Nick Spencer's blog covers the plans for fountain square. I like most of the plans but not all of them. I really do like the idea of reclaiming or repurposing the Westin lobby for resturants. The Kinko's and FastSign (on the NE corner of the square) do seem like thriving businesses but it not like those things need a street level presence to succeed. They are much like the post office in that they are all provide support infrastructure for other businesses. Businesses will still find them and seek them out if they move locations.
I am ambivilent about moving the fountain to the center of the square. Prehaps if I saw some renderings or 3-D diagrams of what is proposed I might be swayed, but I am happy with it where it is and couldn't imagine what the expense of moving the fountain would be.
I don't like the idea of getting rid of the skywalk. For someone who has worked downtown for the last 6 years, the skywalk's shelter from the rain has always been nice for my group of friends when we are headed to lunch or the post office. I'd say keep it.
I also have reservations of axing the performance stage alltogether. I think some kind of permenant stage should exist since so many civic groups do things on the square during the summer (although admittedly these "events" are usually lackluster). What I would support is making a smaller, less intrusive stage. Right now its a hulking ugly structure. I think it could be redone a way that is a bit more subtle.
Lastly, I share his concerns about funding for these iniatives. Money is so tight now and there are lots of other things I would like to see done like the parking garages between Great American Ballpark and the Freedom Center.
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