HomeMy WebLinkAbout99-020Resolution No. ~9- ~ 2 ~
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
SUPPORTING THE WASHINGTON STATE PARKS COMMISSION'S CAPITAL
BUDGET RECOMMENDATION FOR FORT WORDEN STATE PARK, INCLUDING
THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW MULTI-PURPOSE DINING AND MEETING
FACILrrY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND RENOVATION WORK
The City Council of the City of Port Townsend, Washington, does resolve as follows:
WHEREAS, Fort Worden State Park is the cornerstone of the tourism economy for
Port Townsend and Eastern Jefferson County. Fort Worden provides essential recreational and
cultural amenities, including housing Centrum, a nationally recognized center for arts and
education; and
WHEREAS, Fort Worden State Park serves the recreational and cultural needs of
residents living throughout the State of Washington. In 1998, Fort Worden hosted 149 major
conferences, 225 family reunions, 83,420 overnight visitors to the conference center, 46,290
overnight visitors to the camp and moorage area, and 1.6 million day visitors to the park
complex. Fort Worden is unique among Washington's State Parks -- with approximately $4
million in annual gross revenues, Fort Worden is nearly self-supporting, verging on making a
profit for the State Parks system; and
WHEREAS, in 2002, Fort Worden will be 100 years old. As Fort Worden
approaches this important milestone, it is important to recognize that Fort Worden's long-term
success is jeopardized by deferred maintenance and deteriorating and sub-standard public
facilities. Fort Worden has two significant needs to ensure its ongoing vitality: continuation of
efforts to protect and restore the Fort's buildings (designated National Historic Landmarks);
and the construction of a multi-purpose dining and meeting facility; and
WHEREAS, as early as 1972, and again in 1990, management plans and reports have
recommended the construction of the multi-purpose dining and meeting facility, to meet the
growing needs of daily and overnight visitors. The record clearly shows that Fort Worden's
ongoing viability will require the construction of this facility; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission's Capital Budget
Request for the 1999-2001 biennium recommended that the Governor and the Legislature
appropriate $7 million for historic preservation work, and $7 million for the construction of
the multi-use dining and meeting facility; and
WHEREAS, in contrast to the Parks and Recreation Commission's Capital Budget
Request, the Governor's proposed budget seeks only $3 million for Fort Worden, confming
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the request exclusively to building renovation work. While the Port Townsend City Council is
well aware of the difficulty in balancing competing needs and demands upon limited State
financial resources, the needs identified in the Parks and Recreation Commission's Capital
Budget Request are substantial. Further deterioration of the Fort Worden facilities, and
additional deferral of capital investment needs will only aggravate existing deficiencies, and
ultimately cost Washington's taxpayers additional funds in future years,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council for the City of Port
Townsend, that the City Council requests that the Washington Legislature approve a biennial
budget including all funds necessary to protect and preserve Fort Worden's historic structures
($7 million) and replace the deteriorated, substandard dining facility with a multi-use dining
and meeting facility ($7 million), as recommended by the Washington Parks and Recreation
Commission.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend and signed by the Mayor
on this 15th day of March, 1999.
Forrest Rambo,~ Mayor
Attest:
Pam Kolacy, City Clerk
Approved as to Form:
i~
ty Attorney
3/10/99 CA§tim\Res{ ftworden.doe }
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