Title
Review of Proposal for Historic Marker
Recommended Action
Move to recommend approval of the proposed marker for Howard Point to the Director of CPD.
Report Issue:
Whether to approve a proposal developed by local citizens and historians for the creation of a marker identifying Howard Point and sharing the history of the Howard Family.
Staff Contact:
Marygrace Goddu, Historic Preservation Officer, Community Planning & Development, 360.480.0923
Presenter(s):
Shanna Stevenson, local historian.
Background and Analysis:
In 2018, the State Board of Geographic Names re-established “Howard Point” as the official name for a point of land along East Bay Drive that juts westward into East Bay across from Swantown Marina. This point of land was named for the Howard Family, who owned that property and additional lands along East Bay after 1850, where they farmed and had a home. The name was in use through the early 1900s and then disappeared from official maps.
A history-minded group of local citizens that includes Ed Echtle, Shanna Stevenson and Thelma Jackson worked to document the historic name and bring it to the attention of the Naming Board, and they have subsequently developed a proposal for a historic marker to identify the Point and share its history.
The marker is proposed for placement in City right-of-way on East Bay Drive just south of the pedestrian crosswalk to Glass Avenue.
The City has developed a draft policy for reviewing and approving proposals for heritage interpretive installations on City property. The Howard Point installation proposal offers an opportunity to test the draft approval process. Commission input on the draft policy is welcomed.
The draft approval process calls for the size, design, and placement of an installation to be carefully considered by an internal group of city staff representing public works, transportation, planning, and engineering disciplines. The Historic Preservation Officer is designated as the primary point of contact and is also responsible for gathering the input and recommendation of the Heritage Commission, with particular focus on the proposed educational content.
The Heritage Commission is asked to provide input and a recommendation regarding approval, which will be included in the considerations of the staff review panel and forwarded to the Director of Community Planning & Development. The Director will make a recommendation to the City Manager for final approval. The City Manager may approve or may seek City Council approval if they feel it is merited. A copy of the draft review and approval process is attached.
The proposed language for the Howard Point marker is also attached for the Commission’s review and approval, and a representative of the proposing group is available to discuss the research and source materials that support the proposed text.
The proposing group has secured a Thurston County Heritage grant to support fabrication of the interpretive sign, and the City of Olympia has offered to install the sign pending approval of the site, design, and narrative and graphic content.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
East Bay Neighborhood, Downtown Neighborhood; general community interest.
Options:
1. Recommend approval.
2. Offer input or suggested edits and recommend approval.
3. Do not recommend approval.
Financial Impact:
N/A
Attachments:
Draft Review Policy
Proposed text
Graphics
Location