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Del Norte Youth Council wins authorization to revive Tsunami Plaza
Summary
The Crescent City Council authorized staff to work with the Del Norte Youth Council on a Tsunami Plaza revitalization project that includes native landscaping, graffiti removal, a refreshed fountain and cultural banners; youth set a goal for initial work by June 30.
The Crescent City Council agreed on May 4 to authorize city staff to work with the Del Norte Youth Council on a revitalization of Tsunami Plaza, after a presentation from youth members and their advisor.
Preslyn Shaw, introduced as the youth council advisor, and student presenters described a multi-part plan to update landscaping with native plants, clean up litter, repaint benches, remove an illegible plaque, pressure-wash surfaces, and restore the memorial fountain. Student presenters proposed added features for later phases—mosaics, murals, cultural and tsunami-information displays, banners and playscapes to make the plaza more family friendly.
"We would like to update the landscaping, clean up the litter, repaint benches, and cover graffiti, and restore the memorial fountain to its original beauty," student Elja Coe said. Youth volunteers said the first set of work and photos could be completed by June 30, and asked for the council’s consensus to coordinate with city staff.
City staff recommended consensus authorization for the youth council to work with staff; a council member moved and the council agreed to authorize staff coordination. During public comment, several residents, including Dave Garcia, voiced support for the youth-led project as an example of civic engagement.
The youth presenters said the initial phase will emphasize native, low-maintenance plantings (examples named during the presentation included tufted hairgrass and California lilac), cleanup and bench and plaque work; later phases would consider murals and tsunami-safety banners linked to sister-city exchanges.
The council recorded consensus for staff to coordinate with the youth council on the project, and staff said they would work with the presenters and downtown planning staff on timing and a June 30 goal for initial tasks.
