There are obviously many questions as to how to use a potentially vacated marine terminal area and they can't all be answered here. The article simply advocates removing the cargo terminal and its associated activities from this particular site, and I've noted my whole-hearted agreement below. That doesn't mean that non-polluting activities, such as teaching the craft of wooden boat building, couldn't have a home here. A fast passenger ferry (catamaran) is another option. And activities like saw-milling could certainly move to another Port location, say around New Market. The point is to create a higher and better use for this area that is compatible with the needs of a growing population. The waterfront of Olympia is much more economically important to the City than it is to the Port, which should remain in the business of marina management and can pursue industrial activities elsewhere.
To my way of thinking, the Marine Terminal doesn't add economic value; it extracts it. For example, the export of raw logs creates no value for the South Sound. It simply puts money in the pockets of the timber owners when local businesses could instead be creating all sorts of added value with this resource. Why are we exporting timber and wood-related jobs, and importing construction materials, when we could be developing a strong local building-materials sector here? The Pacific Northwest is one of the world's most important timber growing regions. There is huge potential for the growth of this sector locally, with wood products such as cross-laminated timber and windows and doors. To call people "anti-industry" because there are better uses of this port area is absurd. There are simply better places for heavy industry away from our waterfront.
Finally, I don't agree that this area north of the Farmer's Market is appropriate for housing (south of the market - SOMA? - ok, but not north. This area should remain public.
Please explain the inappropriate content below.
