Can past help us decide?



Pedestrian mall made business walk away from area



Wes Johnson

News-Leader



Earl Newman's first day on the job was memorable because it changed the course of Springfield's downtown history. "June 3, 1974," said Newman, the city's traffic engineer. "I was in charge of making sure the square was closed to traffic so it could become a pedestrian mall."



The concept, backed by city leaders and downtown businesses, seemed like a good idea at the time. But many now say it was the biggest blunder in the square's 171-year history.



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I didn't know they were putting a library on the square. That would be a great addition and really draw more people during the day time hours. I used to walk to work downtown from the msu campus (about a mile or so) and during the day there are not many people there but at night it is packed. I know i can never find a public library in this town so i would use it. In recent years they have really been trying to redevelop the square and they have done a pretty good job.

^ I think the library branch will be a big plus for Park Central Square. It will occupy the old Kresge's space on the SW corner of the square, which should complement the redevelopment of Heer's nicely. Last I heard, it's going to include a cafe, a small area for performances (sounds like there'll be a spot for acoustic music or open mic nights), and it will have later hours than other Springfield-Greene County library branches.



As part of the deal to redevelop Heer's, Kevin McGowan got the City of Springfield to agree to improvements at Park Central Square. I actually like the 1970s vibe that the square has, but the band shelter at the NW corner by Heer's has long been a hangout for homeless people. I think that particular issue will diminish once Heer's is redeveloped, but I can't blame McGowan for insisting on improvements. It still wouldn't hurt to improve lighting, add landscaping, and add features like sculptures or a new water feature to replace the fountain on the NE corner that might attract attention and draw more people into the square.



I can't believe some people in Springfield have suggested returning the square to its pre-1970 form, which was essentially a parking lot. There will be plenty of parking in the immediate area in the next year or so when the Heer's and College Station parking garages are complete. The square could be a great gathering place for Springfield once again, and with all of the great things going on downtown, I can't believe some people there care so little. (But, why should I be surprised, when we fight the same battles here in Saint Louis?)

While the debate rages on over what to do in the middle of the square, the refurbishing of the outer square is moving along nicely. Currently the southwest corner is fenced off while sidewalk and landscaping improvements are made, and I believe it will progress counterclockwise from there. That particular corner contains the previously mentioned new library and connecting coffee shop so that is most likely a good place to start IMO.



Downtown has been slowly but surely growing beyond the square and fixing it up will be important to maintain its status as the central hub of activity. Hopefully by the time the spring Art Walks roll around that portion will be completed so access to the library will be easier. It (the library) has turned out just as awesome as ThreeOneFour described!