Council gives go-ahead for square design

The resolution authorizes design firm Butler, Rosenbury & Partners Inc. to begin work on construction plans for the outer portion of the square, mainly the sidewalks in front of the buildings and possible narrowing of the streets.

The outer square was originally Phase II of BRP’s three-phase design; Phase I called for renovating the inner square by bringing it up to grade, adding green areas and renovating the existing fountain. Phase III would include four media towers and a pavilion in the center of the square.

Phase I, however, is on hold because of the potential historic designation of the inner square’s design by prominent architect Lawrence Halprin.

Council’s approval allows the city to pay BRP $53,700 to design the outer square; final designs should be complete by the end of June. Money for the design comes from streetscape improvement funds and counts toward the city’s required match for a Federal Highway Administration grant.

That will allow the city just enough time, according to Economic Development Director Mary Lilly Smith, to break ground on the square improvements before the Aug. 1 deadline in the city’s contract with St. Louis-based Blue Urban LLC, which is redeveloping the Heer’s building on the square’s west side.