Pacific Avenue by 50 percent (from 10 to 5) and reduced the total number of banners from 19 down to 9. In addition, we have committed to providing durable banners and establishing an internal account for their replacement as they show wear.”
Tacoma’s Landmarks Preservation Commission is scheduled to discuss the issue during its meeting on Weds., Sept. 28 at 5 p.m. in the Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market St., Room 248. For a copy of the agenda and meeting materials, visit http://cms.cityoftacoma.org/cedd/TacomaCulture/Historic/2011/documents/LPC_Packet_092811.pdf .
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19 new flags planned for UW Tacoma campus
Tacoma Daily Index | Jan. 8, 2009
By Todd Matthews, Editor
The City of Tacoma’s Landmarks Preservation Commission is expected to hear a presentation Jan. 14 to place 19 flags bearing the University of Washington Tacoma logo on 14 historic buildings that comprise the downtown campus.
“These flags will help identify the campus in the region and help instill pride in the campus community,” says UW Tacoma Director of Facilities and Campus Services Milt Tremblay in a design review application submitted to the city’s historic preservation office.
According to the application, flags will measure approximately three-and-a-half feet wide and 11 feet high, and will be placed on the Tioga, Science, Dougan, Joy, Cherry Parkes, McDonald & Smith, Pinkerton, Walsh Gardner, and Mattress Factory Buildings, the Longshoremen’s Hall, and the main academic building. The project will cost $10,000.
The application was submitted to the landmarks commission because the campus, which stretches between South 17th Street and South 21st Street, is sited within the Union Station Warehouse Historic District.
The landmarks commission is scheduled to discuss the application during its meeting Jan. 14 at 5:00 p.m. at the Tacoma Municipal Building North, 728 St. Helens, Room 16.
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Back to drawing board for planned UWT campus flags
Tacoma Daily Index | Jan. 15, 2009
By Todd Matthews, Editor
The City of Tacoma’s Landmarks Preservation Commission this week rejected a plan to place 19 flags bearing the University of Washington Tacoma logo on 14 historic buildings that comprise the downtown campus.
According to the plan, which was detailed in a design review application submitted to the commission, the nylon flags would measure approximately three-and-a-half feet wide and 11 feet high, and would be placed on the Tioga, Science, Dougan, Joy, Cherry Parkes, McDonald & Smith, Pinkerton, Walsh Gardner, and Mattress Factory Buildings, the Longshoremen’s Hall, and the main academic building.
Approximately $10,000 was set aside for the project. The application was submitted to the landmarks commission because the campus, which stretches between South 17th Street and South 21st Street, is sited within the Union Station Warehouse Historic District.
The flags aimed to help identify the campus and instill pride in the campus community, according to UW Tacoma Director of Facilities and Campus Services Milt Tremblay. Tremblay presented the idea, including images of what the campus would look like with the new flags, to the landmarks commission during its Jan. 14 meeting. He added that the project was the idea of UWT students.
“This came out of the students’ desire for increased campus identity,” he said. “There really isn’t anything that says ‘University of Washington.’ We wanted to start identifying the campus.”
Tremblay added the budget may not fund all 19 flags, and the presentation was designed to give commissioners an idea of the overall concept.
But some commissioners were concerned the flags would create visual clutter, and installation could damage the buildings.
“The sheer number of flags is overwhelming,” said commissioner Greg Benton. “I understand the students’ desire, but there’s got to be a better way.”
“I also agree this has become cluttered,” said commissioner Fred King.
Commissioner Ken House was concerned that mounting aluminum poles to hold the flags could damage the exteriors of university’s historic buildings. “If they can’t attach to masonry joints, it’s not acceptable.”
The commission encouraged Tremblay to meet with students to re-think the plan and return with other ideas.
“I’ll take it back to the students and we’ll look at some options,” said Tremblay.
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http://i.feedtacoma.com/TDI-Reporters-Notebook/19-new-flags-planned-uw/
