Citizen Architects Step into the Arena
The AIA|WA is excited by the increase in architects running for political office this year. These candidates are all running in local level races, however, with great candidates like these it will only be a matter of time before an architect is elected to the State Legislature.
1985 was the last time that an architect held a seat in the legislature of Washington; that is far too long. We believe that architects in politics are key to the advancement of the industry. In addition, architects bring a unique ability to create consensus that is especially useful in government.
This sentiment is mirrored in the words of one of this year’s candidates, Marty Kaplan, AIA, “Architects have a vision and desire to bring people together. We learn skills in the design process which translates well to facilitating community discussions.”
The AIA|WA got a chance to meet with Mr. Kaplan, who is running for Seattle City Council, and two other architects seeking election to public office this year: Jim Merritt, FAIA, candidate for Tacoma City Mayor; and Matthew Gregory, AIA, candidate for Kirkland City Council.
All of the candidates spoke at length about how land use decisions are impactful at the local level; and how architects understand how to translate the larger issues that the public might ordinarily miss.
“We need more design professionals in government,” stated Matthew Gregory, “but a challenge for architects is that modern politics favor sound bites. Architects are trained to understand nuances; so it can be a challenge for them to put information into a pithy sound bite.”
Yet, as the people of Washington have seen time and time again, it is not those who can talk that make a difference it’s those that walk the walk. Its up to us to help candidates like these get elected. One of the biggest ways that the AIA and you can help architects get elected is to donate to the Architects PAC (APAC).
APAC is the AIA|WA’s way to help candidates who support architectural issues. Because of state law the council cannot contribute to political races directly and must donate through APAC. If you would like to support architect candidates for office you can contribute to APAC here.
Or, you can contact the AIA|WA at info@aiawa.org with your comments and questions. Architects in politics are crucial for the profession in Washington, help us elect architect candidates.
Tacoma Mayoral Race brings An Architect to the Table
Jim Merritt, FAIA, is running to be Tacoma’s Mayor. With his expertise building city projects, insight into design, experience in business, and dedication to Tacoma, Merritt is undoubtedly qualified. However, the position won’t come without a fight.
Marilyn Strickland announced her intention to run two months after Merritt. Strickland completed her first term on the Tacoma City Council this year yet and is a strong rival for the spot due to a bevy of high-ranking supporters. However, it doesn’t take long to drive around Tacoma and realize that a fresh perspective is needed for the city.
Tacoma has labored under the pain of potholes, a busy port, a lack of transit, and crime. However, with new construction the city is starting to be revitalized. Merritt knows about this first-hand because he played a large part in the renovation.
In 2003 Merritt was named a Tacoma Home Town Hero for his work on community and development projects, including the University of Washington Tacoma campus, the Foss Waterway master plan, the Tacoma Convention & Trade Center and Union Station. Merritt also sat on the Downtown Area Revitalization Task Force (DART).
As an architect, Merritt has always had a vision for Tacoma. In 1979 he bought a dilapidated building, in a run-down Tacoma neighborhood, in order for it to house his new architectural firm. He states that his goal was to invest financially where his hopes were and be an example to the community.
Merritt has an idea of what Tacoma could be and his vision is evident. On the Tacoma Tomorrow Blog they state that if Merritt, “is elected mayor of Tacoma…he will pay attention to the detail of design, to make sure that things are done right the first time.”.
If you would like to learn more about Jim Merritt you can visit his website at http://www.merrittformayor.com/
Marty Kaplan, AIA, a Contender for Seattle City Council
With four seats and sixteen candidates, the race for Seattle City council is a heated one. Marty Kaplan brings unique traits to the race. Unlike the other two candidates Kaplan is a business owner of an architecture firm. Further, Kaplan has experience in the political arena of Seattle that the public can look to for confirmation of his ability to lead.
Architects bring special qualities to any political race because their work is observable by the public. People see the impact of architects work every day as they create tangible improvements to communities with the buildings they design. As an architect, Kaplan has worked in the city for over 30 years designing, building and supporting projects that promote energy efficiency and that help create sustainable communities.
Kaplan has received support because of these tangible benefits to the city of Seattle. The Alki Foundation, the political arm of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, endorsed Kaplan stating that their choice of candidates was based on “a commitment to developing an economic and regulatory environment that fosters capital investment and job growth.”
Many architects bring an ability to create consensus; which is a highly useful skill when agreement must be reached on projects that affect the public. Kaplan’s involvement elucidates the tendency of architects to be welcome participants in civic groups. He is a Member of the Mercer Corridor Stakeholder Committee, a Seattle Planning Commission representative observing the Alaskan Way Stakeholders Advisory Committee, the Appointed Co-Chair of the Seattle Planning Commission Land Use and Transportation Committee, and many others. You can learn more about Marty, the groups and boards he sits on, and his reasons for running, at his website: http://www.mhkforseattle.com/.
Architect Candidate in Kirkland Faces an Uphill Battle
Matt Gregory, AIA, faces a hard race. Gregory is running for Kirkland City Council Position Five along with two other candidates: Karen Tennyson, and Amy Whalen. The outcome of this contest will be clearly decided in the primary, August 19. Along with multiple candidates for the spot, Gregory’s race is complicated because he is the newest to join the campaign.
However, Gregory has some invaluable traits that can help him win this election. He is no newcomer to Kirkland City politics; he served as a planning commission member for ten years until last March. Gregory also recently served on the Lake Washington School Board and this summer was elected as a trustee to the Lake Washington School Foundation. This prior experience will help Gregory get a leg up on the competition when it comes time to vote; people look for familiarity when casting their ballot.
Gregory’s experience serving on the school board also highlights how useful architects can be in the political field. Architects excel at creating consensus, a trait they hone through practice clients. This trait translates perfectly in the political arena – reaching agreement is the foundation of politics. In Gregory’s case, this common architect trait hasn’t gone unnoticed, “I had a lot of people ask me to run.” States Gregory, “I feel I’m ready. I can bring my leadership, both in the region and city, and my experience of living in the city.”
Gregory’s platform is also strong. He states his goal is to get Kirkland back on the “TRAIN,” which stands for transportation, revitalization, affordability, invention and neighborhoods. This platform, and training as an architect, applies especially to Kirkland. The city has struggled to: institute a mass transit system, create a flow that is friendly to pedestrians, get rid of an old street system and change zoning laws that will help with empty storefronts from retail and business closures.
With an architect’s insight and his political experience, Gregory has a good chance to win a spot on the Kirkland City Council. If you would like to learn more about Matthew Gregory, you can go to http://www.kirklandviews.com/kirkland-election-forum/matt-gregory-city-council-position-5/.
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