I just returned from the Grand Center public forum. I would estimate there were somewhere between 150 and 180 people in attendance, with almost everyone being seated on the stage at Powell Hall. The entire proceedings were being taped by Channel 9, but it wasn't clear where or if the recording will be made available online.
After an introduction by Fred Bronstein, the main part of the session took the form of a slide presentation by Donald Stastny, outlining his group's concepts for Grand Center. This was followed by questions from audience members moderated by Mr. Stastny's associate Jennifer (Mannheim?). Alderwoman Marlene Davis was present, but only spoke during the Q&A session.
The current proposal focuses on the stretch of Grand between Delmar and Olive, together with three "spokes" either side of this axis, viz., Delmar, Washington and Olive between Spring on the west and just past Theresa on the east. Auxiliary north-south axes along Theresa and Spring may also be earmarked for redevelopment, with the portion of Spring between Olive and Washington undergoing a major transformation.
As regards Grand itself, the focus is on making the segment running through GC more pedestrian-friendly, which will involve a "road diet" to reduce it to three regular lanes plus parking lanes, with concomitant widening of the sidewalks to 18 feet and removal of the various obstacles that currently obstruct pedestrians. Similar measures will also be implemented on the "spokes" and parallel axes. Concern was expressed as to whether this narrowing of the roads in GC would exacerbate the existing traffic problems when Powell Hall and the Fox let out, and whether the constriction on Grand itself would cause trouble once the Grand overpass reopens and traffic volume returns to normal. The designers are apparently in discussions with the city's traffic department about this. The need to increase access by public transit was also discussed during the Q&A session, with specific reference to the proposals for bus rapid transit and the Olive streetcar project.
The subject of the excessive surface parking lots was brought up repeatedly by both Mr. Stastny and various audience members. At present, each institution in GC has its own agenda regarding parking and a coordinated policy is desirable. One audience member raised the possibility of building a parking garage to reduce the need for so many lots, but there was no explicit plan for a new garage at this stage, and Mr. Stastny seemed more interested in improving the experience of people walking between the existing lots and the venues in GC.
The other key element of the overall concept is to transform the neighborhood into a genuine community that is active all day, as opposed to a place that only comes alive for a few hours on evenings when there's a show or concert. It's intended to achieve this 24-hour activity by adding attractions that will bring people into the area during the day, as well as by increasing the number of full-time residents. However, it was pointed out that there are currently only a handful of spaces suitable for small businesses, making it difficult to attract enough stores, etc., to make the place a shopping/browsing destination. The possible construction of premises suitable for small businesses as infill on lots to the east of Grand was mentioned, and another idea is to create a concentration of artists-in-residence, but the financial aspect of this latter proposal seemed somewhat nebulous. There was also some talk of instituting walking tours focusing on the historical aspects of GC. A more pragmatic audience member pointed out that they need to find ways to bring people into the area who are ready and able to spend money there; if the visitors just come to look and don't patronize the businesses they won't survive. Another audience member emphasized the need to offer some form of free parking to accommodate browsers, etc., who would otherwise tend to stay away.
There will be another forum in late September or October to discuss the provisional plan in its more developed form, after which it will be presented to the City leaders. Meanwhile, anyone wishing to make comments on the existing plans or offer alternative suggestions is invited to write to Mr. Stastny's group at the following address:
gcplan2011@gmail.com
