Capitol Lake with Olympic Mountains

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There are proposals to put up additional high rise buildings in this location.

Building in this location would defeat views of the Olympic Mountains from Capitol Lake as they currently exist.

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Taken in a place with no name (See more photos or videos here)

Downtown Olympia

Capitol Lake with Olympic Mountains and High Rise Building

I like the idea of developing the isthmus between Capitol Lake and Budd Bay into a natural area. Current business that are located in the area could be encouraged to leave gradually. No pressure would be applied, but incentives could be made available. The city and state, which both have a stake in the development of a true natural preserve in this area, could team up to assist local businesses in relocation.

I envision a dividing line between the urban core of downtown Olympia and, to the West, a natural area. The juxtaposition of an urban area with a natural/ semi-wilderness area would be an awesome addition to an already awesome city. It would be fitting for the 21st century. Olympia can provide an example for true sustainability as humanity and America progress into the 21st century.

Building multi-use residential/business high rises in this location (the isthmus) would obstruct views of the Olympic Mountains. Buildings would also obstruct a corridor which runs from Capitol Lake and the Deschutes river to the Puget Sound. There are many reasons both for and against putting buildings in this area, but I think it basically comes down to the fact that there are better places in Downtown Olympia to put up high rise buildings.

Urban density sounds good. Urban density definitely fits in with the scheme for sustainability. It's just that some locations are more and less fitting than others for developing high rises. More is not necessarily better, especially when more comes with catastrophic costs like the blocking of a scenic view that is a public asset.

There is also the issue of growth. Is growth sustainable? Certainly it is not sustainable indefinitely without losses. We live in a finite world in a finite universe. God maybe infinite. This reality is governed by existential realities. We can only consume so much before it causes disease and disorder.

Responsible development is sustainable development, the kind that can continue for generations upon generations. The problem is that this society is not operating in a manner that will be indefinitely sustainable for generations upon generations into the future. This society is polluting the earth, the air and the water. This society is consuming petroleum at a massive rate. It's all out of whack.

The very least that we can do is to think twice about, and reconsider, building more high rises in a location that would hinder, disrupt and defeat a truly magnificent view of a truly magnificent mountain range.

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janet and phoebe says:

Wow, Rob. This photo really demonstrates how devastating development on the isthmus would be to the views of the Olympics. Thanks for posting this.
Posted 3 days ago. ( permalink )

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Taken with a Canon EOS 30D.
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Taken on February 19, 2008

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Capitol Lake with Olympic Mountains

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janet and phoebe says:

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