Admiralty Audubon vs Port Townsend's Poplars

The Valentine caper, what became the purloined poplar heart petitions (see more info below), had, in just a few hours, garnered numerous names and comments, to retain the architectural and historic 150+ poplars along Sims Way. 

But it turns out no amount of public comment to any electeds can bring a change to this ill conceived project unless it is abandoned and resubmitted.  And here is why.  This plan was conceived in Aug 2021 by the City, Port and PUD staff. In Sept 2021 the City staff presented a $100,000 Public Infrastructure Fund (PIF) grant proposal to the City Council which approved it. The three agencies then went to the County in Oct '21 combining their PIF grant requests totaling ~$2M in “free” County infrastructure tax money;  the County committee granted them $1M.  But that money was based on and limited by conditions outlined in the scope the staff had written - the removal of all the poplars.

This week PUD manager Streett indicated the utility lines could be undergrounded without removing the poplars, but the PUD would lose its share of the grant if it did not follow the original grant conditions, removing the poplars; same for the City. The Port would retain its share for the expansion - no trees involved.

What we just learned is that part of the rationale for the original $1M grant was to promote tourism. Really. Removing the poplars and putting in a sidewalk was, said County administrator McCauly, considered an economic benefit by the granting authority - a way to promote tourism. We're not making this up. What we know as the historic seaport with its iconic poplar-lined entrance of the last 100 years has been determined to not be tourist friendly.

To access the PIF grant and retain the poplars the agencies must submit  a new proposal to the County demonstrating support for jobs and the economy, leaving the poplars in place - a truly beautiful gateway for the future.