I’d like to correct a misconception that Jean Sherrard promulgated in his Now & Then column (“Past, present, future: Balancing safety and art at Gas Works Park,” Jan. 25, Pacific NW Magazine). He presents the current options on the table as “a seemingly impossible binary: leave the hazard as it is, or remove it entirely.” This isn’t the case at all.
The Seattle Parks Department has presented a well thought out middle path calling for the removal of all catwalks and ladders. The Parks proposal, presented to the Landmarks Preservation Board on Jan. 21, removes the most tempting climbing targets while retaining the bulk of the towers. Thus the park would retain the most prominent historical fixtures while greatly reducing the risk of injury and death.
The proposal was tabled by the Landmarks Board pending additional information from the Parks department. I’m hopeful that the additional information can be provided promptly and that the Landmarks Board will approve it swiftly to prevent any more tragedies at Gas Works Park.
Tim O’Connor, Seattle
