Out and About in Fremont
 

Roughly 33,000 vehicles cross the Fremont Bridge every day. In addition to these, many bicycles and pedestrians make their various ways over our blue and orange span to and through Fremont. While the bridge is in good shape, busculing— its type— up and down as often as any in the country, its approaches are not. Seventy-eight feet wide by 534 feet on the north side and 124 on the south, the approaches are in such bad shape that they have to be replaced. $20.5 million has been earmarked for this work, with another $10.5 million to go for mechanical and electrical upgrades and to replace the existing shop on the north side.

Seattle Department of Transportation has been planning this for some time now, doing studies and surveys on the area. They spoke before the Chamber and held info sessions in the community. Closures and their impacts were discussed. The outcome: construction will last about 18 months, half below the bridge and the other nine months in actual bridge deck work; one lane in each direction will be kept open during construction. That means 50% of normal traffic flow. Congested, sure— but far better than 0% flow or total closure for up 18 months, as had been floated about, then sunk by a volley of objection from, among others, your Chamber.

Design work goes forward, with construction to begin in 2005. SDOT, which has listened attentively to community voices in planning this project, promises design plans by spring of 2004, at a community meeting.

—

a bit of history:
 

By the close of the 1960s what had been Fremont’s vital lumber industry was gone. Mills were shut down and the Fremont area had fallen into disrepair. Left behind was an odd mix of blue-collar workers, homeless, elderly residents, and students. And of course bars. Drawn into this mix by low rents were young entrepreneurs and artists. With them came the seeds of the counter culture that was to flower in Fremont. Art is often planted in poverty and watered by generosity. In Fremont the watering can was the Fremont Public Association, a service organization established to focus on the needs of the neighborhood. Building on funding from corporate and government sources, by1971 the FPA, under the leadership of Frank Chopp, had started two needed programs, a food bank and a job bank. The Fremont Fair also had its beginnings under the FPA’s broad umbrella. The Fair, known across town, became the focal event by which the neighborhood touted itself as lively, arty, quirky Fremont.

    With so many artists drawn to the area the time seemed right for a community wide oxymoron: an “arts organization.” Annabel Chotzen of the FPA started the ball rolling— the fire raging, the cork pulling, the gab going. She put out a call to artists in 1977. A gathering was held at the Fremont Library. A lively discussion ensued— no surprise. Somewhat more surprising, a set of by-laws was agreed upon. The Fremont Arts Council, from need, desire, and contention, was drawn into being. Its official purpose was (is)—
to support and encourage the arts and artists in the Fremont community and the larger Seattle area through education, endowment, and sponsorship of public art and arts-related projects, shows, and events; to represent the arts point of view to Fremont and the wider community so as to assist creativity and diversity; and to act as conservators for existing public art and related projects in the Fremont community.

(As with so many historical beginnings, there is an alternative version having to do with Ballard’s long-gone Owl Tavern and rowdy gatherings of Fremont artists, or good fellowship, depending on whether you were there or not. But that’s another story.)

By 1978, the FAC began its first project, “Waiting for the Interurban.” Thus was begun a long list of successful public art efforts that give tangible proof of Fremont’s funky arty reputation. Paired with Seattle Arts Council, Washington State Arts Council, and many others, the FAC has provided structure, energy and creative help to a whole range of community-based art projects, from FAC sponsored murals and theater productions, installations and exhibits, and more.  The Fremont Troll in 1989 became an ongoing monument to the reinvigoration of FAC. In the mid-90’s the FAC became independent of the FPA and stands on it’s own as a self-sustaining community based-arts organization. Key members come and move away, funding sources rain or dry up, still the FAC and its creations go on. The Solstice Parade, the Solstice Winter Feast, Trolloween each add their own special magic to the Fremont community year after year.
 

AND SPEAKING OF THE NEW/OLD PRESIDENT…
… he was— speaking, that is. Indeed Marko, taking off his President’s crown and putting on his Edward Jones investment counselor’s hat, which fits him very well, was the featured presenter at the Chamber’s first General Meeting of 2004. The presentation was entitled “Taxes-Schmaxes” and covered current tax laws and practical practices, especially as they relate to 401Ks and the related range of retirement and investment plans in which business owners and their employees might participate. The range of options was analyzed, discussed, and the factors that make one plan preferable to another, depending on differing business realities, were covered in detail. There were plenty of questions, and the interactions showed clearly that Marko was covering material of immediate interest and use to participants. No bells on that counselor’s hat of his.

The Red Door opened its door to the Chamber for an early morning meeting (8:00 AM). The staff soothed early risers with a classically delicious breakfast of eggs— Benedicted and otherwise— and go-withs. Coffee was popular. With breakfast as a solid foundation to a really insightful and useful presentation, it was a good morning and meeting all around. If you were miss this one, do yourself a favor and don’t miss the next.

WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?
General Meetings— every third Wednesday of each month, except December— are planned and organized to give Chamber members and guests something they want or need to hear about, from someone who knows what he or she is talking about. What is that “something” or who is that “someone” for YOU, your topic of interest. Let me know. Call the Chamber office at 206.632.1500.