tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17629790.post3184803497495600616..comments2024-03-29T02:23:04.995-06:00Comments on twin city sidewalks: Finding occupyable public space ain’t easy!Bill Lindekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11373780012930618768noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17629790.post-2937534632128841362011-10-22T06:19:09.749-06:002011-10-22T06:19:09.749-06:00I suppose the obvious observation is that since Am...I suppose the obvious observation is that since American life is designed around cars, pedestrian-accessible public spaces simply don't get built.<br /><br />The more sinister undertone is that Americans don't *want* public gatherings any more. I don't know if there's any truth to that, but maybe we can make some conclusions about intentions from observable behavior. Our cities lack public space; ergo, city dwellers don't want public space.<br /><br />The interesting exception is the WI state capitol in Madison. It's among the most accessible major public buildings I've ever seen. The occupation of that building last year is a testament to it being a well-designed public space.Stephen Grosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08704949337738506028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17629790.post-1372324443412284272011-10-18T22:06:03.295-06:002011-10-18T22:06:03.295-06:00I wonder why they didn't pick Peavey Plaza? I...I wonder why they didn't pick Peavey Plaza? It's a bit further from the corporate hq emerald city part of town, but it is across the street from where the news is filmed. I gotta admit, when I heard that they were going to occupy the Government Center Plaza (which I always call the Government Yard in homage a Bob Marley) I was turned off - I'll protest corporations but the government gets enough guff around here.Alexhttp://gettingaroundmpls.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17629790.post-3563743368438070532011-10-18T14:44:40.769-06:002011-10-18T14:44:40.769-06:00I've always felt similarly about Government Pl...I've always felt similarly about Government Plaza. Way too much red brick makes it a pretty boring place most of the time. And the contrast is... granite? Ugh, reminds me of the benches around the University of Minnesota campus which were always too firm, too cold, or too wet to use when I was there.<br /><br />There's also a gigantic fountain taking up much of the plaza's center. I wish designers would be more considerate about building places with water features since they need to be turned off for five months out of the year around here. Anyway, with that in the way, it's very hard to get a critical mass of people there. It's sort of an inside-out plaza.<br /><br />I heard they were considering moving to the U.S. Bank plaza across the street, at least for shelter/sleep (since that's city rather than county jurisdiction), though I don't know if they've actually attempted it yet.Mike Hickshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15257599090818492294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17629790.post-43623667737457704432011-10-18T13:34:06.324-06:002011-10-18T13:34:06.324-06:00The occupy protest is probably the most use that p...The occupy protest is probably the most use that plaza has ever had. I also think it's telling how the middle of the plaza is dissected by 6th St - the road is more important than the people.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08941096664916784865noreply@blogger.com