2013/03/13 Council Agenda Packet

1950s section, there was a display with some personalities, and Stan Boreson was there. He was in the Everett High class of 1944. His audience was children, but he was still an entertainer for the region. Two years ago I was checking into a hotel in North Dakota and the clerk knew Stan Boreson had been from Everett. They have a big Scandinavian festival there and Stan Boreson goes back there and plays his accordion. I like "Theatre Plaza" and "Wetmore Plaza" equally. But if we are trying to look at honoring some of Everett's citizens, we could consider Stan Boreson outside the Children's Theatre. There's a connection there. That name might attract some press. Gene Fosheim: I would be on board with that. I still have my Stan Boreson's trophy and accordion which is 55 years old now. Dave Ramstad moved to close the public hearing. Jim Staniford seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Dave Ramstad: I like Barbara Lamoureaux's support for the "Wetmore Plaza" theme given that it locates the plaza geographically. We are a growing city with more to offer. We want to be a destination. We want people from out of town to come in to do the hockey game, do the theaters, do the art and beer festivals and enjoy our new Hewitt Avenue Historic District. So the Wetmore name appeals to me because I think it will guide people right to it. We don't have much recognition here about Charles W. Wetmore with his whaleback design, one of the first industries in the City of Everett. We know the street but we don't know the man. He was one of the benefactors of the Northern Pacific Railroad and the assistant to Alexander McDougall who designed the whaleback freighter. "Wetmore Plaza" would be good use of one of our city founder's name and a locator for our theaters. Gary Meisner: I am going to speak in favor of the name "Theatre Plaza." I understand that we have more than one theatre, but there is only one plaza that is near a theatre. The fact that 25 years from now we may have another theater with a plaza does not strike me as a reason to reject "Theatre Plaza." That name works best from a branding point of view. It tells us where the plaza is, which is in conjunction with the theaters. As far as Wetmore is concerned, he has been honored by a street five miles long. To just say "Wetmore Plaza" would hardly narrow down the location. Speaking clearly from a marketing and branding point of view, I speak in favor of "Theatre Plaza." Bobby Olsen: I would second that. I think from a branding point of view, it would create a theater district. Because it is located between two theaters makes it even more appealing. My vote is for "Theatre Plaza." Neil Anderson: For those reasons, I also like "Theatre Plaza." Jim Staniford: When the new municipal courthouse on Wetmore is completed, there will be a small plaza out front. I don't want to confuse the general public about where the theater plaza is. I don't want people showing up at municipal court thinking it's the theater plaza. The word plaza comes from the Spanish word plattie which is typically a public courtyard in between two buildings and on a street, not with a lot of plantings and grass as you see in a normal park. Naming the plaza "Wetmore Theatre Plaza" would designate its location clearly. It could also be named "Theatre Plaza on Wetmore" or "at Wetmore." I am leaning toward "Wetmore Theater Plaza." Neil Anderson moved to recommend to City Council naming the new plaza south of the Everett Performing Arts Center "Theatre Plaza" with theatre spelled "re." Gary Meisner seconded the motion. Jim Staniford: Can we send two names to City Council? 4