They finally started the streetscaping on Grand Ave. They're removing the asphalt infill no the sidewalks and filling with the red bricks and concrete, I haven't seen any rain gardens or the "fancy" light poles yet, but they're still in the first stages.
I think it's a great idea, but I'm also skeptical about the location. If this was put in place of the gas station to the east of the Stadium District and on the land south of that gas station or somewhere similar I think it would work. Maybe if they razed the buildings right next to the Knapp's Building and used that space along with the surface lot across Washtenaw for a sculpture park...there it would have the giant Cooley mural right above the park to top it off.
"City Garden" in St. Louis that just opened in July is a wild sucess, but it's right in the heart of the downtown area. It would be a good model along with Millenium Park in Chicago for something.
But maybe this is the kind of off-the-wall project needed to jump-start the area. If this is designed well and everything is maintained it ought to be great for the area, they can begin to draw people making mixed use projects an easier sell.
Also, maybe a good sculpture for the site would be the old "This Equals That," if I remember right they estimated it would cost like $100k to restore it and clad it in copper. I think that would make a very good centerpiece.
Hood, I agree that this could be a REALLY cool thing. But a huge part of it's success will depend on how well it is maintained and that I think is going to be questionable. Maybe Lansing Gateway would pick up again and then that area really could take off. Check the link below for the City Garden in St. Louis I referenced before. This is brand new and doing very well so far, drawing people at all hours and on the weekends...but a big part of that is the location. It's not that the location of Lansing's sculpture park will prevent it from doing well, I'm just saying a better location would more easily ensure it's success (not that it won't succeed where it is).
Comments
The nearly completed Chiller Plant:
Apparently the owner of the 711 E Kalamazoo St property wants to turn the land into a sculpture park. It sounds like a pretty neat idea.
"City Garden" in St. Louis that just opened in July is a wild sucess, but it's right in the heart of the downtown area. It would be a good model along with Millenium Park in Chicago for something.
Also, maybe a good sculpture for the site would be the old "This Equals That," if I remember right they estimated it would cost like $100k to restore it and clad it in copper. I think that would make a very good centerpiece.
http://theurbanophile.blogspot.com/2009/07/st-louis-city-garden-and-millennium.html