Council approves Park Central Square design

The design is planned in phases. Phase I, which would include filling the inner square to bring the area up to grade, adding green areas and renovating the existing fountain, could be completed within the city’s current $1 million budget.

The plan for subsequent phases includes streetscape improvements for the four roads leading into the square, four media towers with speakers and lights, and a canopy over the square’s center to create an area for outdoor performances and shows.

Concern had been raised about changing the current square design, created by noted landscape architect Lawrence Halprin. Halprin designed, among other projects, the FDR Memorial in Washington, D.C., and Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco.

Halprin extended an invitation to city staff and designers to visit him in San Francisco and discuss ways to modernize the square while maintaining its historic characteristics.

Council, however, decided to move forward with the project, citing in part the agreement with Heer’s developer Kevin McGowan that the city will begin renovating the square by Aug. 1.

Councilman Dan Chiles, the lone dissenting vote on the proposal, said that despite the council’s vote, he is not giving up on the idea of meeting with Halprin.

“We have a unique opportunity to meet with the guy that is America’s foremost landscape architect, the guy that designed our square more than 30 years ago,” Chiles said, noting that the trip would cost about $10,000. “I think it’s a remarkable opportunity, and I think we should avail ourselves of it.”