I was delighted to attend the Visions of Wallingford Film Screening this past week. Though, it went way beyond just a documentary viewing. It was a curated evening of community and conversation that surprised, challenged and invigorated me.
The event was held at the Good Shepherd Center theatre on the 4th floor and the evening sun streamed through the vintage stained glass. After receiving our packets for the night, there was time at the beginning to wander among the tables at the sides of the room where community organizations shared information. It was wonderful to meet contributors to this blog including Warren and Dawn from the Wallingford Branch of the Seattle Public Library, Rachel and Denise of the Wallingford Senior Center, and Rhonda from Historic Wallingford.
We were also invited to complete the first page of our packet by answering questions posted on big signs around the room in the categories of: Transportation, Houses, Food, Plants, Commerce, or Public Spaces. Drawing was encouraged.
Ari Hock shared a brief introduction of his project including a reminder of the goal (or one of the goals) to contribute to the City of Seattle 2035 Comprehensive Plan. He challenged the audience: what was the top concern voiced by the residents of Wallingford in 1998 when a neighborhood survey project was underway? People shouted out answers with “housing” being the loudest. Turns out it was “traffic.” As we look towards the future, it is interesting to consider the issues of the community past and present, and in our neighborhood versus other Seattle neighborhoods.
The film set out to compile the many and diverse voices from the neighborhood during Ari’s project. Much of it centered on the walking tours, such as the history walk down 45th Street. At one point, the group stopped at the plaza outside Wallingford Center at the statue. Neighbors shared their visions for Wallingford based on their conversations with one another (“Keep Wallingford the same!”) and also added new thoughts. “Why isn’t this space used more by the public? It would be a wonderful spot for busking.”
Another tour on the flora of Wallingford showed young children leading the way to edible plants and fruit just steps from their homes. Ken Workman of the Duwamish Tribe shared a profound perspective about housing. He described how the lumber used to build the Craftsman homes in the early 20th century was from very old trees. These trees were nourished from the earth where ancestors were buried. “So, our ancestors are literally in these houses.”
A new perspective on the land came from a young family who shared the challenge they had in purchasing a home in 2015. They made numerous offers and lost every one. “We were losing hope and were thinking of moving to St. Louis or something.” Friends came up with an idea to build a backyard cottage and enable the couple to stay in Seattle and purchase a portion of the property. Now the couple and young daughter continue to live in community with their friends, staying in the neighborhood they love.
Ari interviewed Simone Big Wolf who has spent much of his life in the area and currently calls N. 45th St. home. Simone walked quickly through the neighborhood toward I-5 where he was looking for a corner to work while affably sharing thoughts from his life. At one point, he pointed to a plane in the sky and said, “See that jet? That’s where we’re going.” Noting that the corners were all full, Simone walked further with Ari showing him houses where he had helped build the concrete foundation.
Following the film, Ari invited us to take a “gallery walk” around the room where he had posted stills of the film and sticky note pads to add comments, questions, or ideas. New townhouses juxtaposed against the classic Craftsman. A mosaic-decorated bench in the middle of a traffic circle. All invited written dialogue.
Then came small group conversations led by facilitators focused on the six original topics. I joined the Public Spaces group. Many interesting questions came along: What are the public spaces in Wallingford and how could we use them better? “I think we need more indoor public space for the winter when people aren’t outside and more easily talking with their neighbors,” someone commented.
Housing was a strong pull and our group ventured there beyond our stated topic.
“I’ve lived in my apartment in Wallingford for 8 years. I’m in constant fear that my landlord will sell and it will be brought to market rates or sold to build condos” I asked her and the other two renters in the group what they thought of the cottage story. All enthusiastically said “Yes!” and wondered how they could find someone with enough room to build one.
It is impossible to summarize the event and all the dialogue that sprouted. Ari asked to end with the phrase “I’d just like to say…” My answer is, how do we retain the compelling character of Wallingford while adapting to the changes in our land, city and population? In the film, one of the workers tearing down the Guild commented, “I understand why people are upset. It’s going to turn into a different city.”
Several commented that we need more events like this, and maybe even another night of the movie so more could participate. There is currently one more chance to view the film over Zoom Monday, March 20, 2023 at 4:00pm register here.
And we’ll be sure to let you know if Ari schedules another evening. As someone in the video said, “It’s a reminder that overcoming ‘placelessness’ may also need you. The place alone doesn’t make the place. It’s the people.”
It was great meeting you in person, too, Julie!