We sprinkle our lives with celebrations. Many, like birthdays and New Year, occur merely by the passage of time. Others, far more meaningful, commemorate profound effort.
On a local scale there perhaps should be more celebrations than there are and, I suggest, even celebrations for significant non-occurrences.
Consider pivotal non-occurrences for Discovery Park. Regrettably, the defeat of a proposed golf course provoked no celebration. Similarly, no festivities were held when a proposed expansion of West Point was shelved.
And most likely, no public jubilee will mark Capehart Housing not becoming a new development of private housing in the center of Discovery Park.
Seattle's largest park might have experienced years of constructing many single and multiple-unit homes with attendant traffic forever blighting its natural setting.
Joyously, last month this fate was averted by a multi-party agreement of understanding to transfer Capehart to our city's parks department. This non-development is as worthy a cause for celebration as any local event that actually happened. Alas, don't expect a gala.
Bolstered by public support, a number of heroes obviated that might-have-been future. Several, each for different reasons, warrant our commendation.
Discovery Park has neither a golf course nor a larger sewage plant due to individuals such as Bob Kildall and Ursula Judkins who, by their unswerving diligence, prevented those futures. Ursula has passed on; Bob has passed leadership on to others. Inspired by their example, a new generation assumed the role of citizen caretakers of Discovery Park.
One such individual, Philip Vogelzang, several years ago had the vision to raise the issue that Capehart Housing should someday become an integral part of the city's park. He was assailed by many who construed, wrongly, that the idea disdained our military service personnel and their families; on the contrary, Capehart residents have always been well respected, respectable neighbors.
Vogelzang brought Capehart to the consciousness of the public and our elected officials. By so doing, he cast the necessary foundation for response when, not long after, the Navy surprisingly announced Capehart to be surplus.
Our elected officials, at all levels, and their staffs responded to the issue with attention, effort and support in the way of political capital. Engagement with the cause came from all levels of elected government. Individuals are too numerous to list.
However, specific credit should go to deputy mayor Tim Ceis, who led the city's negotiation in Washington, D.C., and most successfully here in Seattle.
Public officials are usually maligned by one group or another on nearly every issue. Rarely do they receive expressions of gratitude for what they try to do - or even when they succeed. Capehart should be one of those exceptions.
Two other parties were vital. One is the Navy. After negotiations with their developer, the Navy became a minor partner in their partnership. The subsequent agreement that was forged on Capehart surely had the favorable influence of Admiral Len Herring and Captain Dan Squires. Undoubtedly, these local officers representing the Navy's interests also conveyed the unusual sensitivity of the Capehart parcel.
Finally, and perhaps the key hero, is Katheryn Thompson, managing director of American Eagle Communities - the Navy's selected developer and majority partner for housing around Puget Sound. American Eagle is an out-of-state corporation that many assumed would have a detached, profit-maximizing priority in how they would handle their affairs.
The Capehart agreement would not have been possible but for Thompson and probably other officers of American Eagle. She and American Eagle fulfilled their corporate responsibilities, their contractual obligations to the Navy and addressed the strong local demand to maintain the integrity of Discovery Park.
Needless to say, such sensitivity by a private entity is refreshing and laudable.
Because all these individuals conscientiously and respectfully worked together, the Capehart agreement was secured. The Navy has continued use of Capehart until alternative housing becomes available. The city subsequently will acquire Capehart. American Eagle shall receive agreed-upon compensation for Capehart on behalf of the Navy.
Bob Kildall's dream, shared by so many, of an intact, natural Discovery Park continues to materialize. In 2004 the park acquired the lighthouse and then attained the Capehart agreement.
The agreement still must be consummated with funding from many levels - community, city, county and state. So readers, do voice your support to realize the necessary funding, because apathy now could undo Capehart.
In lieu of a celebration, voice your appreciation to the above for their diligence and the manner by which they forged the Capehart agreement. Public praise for the Capehart heroes is the very least we lucky citizens can do.
Steve Erickson is a Magnolia resident. You can write him at mageditor@nwlink.com.[[In-content Ad]]
