A New Vision for the Plaza

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A New Vision for the Plaza
by Nicholas Pablo

July 24, 2009

Many may know that there is a long-standing dialogue over what resides at the heart of the plaza square in Arcata's downtown. Currently it is a statue of President McKinley. There is a twisted and sorted story that regards this penguin-like figure who faces West towards the post office.

As the story goes it was made just before the San Francisco earthquake and fire in 1906. It was meant to go to some fancy joint like the Hearst Castle or The Carnegie Foundation of New York or the Federal Reserve Building in Washington. Something of those sorts. Anyway, since it acquired a crack a deep flaw during that fire it was abandoned for it's original mission. Then, by some interesting occurence which I cannot recall it got here to Arcata as a recycled statue.

Now, as the debate goes, many do not want to commemorate a president (even if he was shot down in cold blood) who helped stir up the native americans and take over the pacific islands and other such activities which don't exactly call the soul home.

So I have a bright glowy vision for the plaza. Since it is a statue of McKinley and the bustling metropolis of McKinleyville is just 5 miles up the road it should have a valiant and salutory parade up to it's new home there in the town that bears it's name. In it's place we will erect a giant recycled plastic ball with an embedded imprint of the globe. A circular metal staircase will allow visitors to climb to the top of the see-through ball. At the top they will have a gravity spinning coin depositor (like at the Chicago Museum of Modern Art).

So people will have the chance to donate coins in this cool way for all to see. And it will slowly save up a year's worth of funding for a town-wide donation to be given at the beginning of Yule (December 21-22) each year. At one of the yearly festivals like the Oyster Festival or more preferably the North Country Fair everybody in the town will have a chance to vote on the town(s) or cause(s) to which the most people decide it should go.

In this way, the heart of Arcata will exude the spirit of saving (the earth) and giving back some of the abundance which will flow to such a lovely addition to the annual schedule of community events. Perhaps a project of this scale can shift the direction in a positive way of this old and unending conversation. What's your dream for the future of this beautiful little grass-covered palm and buddha tree paradise?

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