Saturday, July 17, 2010

Thanks to those who have made kind comments for my efforts to get the Truman Waterfront project going. We have waited eight years for progress to be made on our "Central Park," while the bureaucrats, committees and commission continue to churn over and over as to what we should have. We could have the park segment now. The answer is straightforward. Plant grass, some trees, and benches and cut the grass twice a month.

This could be done at minimal cost. I would bet volunteers would be willing to drive the mowers. We could at least take our families to an area where we could picnic, play games, recreate and have events such as music in the park, display art, etc. I am sure the locals will think of ideas to put the open space to good use. There is already plenty of parking.

Most of the property in its present form is not usable due to rock, marl and no place to sit or get shade. We seem to have no problem in creating small pocket parks throughout the city, yet our prime piece of real estate designated for that purpose remains fallow. The old Navy generator building could be used to display items, artifacts, photos and historical collections relating to our history. The building could also be used by maritime tradesmen to demonstrate many of the various skills relating to historical boat building, ropes, mercantile, sails, cannery, nets, maritime art and other trades by some of our talented individuals.

Large photos hanging from the ceiling would display our past. The facility could also contain a small snack bar for visitors. Costs for this can come from grants and funds already set aside for infrastructure at the waterfront. We don't need to go out and buy the Secret Garden when we can put the money to use on what we already own. We don't need to buy vacant land on Flagler Street. We don't need to wait for plans, permits, funding, referendums, forums and endless debates, which could take another three to five years -- not to mention massive construction and all that goes with that. The intent was to create a park for the citizens. Must we wait until the whole property is designed and decided on before we get to enjoy the waterfront?

All coastal cities and islands had their beginning through their maritime history: Boston -- New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Norfolk, Charleston, Savannah, St. Augustine, San Diego, San Francisco, and dozens of other cities recognize this and have created waterfront projects that celebrate this fact. Certainly Key West is no exception. This small island has a wealth of maritime history and, unfortunately, we don't promote this. The only access to this small island was by water for almost 100 years. The role of the Navy along with mercantile interests of Key West gave us our start. It is time to recognize our heritage and not just the party environment to the tourist. Heritage tours are one of the fastest-growing segments in the industry.

The latest ship, the Ingham, is not just another old ship. It is a national historic landmark, in addition to being an official national monument to those Coast Guardsmen who lost their lives from World War II through Vietnam. She is one of the most highly decorated ships in any of the armed services. Key West has only three national historic landmarks, Fort Zachary Taylor, Hemingway House and the Ingham.

A number of other places are listed on the National Historic Register, but do not have landmark status. The Ingham's connection to Key West is that she was a major player in the Mariel Boatlift in Key West in the '80s.

So let's get off our collective duffs and move forward now. Enough is enough. Let's just do it! What is suggested above will not hinder any future plans, as nothing new is being built on the property.

Bill Verge is a former city commissioner and executive director of the Miami-Dade Historic Maritime Museum, which owns the USS Mohawk Maritime Museum and USCGC Ingham Maritime Museum.