I know and really like Chris Ott and have the highest respect for him. However, I was dismayed to read his commentary concerning Vashon Allied Arts’ performing arts center plans. I was on a previous performing arts planning group several years ago that examined all of the space available on the Island and concluded that there was nothing on Vashon that could work. I’ve worked for years on reuse of several Island spaces, and there simply isn’t anything that is feasible or cost effective. I know it’s hard to understand that if you haven’t read through engineering studies and cost estimates.

I was also on a focus group for this latest round of studies, and I know Drama Dock folks were a part of that. All of the due diligence was well-publicized, and questions concerning the process have been thoughtfully answered by the VAA staff and board many times.

As for it being “outside the town center” and a burden on kids, I don’t understand that comment. The new center will be a very short walk to all of the schools, so children can easily walk to their after-school, arts-related lessons and activities. That wouldn’t be true if the new center was closer to town. They would have to be bussed or driven by parents. There will be ample parking for performances with the planned new center, too, which we sure don’t have in town, and it will create a total campus of arts related buildings.

As for more traffic for our businesses, as far as I can see every restaurant in town is packed before shows and theater events now. Having the performing arts center a few blocks closer wouldn’t make much difference. The First Friday art walk finds VAA’s Blue Heron crammed full of people. No one minds the trip a few blocks from town.

— Emma Amiad