Wednesday, May 24, 2006
DEBATES SPROUT UP FOR SELBY FIVE POINTS PARK
Just five months into the planning process, the future of Selby Five Points Park is already turning into a Sarasota version of the 9/11 Memorial debacle. The city chose a landscape architect and accepted six of his concepts for the park earlier this year, but the Downtown Partnership rejected them for their lack of creativity.
At a luncheon sponsored by the Partnership yesterday, the group discussed a concept of its own that builds upon some of the key elements proposed by the city’s architect while replacing the grass areas with a 90-foot-wide water feature.
But the Partnership doesn’t want to be the final say on the matter—it hopes the new concept will inspire the city to hire another designer to create a “world-class park.” They say one way to get that world-c lass design is to sponsor a national competition with a jury panel.
Ron McCollough, chair of the Partnership’s Five Points Park committee, added that the group is willing to take a leadership role in finding additional resources for the project.
“You basically said design is what matters and we’ll worry about the money later,” responded Mayor Fredd “Glossie” Atkins. “Money matters.”
Additional funding could come from the downtown business improvement district that’s being proposed, said Ian Black, chairman of the Downtown Partnership. “If we close the doors and accept mediocrity,” Black said, “we’re going to get mediocrity.”
Selby Gardens president and CEO Roger Birkel offered the expertise of his staff in planning and maintaining a unique park for the city. Ultimately, the design of the park will be determined by the city commission. City planning staff will report to the commission at a 6 pm meeting June 8. The public and other community groups will also have an opportunity to provide input at the meeting.
[SRQ Magazine]
Just five months into the planning process, the future of Selby Five Points Park is already turning into a Sarasota version of the 9/11 Memorial debacle. The city chose a landscape architect and accepted six of his concepts for the park earlier this year, but the Downtown Partnership rejected them for their lack of creativity.
At a luncheon sponsored by the Partnership yesterday, the group discussed a concept of its own that builds upon some of the key elements proposed by the city’s architect while replacing the grass areas with a 90-foot-wide water feature.
But the Partnership doesn’t want to be the final say on the matter—it hopes the new concept will inspire the city to hire another designer to create a “world-class park.” They say one way to get that world-c lass design is to sponsor a national competition with a jury panel.
Ron McCollough, chair of the Partnership’s Five Points Park committee, added that the group is willing to take a leadership role in finding additional resources for the project.
“You basically said design is what matters and we’ll worry about the money later,” responded Mayor Fredd “Glossie” Atkins. “Money matters.”
Additional funding could come from the downtown business improvement district that’s being proposed, said Ian Black, chairman of the Downtown Partnership. “If we close the doors and accept mediocrity,” Black said, “we’re going to get mediocrity.”
Selby Gardens president and CEO Roger Birkel offered the expertise of his staff in planning and maintaining a unique park for the city. Ultimately, the design of the park will be determined by the city commission. City planning staff will report to the commission at a 6 pm meeting June 8. The public and other community groups will also have an opportunity to provide input at the meeting.
[SRQ Magazine]
