PEOPLE'S CENTER TOWN HALL February 2019
On February 21, 2019, a town hall meeting was held at People's Community Center. Hilltop residents were invited to comment on plans and the public services of the City of Tacoma, Tacoma Public Library and Metro Parks Tacoma.
Overview City of Tacoma's District 3 Councilmember Keith Blocker hosted the town hall alongside Shon Sylvia of Metro Parks Tacoma and Kate Larsen of Tacoma Public Library. Approximately 60-70 Hilltop residents attended and amplified their voices on critical issues impacting this neighborhood's quality of life. The facilitated town hall included opening remarks by all 3 hosting entities who have a vested interest not just in the Hilltop neighborhood, but also in the People's Community Center. City of Tacoma owns the building, Metro Parks Tacoma operates the facility and Tacoma Public Library provides services at the Center. The consulting firm of Colemon and Associates moderated the public forum component and breakout sessions. Councilmember Blocker opened the meeting with remarks about his and the City's commitment to the Hilltop. Shon Sylvia commented on Metro Parks services at People's Center. Lastly, Kate Larsen introduced herself and offered context about the former Hilltop library and future feasibility study. The public forum portion of the meeting included an open format where questions and comments were addressed in real time by the hosting institutional leaders. Comments and questions pertained to library services, Center programming and facility conditions.
Public Forum
CITY OF TACOMA Recurring themes that surfaced in residents comments and questions to the City of Tacoma were: regarding income and a growing lack of affordability, housing and amenities. About seventeen (17) residents offered the following responses to questions posed: What would make the Hilltop the most livable neighborhood? Historical home preservation, affordable housing, public housing/community services, investment in land trusts, digital inclusion, banking and financial capability services, citizen participation in decision making, participatory budgeting, public restrooms between 9pm-6am and investment in cleaner air. What is the story of the Hilltop that you hear yourself telling most often? Poor Black men are no longer welcome, lots of culture, businesses that are being invested in do not reflect the residents, work crews had diversity, it is conveniently located, residents take care of each other, but need resources. What role should the City play to make Hilltop the most livable neighborhood? Stop talking about a library and build the plan for it, offer a job program, highlight stories of Hilltop businesses like Bob's BBQ and HUG, new developments should include existing businesses so that they sustain, especially at City Center, free library, reparations, partner with other institutions to build a new community center.
" new developments should include existing businesses so they sustain, especially City Center . . . ."
METRO PARKS TACOMA Five (5) individuals participated in the Metro Parks breakout with the following responses: What is the story of the People's Community Center that you hear yourself telling most often? People's Center used to be the Malcolm X Center, it has been removed from the fabric of this community, the mural is done by local artists, People's is a rental facility for people from Federal Way and Gig Harbor, there are so many inequalities, there has been little change to People's Center in 30 years, and we need ways to incorporate the past into today. What role should Metro Parks play in making the Hilltop the most livable neighborhood in Tacoma? Create a dog park, look at the community as a whole and not waiting until people are pissed to address problems - be proactive not reactive, provide more open spaces, and moral respect to the community. Are there examples where Metro Parks has not kept its word to this community? MPT staff stated it could report back to community more often and that an issue could be how they translate information. Residents stated that MPT says it wants to listen but it has not been done and that Hilltop has not been prioritized. It was asked "why call it a community center when its not?" It is mainly a rental center. Comments and feedback related to strategic actions. MPT's quadrants mean Hilltop versus NE Tacoma; tap into neighborhood associations in each quadrant; community needs survey with a public health lens; who is being polled - people that live here have not been asked.
" put me in charge of my block and I will make sure as many people come out as possible!"
Transform = Transparent
TACOMA PUBLIC LIBRARY 15 residents provided comments, concerns and posed questions to the leadership of Tacoma Public Library. The primary question answered was "What is the story about the Hilltop Library that you hear yourself telling most often?" Comments were: kids stated they want a safe space for homework and computer access; gathering space for community; sense of grief and loss-not being valued by the City; from the beginning these libraries have been inferior; first encounter was the Hilltop Festival, saw neighbors coming together to celebrate; during the recession job centers were put in libraries; tax help and artwork from local youth in libraries. In the open forum, Kate Larsen stated that Tacoma Public Libraries will conduct a feasibility study of libraries services on the Hilltop. In the breakout, this comment was referenced and the question was asked, "how will community be involved in the feasibility study?" The response was that it would be up to the consulting agency that is engaged to do the study. Additional comments: consider using the City of Tacoma's equity index and a steering committee of community members who engage in the development process. Participants also spoke to the new library kiosk plan: libraries are common good and have community value; library should prioritize staff that speak different languages also have interpreters; need a library with a more central location, risk of kiosk is that it may be all that is given; if nobody uses the kiosk it will be an excuse not to give library versus if kiosk is so used, a new library won't be given; kiosk hinders preparation of the future of kids; consider an ORCA pass kiosk to purchase/upload money.
" . . . is experiencing a sense of grief and loss . . . we are not being valued . . . ."
CLOSING
Councilmember Blocker closed the session by thanking everyone in attendance. He encouraged residents to stay involved and stay tuned in to the efforts of all 3 institutions - City of Tacoma, Metro Parks Tacoma and Tacoma Public Libraries.Â