That would be incredibly disappointing if true. I did what I can do, email all the relevant officials that I could and contact the only person I know that has any local political connections to ask them to reach out to anyone they know. I think it's worth an effort to get this park done at its full size now, it's taken decades to get the state to consider giving up any of this parking, now would seem to be the time to make a push.
I think you are wrong about the Gov. Why would she want to save parking lots, and how would the help Hertel? The word "forced" does not apply to this situation, if you have a job with the State and your employer wants to do your job in an office with other real humans, they as your employer have a right to tell you to show up at the office. If you feel "forced" to leave you home for your job maybe you should get another job.
I think an underground parking garage with the park above could save some of those priceless parking spaces.
Hood was just talking about this in the New Vision thread, but I'm glad that they are looking to revamp the west riverfront area of downtown. Years ago, I took this picture of the boardwalk on this side. I was so sad to see them take this all out (and they did this recently in Riverfront Park). Like the one in Riverfront Park, fisherman used it quite frequently, and it was just a cool place to hide away for awhile if you got tired.
As with everything, the city simply got tired of maintaining it, so instead of reconstruction it, they just look it out...while of course leaving the actually supporting posts in the river.
I was also disappointed that they allowed that boardwalk then removed it with no plan for replacement. I just hope that all this stuff with the trail happens. It seems clear that the new pedestrian bridge will get built but I'm not sure Gentilozzi is planning on footing the bill for the trail improvements from his tower north to Wentworth Park, is the city chipping in? Are they chasing another state appropriation? Waiting out the trail millage? It's not really clear.
EDIT: in the brownfield document they have line items on page 100-101 for "non motorized trails" , "bridges" and "marinas" . I don't know that to make of those numbers, that makes it seem like they will be paying for a lot this as part of the project.
I was walking in Scott Woods/Hawk Island yesterday. The Scott Woods area is kind has kind of a hunted feeling in the winter with all the huge fallen trees across the landscape, and the very old and knurled standing trees that are easy to spot without the leaves. I am pretty sure some of them are old growth. I also saw a flock of really huge wild turkeys and group of over 20 deer and a couple of woodpeckers. What was a surprise was seeing the new boardwalk already finished. It looks really nice and follows a path further out in the lake, away from the shoreline. It looks very well constructed with fishing areas and several bridges to the shore. There are also fishing docks at several points around the lake. The tubbing hill was well covered with snow waiting for the weekend. I like how it seems when the whole county gets together to improve a park, they do it right.
The floating boardwalk is a really nice addition to Hawk Island, I bike through there as part of my regular route (in better weather) and had frequently detoured along there since it was opened. I've really got to make an effort to get to that tubing hill this year.
I read an artical about how the "skating rink" [ice patch] in Rutter Park does not get much use! As an ice skater I would feel kind of silly taking about three strokes to go from one side to the other on that tiny rink. I don't know why things like a nice big ice rink and or a functioning fountain seem like unattainable goals that only a really big city could handle. IMO it was a waste of money to build a half-assed tiny rink and also tell people we should not spend money on the very beautiful historic fountain because there are so many other places to spend money. Is the Cascades in Jackson a private attraction? somehow Jackson keeps that fountain working.
The Cascades is actually a county park. But it's history is that it was privately developed, and the benefactor handed it over to the county in the 1940's.
BTW, there was a proposal probably a decade ago that was to put a proper skating rink in Riverfront Park. Like a lot in this town, it was never seen through. Instead, a lot of charity money and such was put into developing the other side of the river (Rotary Park). I've always thought it'd be nice to see something like that developed in the Capitol mall, downtown, and there are plans for a state-developed on the parking lots in front of the Hall of Justice. The views of the Capitol would be pretty stunning from there.
The ice rink at Ruetter Park is just a disappointment. Poorly maintained and too small. An ice rink at the Capitol mall would be awesome, and help activate the space more. I love that idea.
It killed me going to GR for their Christmas market, seeing their ice rink and the crowds there on a random Thursday night. I immediately thought of the half-assed attempt at Reutter and felt grumpy about it on the way home.
Comments
I think an underground parking garage with the park above could save some of those priceless parking spaces.
Rickety by NewCityOne, on Flickr
As with everything, the city simply got tired of maintaining it, so instead of reconstruction it, they just look it out...while of course leaving the actually supporting posts in the river.
EDIT: in the brownfield document they have line items on page 100-101 for "non motorized trails" , "bridges" and "marinas" . I don't know that to make of those numbers, that makes it seem like they will be paying for a lot this as part of the project.
BTW, there was a proposal probably a decade ago that was to put a proper skating rink in Riverfront Park. Like a lot in this town, it was never seen through. Instead, a lot of charity money and such was put into developing the other side of the river (Rotary Park). I've always thought it'd be nice to see something like that developed in the Capitol mall, downtown, and there are plans for a state-developed on the parking lots in front of the Hall of Justice. The views of the Capitol would be pretty stunning from there.