Happening tonight: Statue of Liberty plaza fundraiser

With less than three weeks to go till their fundraising deadline, Seattle Statue of Liberty Plaza Project organizers Libby and Paul Carr are gathering supporters and donors tonight at Duke’s on Alki (as first announced in a Dec. 3 e-mail). KIRO Radio talk-show host Dave Ross is billed as MC; at one point Mayor Nickels was expected to attend but had to cancel, according to an SSLPP spokesperson. New city parks superintendent Timothy Gallagher is still on the guest list, however; he’s already been to West Seattle at least once, as noted during our coverage of the Parks Department’s business-plan public-input meetings last month. In an update added to the comment thread of this post, Libby Carr reported last week that they hope to raise $60,000 more by the January 15 deadline; at least one major donation is expected to be announced tonight. The size and scope of what will be installed around the statue (last discussed in a September 13 public meeting) will depend at least in part on how far the fundraising goes; the SSLPP website has more details on the various ways they’ve been soliciting donations.

Goody December 27, 2007 (12:14 pm)

At least at King TV, they are using a picture with the restored arm. I thought it was a pretty low blow to use a picture of the damaged statue. Very good PR, not very good ethically in my humble opinion. There appears to be a pr person in place.
So is it still a $150 to attend or can the riff raff walk in for a gander? I read in that the $150 was a mistake but and I saw a printed piece saying it was $150.00.

GenHillOne December 27, 2007 (2:07 pm)

Interesting that the Dec. 3 email notes that Duke suggests guests bring a $150 donation but the link above doesn’t. Matter of fact, it has “FREE” in big caps – is it still a fundraiser?

coffee geek December 27, 2007 (3:31 pm)

“60K more” for a plaza with statue. Amazing. If you have the extra scratch, may I suggest a $150 donation to the local food bank or the humane society? Perhaps a $150 micro loan to an entrepreneur in a developing country?

Goody December 27, 2007 (3:38 pm)

How about $150 to a developing entrepreneur in West Seattle. Whatever, it is on every radio and tv station and yes, they were charging $150.00. Now you just buy a brick for $150.00. Hey, at least they have someone who helps them get press. Zero comment on the issue. It appears they want to do this all over the country.

David December 27, 2007 (8:35 pm)

I think the folks who are heading this project up are working their tails off to see that they are covering every possible way to get the word out. I applaud them and support them. The statue at Alki deserves the plaza that is proposed and I think there are plenty of West Seattleites who can give a little (or a lot) to see that this happens. There are many good causes out there to support and I’m sure those willing to give to this cause do their share to help other organizations as well.

Steveed December 28, 2007 (4:45 pm)

Wouldn’t it be better to donate money to people who actually need it? I have no objections to statues, but a “Mini-Me” statue of liberty? What makes the original in New York impressive as sculpture is the size and location. The tiny crowned miss on Alki just looks silly. Create something new and fresh that is unique to Seattle for arts sake.

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