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Serving Orcas, Lopez and San Juan County
WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2015 VOL. 48, NO. 10 75¢ islandssounder.com
Artworks makes fundraising goal
After a devastating fire in 2013, the building is on the road to recovery thanks to community donations
Amy Masters photo
Spring season is here
Viking sports preview – Page 8 and 9
The following is from the Olga Strawberry Council Board. We said a donation of any size would put us over the top, and it did. Amounts from $20 to $9,000 coming from as close as Olga and as far away as Delaware, with Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Missouri and Colorado in between, helped us reach our goal of $30,000 in order to receive matching funds from a wonderful anonymous donor. Since the fire in July 2013, a total of 172 individuals responded in monetary kindness toward our mission to restore the building. This, to us, is astounding. We want to sincerely thank our letter writers: Tom Welch, Rick
Orcas Road project reaches the preliminary design phase by CALI BAGBY Assistant editor
Safety, biking and preserving the rural nature of the island were all issues discussed at the San Juan County Public Work’s recent open house at the fire station on March 3. This was the second public meeting held to discuss the alternatives being considered to improve safety on Orcas Road between Nordstrom Lane to the north of McNallie Road. The project is scheduled for 2016 or 2017. Russ Harvey, Public Works operation manager, said the main components for the new road are safety considerations, better approaches from side roads and space for bikes. According to Shannon Wilbur, project engineer, Public Works is at the end of the preliminary design phase of what the new road will look like, which concluded after islanders voted on four different plans. You can view those options that were not chosen at sanjuanco.com/PW/ docs/CurrentBidProjects/Open_House_flyer.pdf. Fifty percent of voters chose the option two – curvilinear. “We really wanted to improve sight distance, in spots you can’t see enough to make informed decisions,” said Wilbur. “The curves are also banked too much, causing you to slingshot.” Construction will last about four months in the summer of 2016 or 2017. Wilbur said construction has to occur when the roads are dry. “I am excited about having the ability to have a bike and pedestrian route,” said Orcas Councilman Rick Hughes at the meeting.
Hughes, Paul Losleben, Boyd Pratt, Emily Reed and John Evans, who revealed some remarkable history, as well as economic and emotional value of the old strawberry barreling plant and its journey into the pages of what it is today. We are excited to be in the final stages of a very challenging but rewarding undertaking. During the month of March, the Orcas Artworks Cooperative, James Hardman Gallery and a sweet new cafe will be moving into their new spaces and opening their doors when they are ready some time in April. It will be one of the most joyous occasions we can possibly imagine. Watch for announcements toward the end of March. Thank you again for supporting the return of the historic Artworks Building and the artists and cafe it proudly and beautifully houses. We look forward to thanking you personally very soon.
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Above: The road in blue represents the existing road and the pink road represents the new option – curvilinear chosen by islanders.
The widening of the road is part of that, but Hughes said he hopes the rural characteristic of the road will not be compromised. “It’s a big project, and we want the community to be behind it,” he said. If you have missed the meetings you can send your comments to Wilbur at shannonw@sanjuanco.com.
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