Eureka's South Entry Project
I saw a show last night on one of those public access channels. It was a presentation about Eureka's South Entry Project. Some of you have likely seen the proposals for a Willits type sign in front of the Herrick Avenue overpass. I might not have seen mention of that sign in the 20 or so minutes I watched, but I wasn't much impressed with some of the rest.
Seems to me this project is going way beyond just a sign. They were talking about planting trees (not that we don't have enough trees already) and even changing the freeway design, the purpose being to slow cars down as they enter Eureka. They even have a map made up. It shows the area in front of Kmart having 4 accidents in the last three years. A real bloodbath, huh?
Sorry. I don't see any problem with the speed limit on South Broadway as it is. We certainly don't need to make it take longer to get from one end of Eureka to the other. Most people are passing through, you know? It's as if this project has become more of a front for progressive "change" ideas such as tree planting, traffic calming and giving the people working on the project jobs rather than just a pleasant greeting for people coming to Eureka.
I don't mind the sign idea. We don't need the trees. The traffic calming suggestions are a solution in search of a problem. Anything more than just the sign is going beyond what's necessary, at least from what I've seen so far. Even the sign itself- considering we'll likely be paying more than it's really worth- will be like putting lipstick on a pig. You can't hide Eureka behind a sign.
posted by Fred Mangels @ 9:22 AM
11 comments
11 Comments:
The overhead freeway sign is a terrible idea, but I don't have any brilliant ideas myself.
I do think a series of Flatmo creations along the freeway is a better idea than planting redwood trees.
"I do think a series of Flatmo creations along the freeway is a better idea than planting redwood trees."
Yeah. I like that idea, or any kind of sculptures as long as they're kinda offbeat.
Some here may recall the scrap wood and driftwood sculptures that used to sit north of Eureka, across from Jacob's Avenue. I thought those were really neat.
I don't know anybody that didn't like them, except for whoever at Murray Field complained because of the one depicting a plane crashed into the mud. They complained and all of them were taken down, or so I heard.
Art would be great, but please no more Flatmo. Eureka is not his personal gallery. Lets recognize the hundreds of other talented artist we have. enough Flatmo already, even Lost Coast got smart and changed their Great White label.
1) You can't have too many trees.
2) I LIKE the idea of a Willits-style archway.
3) Whatever they do will be an improvement.
"You can't have too many trees."
Yeah. Perfect for hiding the homeless camps.
AS I was driving down broadway I really did see that trees would improve the viewscape. Not a grove of trees, but a row lining the roadway. Research has shown a direct correlation between poverty and a paucity of trees in urban areas.
I like the south entrance as it is. It's open and green. It's gets ugly after you are in town. If we have to have some kind of 'sign' then commission the person who does the metal art on display between Broadway and the Lost Coast Brewery. Tall metal Redwood trees would be cool. Then add some drought resistant plants.
" Research has shown a direct correlation between poverty and a paucity of trees in urban areas.".
That's a bunch of crap, at least what they're trying to suggest is. The relation between less trees and poverty is simply because poorer people don't have the money for tree planting projects.
They need to bypass EureKa completely, it's ugly, and dirty and takes FOREVER to get from one end to the other
Maybe the sculptures could be kinetic sculpture related?
"They need to bypass EureKa completely, it's ugly, and dirty and takes FOREVER to get from one end to the other".
Agreed, although I'm not sure how they could bypass it in practical terms. Regardless, we shouldn't make it even harder to get through town.
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