Kira Erickson reports from the Langley City Council meeting on Dec. 4, 2023 for the South Whidbey Record.
An ambitious project that seeks to bring some culture to Langley’s Cascade Avenue corridor has received an extension.
During a meeting this week, the Langley City Council unanimously approved the one-year extension of a $45,000 contract awarded to Langley Creates, the city’s creative district that was established in 2020. The $45,000 comes from the city’s tourism funds.
The creative district plans to turn the Cascade bluff between Second and Sixth streets into an outdoor cultural museum, according to a memo. During the meeting, Joann Quintana, one of the project managers, explained that she and fellow project manager Inge Morascini have been working closely with the South Whidbey Historical Museum, Sno-Isle Libraries and local Indigenous peoples.
Work on the project, however, has come to a standstill because the city is in the midst of making changes to its critical areas ordinance and is in the process of finalizing a bluff management plan, which affects the area in question.
They Said It
Finance Director Wanda Grone asked the project managers to submit a summary of the work they’ve done to date, and Councilmember Rhonda Salerno agreed that reports should be made for a project of this size.
“I do hope that this is a boon for the community,” Councilmember Thomas Gill said. “I’ve been through some of the other creative districts. I’ve been very impressed with what work they’ve been able to do in their short times of existence, and I would love to see us be right up there with them.”
