Recent Press
BREAK DOWN BARRIERS
Removing fence from Weber Point would be a step in the right direction
July 23, 2008
Stockton, California Daily Record Editorial
To fence or not to fence?
The black, wrought-iron fence around Weber Point Events Center in downtown Stockton was an ominous turnoff for Roger Brooks, a public/private paid consultant from Seattle who issued a report on how to help the city move forward.
His remedy is succinct: Take it down.
We agree.
Eliminating the fence would solve a symptom of downtown Stockton's problems by making this showpiece look less foreboding. Brooks says fences such as this make people scared to visit downtown.
But it should be pointed out that people are coming downtown, and they're doing so in droves.
They're attending hockey games and would attend concerts at Stockton Arena if more were scheduled.
They'll attend Saturday night's nationally televised cage-fighting show at the arena and probably will sell out a weeklong rodeo this fall.
They packed the multiplex for the new Batman movie, they sold out the recent Earth Wind and Fire concert at the Bob Hope Theatre, and rarely a weekend goes by without events at Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium.
People are coming downtown, and, for the most part, they don't seem to be scared about doing so. We're guessing that most attendees didn't even notice the fence around Weber Point Events Center when they showed up for the July Fourth fireworks show.
It's true there are parks all around Stockton that are open 24/7 with no fences.
Some will say Weber Point is different. They worry it will become a haven for the homeless and a target for gang graffiti if the fence is taken down. But both those concerns can be monitored and controlled.
Maybe it would be nothing more than symbolism to take down the fence. But symbolism can be important when you're trying to move forward.
Two of the crucial stakeholders in the debate - the Downtown Stockton Alliance and the Stockton Conference and Visitors Bureau - agree with Brooks' recommendation.
It's also important to look forward to a time when there hopefully will be more downtown residences, the restaurant pads are filled, as Mayor Ed Chavez promises they will be, and a beautiful marina welcomes those who arrive in Stockton by boat.
A fenced-in Weber Point Events Center would really look out of place in that context. So why be tied to fears from the past?
Take it down - and move forward.
