The homecoming begins

Jo Ofsthus from “Bring Miss Liberty Home NOW!” says the recast statue is being installed right now, in advance of tonight’s event. Congratulations to her group for achieving its goal, even as “what happens with the statue NEXT?” remains up for discussion and decision. Jo says it’s essential for everyone interested in what happens next to be at the 7 pm Thursday meeting @ Alki Bathhouse — in the comment section following this post last Friday, she wrote that the agenda is expected to include:

-Holly Santos from Northwest Programs for the Arts with details on moneys raised/spent/remaining.
-Past history of statue and its sentimental value to the community/city.
-Future plans for the new plaza
It’s an important meeting and a chance to make your voice heard.

Two big events for everyone who cares about this half-century-old West Seattle icon — 6 pm tonight; 7 pm Thursday. Be there. 12:30 PM UPDATE: Jo shared with us a letter she was asked to write by West Seattle’s State Rep. Joe McDermott last month. It includes history, background information, and thoughts about the statue’s future:

August 20, 2007

To: Joe McDermott, State Representative, 34th District

Re: Alki Statue of Liberty

Joe, thanks for your interest in Seattle’s beloved Miss Liberty.

As you know there’s a controversy amongst the citizenry as to whether we want to create a costly new plaza for her or replace her ASAP on the existing base, spiffed-up.

After vandals had removed the arm, fundraising for recasting the statue began in early 1996,. This effort led by Tom Ansart of the now-closed Liberty Deli, raised enough funds so that a mold was created in October 1997 at the Fremont Fine Arts Foundry. The mold was displayed in the Deli in order to drive fundraising. Efforts to raise the needed $25,000 to have her recast flagged and in April of 2003 Northwest Programs for the Arts stepped in. NPA, staged the Alki Music Fest for several years to help draw funds for the recasting.

In late 2005 and early 2006, community meetings were held, and the community was presented with several plaza designs with an estimated price tag of $54,000, which included recasting, creating a plaza, adding personalized bricks, and maintaining the statue. In May of 2006 the community approved a plan based on consolidated sketches and the budget data presented at earlier meetings. When granting their approval, the Alki community attendees expressed their belief that $54,000 was an acceptable and attainable goal.

Subsequently, on June, 2006 the old statue was removed from Alki and shipped to Tacoma’s “Bronze Works” for recasting. The statue base on Alki has been topped with a plywood box since that time. The recast was completed months ago, and full payment made. NPA had indicated that May 2007 was when the statue would be returned. However, NPA ended their relationship with the Statue of Liberty project in early 2007; questions remain about funds raised.

A Phase II committee was formed by a local Alki couple in May 2007 to fund a new plaza, with a goal of raising $150,000. The Phase II Committee announced their intention to have the recast statue installed in the new, expanded plaza by July 4, 2008.

It is important to note that the plan approved by the Alki Community was for a plaza costing $54,000. Many in the community have expressed concerns focused on three primary issues:

  1. The plaza plan is different than what the community approved in 2006. Not only is the statue reoriented in a different location and direction, the design may create problems with maintenance and attract skateboarders.
  2. Ten years passed before adequate funds were raised to recast the statue; many believe that raising $150,000 in 6 months for the new plaza is unrealistic.
  3. According to the Phase II committee, throughout a year-long fundraising period (6 months for fundraising and up to 4 months for construction), the plywood box will remain on the existing base, while the community that supported and funded the Miss Liberty project is denied process. 

On Sept 11th, under the direction of Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen’s office and the Seattle Parks Department, Miss Liberty will be placed inside the Bathhouse on Alki, where she will be accessible to the public on a limited basis. Under the Phase II Committee plan, our Statue of Liberty will not be installed for at least another year. This is an “all-or-nothing” project.

Many in the Alki, West Seattle and broader community want the Seattle Parks Department to “spiff up” the existing base and return our Statue of Liberty now, installed with the 400 engraved bricks our community members purchased to fund the project.

If the city and Parks Department determine this action is not feasible, we suggest another alternative: stage construction as funds are raised. For example, attaining a figure of $X would allow the building of a new base and installing of the statue. An additional $Y would allow installation of engraved bricks. Lastly, and if needed at all, $Z would provide funds for benches and landscaping.

The community has submitted, in writing, four requests for a cost breakdown of the budget. Neither the architect nor the Phase II committee has responded to these requests. We remain concerned, not only about the new financial figure, but about the lack of response to honest and simple requests for information. 

We feel that the pattern established, and the growing controversy, calls for the establishment of an independent committee to oversee the whole project, including access to information, budgeting, time restraints, and so on.

The Parks Department is holding a public meeting on Sept. 13, 7:00 pm at the Alki Bathhouse to hear public comment, and they will be making a decision regarding the disposition of Miss Liberty thereafter. Ultimately the Parks Department is responsible for the cost and the maintenance of this project, as they have for 56 years, and this should weigh heavily in any decision about this project. Pamela Kliment, Neighborhood Matching Funds Liaison,

206-684-7556, is the Parks Department representative to contact for any further information you might require.

Joe, any help you might be able to provide to expedite the prompt return of Miss Liberty to her proper place – welcoming visitors to our shore – would be most appreciated.

Again, thanks.

Jo Ofsthus

1 Reply to "The homecoming begins"

  • *t* September 11, 2007 (3:23 pm)

    Hi, I just wanted to point out that Thursday evening is the Open House and Welcome Back evening at Holy Rosary School. So unfortunately all of us Holy Rosary parents have a prior obligation. We will look forward to the comprehensive WSB coverage we have come to expect from these meetings!

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