Written by I was advised via email today that some Hazen High boosters have requested that our new Hazen Water Reservoir be painted in Hazen’s colors. We assume from the request that this might include the desire for Hazen’s name as well.
While Council has not formally heard this item ( or discussed it) it seems like a neat idea to me.
However, we have only budgeted and scheduled a standard paint job, and city taxpayer funds would not be justified for a special paint job. So we would really need someone with private funding to step forward to make up the difference in cost.
And at this point, I don’t think we know what the cost is.
Anyone interested in this proposal should launch an immediate pledge drive, to see how much money can reasonably be raised… and try and provide this information to us by our Monday Council Meeting. There probably are Hazen Alumni in our community that would help with this, but they would need to be contacted fast, as the standard painting will happen soon.
I would be happy to post contact information for anyone running such a drive, if you would like to comment below.
As the mayor says in his email below, it is not clear whether the timing can work out on this. So please do not assume we can make this work. But at least some of us, and maybe all, are willing to discuss it.
Here is the email I recieved today on this topic.
From: Julia Medzegian [mailto:Jmedzegian@ci.renton.wa.us]
Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2008 10:58 AM
To: Denis Law; Gregg Zimmerman
Cc: Abdoul Gafour; Jay Covington; Marcie Palmer
Subject: Re: Water Reservoir
FYI, Marcie plans to take the letter she received and walk it on the floor on Monday’s Council meeting for a referral to the administration.
Julia
>>> Denis Law 10/1/2008 10:42:35 AM >>>
Gregg,
Marcie Palmer and the council have now received a letter from Eric Carlson requesting city support for painting the new water reservoir colors that match Hazen High’s school colors. It’s my understanding that you are determining what additional costs, if any, would be involved if we use their requested colors. And I understand there may be a significant up-charge if any logo or lettering is included.
We also need to know what triggers the necessity to include the Municipal Arts Commission in any final plans.
I want us to move this forward quickly so that there are no expectations that cannot be honored. First, as I mentioned earlier, the city has NO resources to apply to this project above what has already been budgeted for painting the structure. I know this has been communicated to the school principal, but the message may have not reached the students. We need to pass along the information regarding any additional costs and the time schedule that’s in place for painting the reservoir.
Eric mentioned that they are willing to fund-raise for this project, but I suspect we are not in a position to postpone the painting until money is raised.
Please let me know our status and when you will be able to provide the school district with information for making a final determination on how we plan to proceed.
Thanks.
Denis
too much liability?
Didn’t the city have a bunch of high school artists involved in public art projects? Maybe they could sign a waiver to release the city from liability.
Re: too much liability?
That’s an awesome idea! The city should sign off on the design so it’s not too tacky…
just what we need – a huge water tower that sticks out more than it does already. It’d be better to paint it in colors to cause it to blend in, not stick out
i agree…and with hazen colors! no thanks….please dont let the city do this. Not everyone is a hazen fan and wants to see a water tower above the city in those colors. puke!
Not the best idea.
Have to agree. Bad colors and a water tower should blend in, not stand out. And what about maintenance? Who’s gonna keep it looking good as it weathers over time and gets vandalized by Renton and Lindbergh?
if the whole painting the water tower hazen colors was actually brought up to the hazen population. people will be fine donating money. many have mentioned how ugly it is and since it is next to hazen it should have our colors/name/logo on it. it’s hazen teritory and there’s nothing wrong with it being hazen colors. renton and lindbergh has their own area.
Whatch what happens
Maybe, if the city doesn’t bend a little on this one, then a group of indivduals will climb the fence and tag the tower with their colors anyway.
Renton schools
Aren’t Hazen’s colors pretty close to the Seahawks?
I’m sure they can afford a few gallons of Goalpost Green and Budweiser Blue.