The Bandstand and the Rebirth of La Plaza Park
Vito Paulekas and Karl Franzoni were threatened with arrest while building the bandstand
in the Plaza - an "illegal structure" not sanctioned by the city - but
they prevailed, and the bandstand, born to controversy, began its stormy
life.
It immediately became the center for a new energy in town. Large crowds began to gather on weekends, lured by free electrified rock 'n roll.
City council meetings played hosts to two disparate factions: one
wanted more music, facilities, sandboxes for the kids, the other
demanded user fees, permits, an end to amplified music.
The grass
was made to turn green. Picnic tables, benches and swings were built and
installed by concerned citizens - often for free - and gradually La
Plaza Park became the comfortable gathering place it is today.
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Vito Paulekas
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The George and Arthur Streets Barricade
Residents of George and Arthur Streets by 1978 had had enough of the 3000-plus cars per day
which were using their residential neighborhood as a high-speed
shortcut. They organized and descended upon the City Council, convincing
them to block Arthur Street at East Cotati Avenue, stopping through
traffic.
Many people who didn't live in the neighborhood took strong exception to the street closure, and a long, fierce battle began. The barricade became a major political issue,
and source of battles before the council, planning commission and in
the courts. Finally, in June, 1983, the City Council took the final
legal step to declare the barricade permanent.
The George-Arthur Streets neighborhood has changed dramatically since the barricade was installed. Children now abound,
their parents willing to settle families in such a traffic-safe
environment The streets themselves, with their open ditches, free-form
parking and sparse, slow-moving traffic, are reminiscent of a quieter
Cotati of years ago.
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Cotati Native |