Demolition blues

Despite summer’s beauty and hanging flowers, the changes are painfully obvious anywhere in the downtown area. Robust activities and dirt removal. Tracks pulled and buildings erected. Empty storefronts and crowded street markets. Building up and tearing down.

No where is this more clear than on the Palmer Library site, smack dab in the middle of town. This well loved structure is in the demolition stage. And the “Demolition Blues” is a deep depressive emotive state. It’s surrounds the beat-up library in every sense. It is no doubt, well planned but right now it doesn’t look like a systemic process, starting at the top and working down. It looks like a lot of trash and a bad party. I know this is just temporary—but it is very sad.

I am truly grateful that there is no actual wrecking ball. Large dramatic violent smashing would be exciting for some viewers no doubt. But, it would underscore the hurt felt by sentimental softies with a melancholy heart (like me.) Fortunately there is a new nice fence that surrounds the demolition site but we can still see the destruction. It currently looks like a war zone with slashes and wounds and smells like burnt materials. I do not understand how anyone can look at that pile of disjointed materials and not feel loss. (I advise myself: perhaps—if the obvious dismemberment is too difficult to watch—then maybe, it would be best to NOT WATCH.

But as a writer and observer of all things Palmer, I need to see and document this whole process. Trying to weigh the future needs versus the current situation is hard. How can ripping up and tearing down be a good thing? There is some annoying tortured logic here. Of course one has to remove the rubble before building anew. So this is what I will do: Focus on how the old library has served us well. Focus on how the grand history of the train will be retained. Focus on how unborn babies and today’s children will have a wonderful visionary resource that was well thought out. (Also don’t watch the dailies and take an antidepressant from time to time.)

Opportunity for Feedback—Last week there was a pertinent question about all the Palmer Changes—it was posted on Social Media. Between the official responses and messaged responses, there is some, mighty good information there. Please bear in mind that I know about 15% of the respondents personally and 85% not at all. I don’t want to live in a silo or an echo chamber so I push for a variety of audience and responses related to Palmer. So I am offering this exact same nonscientific survey through The Valley Frontiersman, Alaska Palmer Buzz Column. Hopefully this will also generate some responses from different sectors.

In general, what are you feeling about the visible changes in Palmer? Here are some specifics to ponder…

• Our old Library demolition and eventual rebuild of new library

• Section of railroad tracks removed from in front of Pioneer Home

• Some are happy about the removal. Some aren’t.

• Friday Flings and weekend evening outdoor music offerings

• Major landscaping, maintenance and floral additions in Palmer

• Small business visibility, availability, access, product and public hours

• Safety features including newly painted crosswalks, bike trails and curb enhancements

• City’s Visitor Center, community garden, food trail, and large garden downtown

• Changes at the Ice Arena aka MTA Events Center, including pickle-ball

• Resurgence of the Midsummer Art and Flower Fair for July 19

OK. I need constructive community feedback please. Remember the rules. No POLITICS or MEAN SPIRITED COMMENTS. Be clear in your response. Speak your true feelings. Ask your questions. Hopefully we will all become more aware and thoughtful as we identify the challenges of our changing community. This is all ready for you to respond on Facebook, on the Palmer Alaska Buzz Group. And if you don’t do social media, you can text your written thoughts or comments to 9073153222. Thanks and let’s look to the future good!

Barbara Hunt is both Palmer writer and artist. She works hard to keep the robust pulse of Palmer, Alaska. She shares the good stuff in the weekly Palmer Alaska Buzz Column in the Mat Su Valley Frontiersman and daily on the Palmer Alaska Buzz Facebook Group.. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222.