Absolutely voting NO! The fact that the county was so short sighted as to disagree with and oppose the private/public option speaks volumes about their narrow mindset. We'll probably have a semi-clone of the Fed courthouse, albeit a few floors taller. It will certainly have the opposite effect of most if not all of the other projects being developed in the general area in that (as has already been pointed out) it would create a several block long "dead zone", connecting the bland, lifeless space that is the courthouse with the Hobby building in a neat, moribund row while separating the up and coming developments meant to spur and encourage activity to the South and West.
If that happens, Republic Square park should just be dug up and turned into a parking garage (no I'm not actually advocating that happen!) as it will be so under-utilized. It'll be an oasis bordered on two sides by cold, sterile buildings, with Hotel Zaza and whatever eventually happens with the post office block on the others. If it were built today, with the lack of progress on any development at the old post office location, it would virtually be almost completely surrounded by BOOOORRRRRIIINNGGG, with the exception of Zaza.
Imagine a public/private initiative that possibly could include a soaring tower with county office, public residential and/or hotel and entertainment components and include a well designed plaza, or plazas that could act as an extension(s) of the park. It could possibly include a second floor landing similar to the ACL location at the W, or the Violet Crown and have a pedestrian bridge or two crossing over and into the park for residents/occupants/visitors to flow into and out of at extended hours of the day instead of solely between 9 am to 5 pm or whatever county employee hours typically are. It would enhance your walk out of Hotel Zaza, or your condo or office nearby. You could go sit in the park and people watch, grab a bite to eat, listen to some music, see a movie, read, whatever....................if properly managed it could attract people 24/7. Not that anyone wants a ton of people making noise at 2 am, which is why I say "properly managed"! This site has so much potential, yet the powers that be at the county have shown they have little to no imagination or foresight. They seem to exhibit only fear of some sort of potential boondoggle and show no understanding of or interest in promoting balanced centralized growth, especially in such a prime location.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelB
I'm thinkin' I'll be voting against that bond.
I'd reather see that property go back on the market.
I do not belive the county will be good stewards of the best interst of downtown.
When they were in "private/public" mode I had hope.
Now I would "fear" a sub par building in a prime space that will crate a "dead Block " at night.
Think I'll pass.
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