Main Street: The gazebo question

In case you haven¹t checked, the renovation of the Healdsburg
Plaza is on schedule. Good weather and favorable conditions are
working in our favor, and the fences should come down in
mid-November, barring unforeseen problems or unseasonable storms.
The City Council is to be commended for investing in the upkeep of
our community jewel.
I¹ve gone by the construction site a number of times, and each
time I visit, I¹m struck with how nice the Plaza will look when it
reopens, and how bad the decrepit gazebo will look by
comparison.
In 1998, I wrote a series of columns in this newspaper, calling
for two things ‹ the replacement of the gazebo and the refurbishing
of the Plaza¹s turf. The idea got traction, and over the
intervening eight years, Plaza-lovers have held out hope that both
would occur. We¹re so happy to see the current work, but when the
city agreed to schedule the renovation, a decision was made to
leave the gazebo out of this project. We all agreed that the gazebo
needs replacing, but we decided to wait. As part of the
subcommittee that made the recommendation, I reluctantly
agreed.
I was wrong. The structure is ugly, it doesn¹t work well, and
it¹s falling apart. I believe we should seize the moment and
replace it. The contractor who¹s working on the Plaza says he can
demolish and remove the ailing gazebo in one day. That gives us
eight months to design, approve, and install a proper structure,
that fits our community, our heritage, and our needs.
The gazebo was dedicated 20 years ago. In its first phase, it
was an odd little structure, with no protection from the rain or
sun, but it had a certain charm. Designed by Michael Rubinstein and
built by Len Echols, who have both since passed away, it was more
decorative than functional, more suited as a landmark than as a
place to perform. It was what architects describe as ³a folly,²
which is defined as: ³a costly ornamental building with no
practical purpose.²
Local musicians ­ including the Healdsburg Community Band ­
despaired of it ever meeting their needs, as they still do
today.
A few years later, the city extended the concrete apron and
erected the tacky shade structure we see now. While the shade cloth
helps keep the sun out of the performers¹ eyes, it provides no
protection from precipitation. Every year we have to rent a tent to
put inside the gazebo for the VNA Hospice Tree Lighting Ceremony,
since the rain pours right in.
The lattice part of the structure is full of dry rot, and the
original structure is starting to show dry rot as well. One of the
original rafters is rotten clear through. I was in the building
trades for long enough to know that the structure can be repaired,
but should it be? Do we want to throw more money at something most
folks agree has to be replaced anyway?
A new structure can use the existing concrete pad, and can be
designed to be more friendly to performers and picnickers. Local
designers and contractors have already expressed an interest in
helping with the project.
We can build a structure that reflects our community, and lasts
longer than a mere 20 years. The decision will take political
courage, and will create extra work for the city staff, but I think
we owe it to ourselves to consider it. A renovated park with a new
gazebo will be a fitting tribute to our Sesquicentennial year,
celebrating 150 years of enjoyment of the Plaza.
I¹m going to pay a visit to the City Council meeting (7 p.m. on
Monday, September 18) and pose the Gazebo Question. If you think
I¹m nuts, love the structure and want to see it saved, show up that
night or send the Council a letter to that effect. If you agree
with me that we ought to replace it, join me and say so.
Ray Holley is ready to man the wrecking ball. He can be reached
at

ra*******@gm***.com











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