Bonney Lake Develops City Cultural Plan

How does a city like Bonney Lake ‘build’ a local art scene? They plan for it.

The city council hopes to vote in a cultural plan for Bonney Lake by the end of the year. It would be an amendment to the city’s comprehensive plan that would not only make room for art installments in town, but also protect local historic sites and build a stronger town identity.

 The planning commission will hold Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Bonney Lake Justice Center. After that, the planning commission will make a final recommendation to council.

The cultural plan, developed by Gary Leaf (head of facilities and operations), Don Morrison (city administrator) and Heather Stinson (planning manager), would utilize local groups and resources to build a strong arts community in Bonney Lake.

Bonney Lake businesses big and small, from box stores like Fred Meyer to independent groups like Michelle’s Studio of Dance, were listed in the proposal as future providers to the local art scene. Not only were businesses that could provide venue space and art materials on that list, but also groups that could fill the stages.  

Bonney Lake hopes to preserve local historic sites and protect certain trees and landmarks in town. Bonney Lake is a new city, the document noted, so there will not be very many "historic" buildings available for preservation, but certain Native American and pioneer sites, like and , should be recognized.

The group also analyzed potential marketing partnerships and incentive programs for participating businesses, including plans for a town marketing strategy, to promote Bonney Lake regionally and statewide.

The document pointed out that the city does not anticipate any additional funding will be available for new arts programs, nor are there plans to build any kind of performing arts facility. Bonney Lake could envision itself as more of a “clearing house” for arts and culture information in town.

Elements of the plan include:

• The possibility of town “branding,” like Leavenworth.
• Art installments in public and private buildings across town, with business incentives to get involved.
• City-wide art projects, plus projects created by sub communities in Bonney Lake, like Midtown, Downtown and Eastown.
• “Encourage” the Sumner School District to build a performing arts center at Bonney Lake High School.
• Develop an amphitheater at Allan Yorke Park as part of the park’s future expansion plans.
• Enhance the city’s website to promote local events.
• Create an official Bonney Lake band and/or symphony orchestra.
• Develop rotating art displays for the Bonney Lake Justice Center.
• Create an “Art Business” directory and city guide catalogue for local tourists and residents to promote local arts businesses.
• Include more arts and cultural entertainment to community events like Bonney Lake Days, Kids Club and the Health Fair.

Some members of the planning commission felt that the cultural plan is too vague for long-range planning purposes and includes business partnerships available today that might not be around in 10 years.

Read more about the debate between the planning commission and city administration .

At the Oct. 19 meeting, the planning commission voted 4-1 to include a new document created by a commission subcommittee in the packet available to the public and open for discussion at this week’s hearing.

That document, a significantly shorter one than the city’s, focuses on the importance of developing a “sense of place” in town, through more collaborations and designated art facilities. A community center, the document stated, is a significant project the city could take on to help improve the local arts scene and make cultural events accessible to everyone. It encouraged future city planning that provides opportunities for more gathering spaces, like a regional performing arts or convention center.

It also details plans to create an official historical and arts commission that can review all local resources, keep a pulse on art projects in town and report back to the city council on a regular basis. The document emphasized the importance if finding a place to store cultural artifacts and significant items that are meaningful to the city.

After Wednesday’s public hearing and following meeting, the planning commission hopes to put forth a recommendation to the city council, to add an arts and culture component to the city’s comprehensive plan before the end-of-year deadline. Otherwise, arts and culture in Bonney Lake cannot be officially revisited in city plans until 2013.