Thursday, March 10, 2005

Anonymous designer submits plan for Shain Park

An anonymous designer has submitted to the city a detailed and credible concept plan for Shain Park that includes one level of underground parking and many of the amenities that have been widely suggested since the city completed its 2016 Plan in 1996.

City Commissioners and City Manager Tom Markus received the plan this week. In a cover letter, the designer describes the plan as a "gift." The city had been prepared to spend up to $80,000 on such a concept plan. The design focuses on plans for the park, and is expected to satisfy many members of the community, including commissioners such as Dianne McKeon, who have insisted that the city focus on the park, rather than the parking, as it moves toward redevelopment of Shain and the city's surface parking lot adjacent to the Community House. The plan also provides a graphic depiction of what might be done with the property, another crucial element if the city intends to ask voters to approve the cost of the parking structure.

The plans do not include elevation drawings, which go a long way toward helping the untrained eye envision the design. But architect Christopher Longe, who has seen the plans, says such drawings could and should be completed soon and without much difficulty.

Longe, a Buzz editor, will scan the plan and make it available for distribution. The Buzz will publish it, along with a key to important elements, as soon as an electronic version is available.