again, ark points out the obvious to most citizens, but leadership doesn't seem to grasp the idea of wasted blocks, grounds, businesses, etc. we have all of these tiny parking spaces in way too many places in downtown and midtown. when i go to visit friends in midtown---heaven forbid, an invitation to a large party---parking is usually a nightmare. cox, mcclean, and many of the off streets near poplar ave are terrible. then you read about those who go through the roof about any proposals to build a 7-8 level parking garage. there is an article in the forum now that discusses the changes that have been made to make parking garages more attractive---one e.g. i think refers to a b'ham picture. i thought it was on the west side of downtown uab, but someone pointed out that i was incorrect, and they named the actual location. at any rate, homewood, a suburb of b'ham, has some recently completed projects that are civic in nature, and they are very attractive, the same in beautiful mountain brook. my point, and my alignment w/ ark on these issues, is really valid and sensible. it really bothers me to look across from 201 poplar and see so much wasted ground, but you see so many trying to locate parking. why not put retail or office in some of that particular space, and build a paring garage that accommodates several hundred cars. it bothers me to see retail possibilities take a back seat to the little group of investors that band together and put up one that is usually too small and bound to be overly priced.
what happened to the 2007 or earlier drawings of infill (I think I brought this up a few weeks ago), in which signage, pretty towers, etc. one could easily use some of these wasted or poorly utilized ground spaces to build small cafes, descent-looking permanent information centers. these could be placed in strategic places throughout downtown and midtown, and they could offer magazines, reading materials and other reading aides, gum, tv guides, and so on, and so forth. this could cause some to be annoyed; however, i am just trying to point out some of the things that could be created. even, bike rentals, bike parking for certain sections of downtown. if we can waste so much time arguing over park names, then we could move towards some public discussion on what the public might like to have available as they walk, run, ride or get around throughout the city. ***this computer keyboard types out fine, most of the time, however; it suddenly begins skipping letters. it isn't my computer, but i have had some trouble w/ it in the past, after the owner spilled a small amount of brownie crumbs onto the board. i ended up cleaning it w/ pressurized air, but it is becoming a real problem. i just read my last post, and i realized how much.
nevertheless, there seems to be so much wasted space, but when proposals are made that require entrances and exits, delivery areas, the building itself, parking, and other code requirements or restrictions, i see some of the first comments have to do w/ limited space here, and limited space here, there, etc. it seems to me that space, if class A office is so limited and needed to attract corporate and other business, then an immediate plan would be drawn up and implemented. seemingly, however, the problem remains, and no solution for the future. another point, why not consider increasing density by really careful placement of buildings and the ht of those buildings. i believe lebonheur prepared its' tower for additional vertical rise, but it seems that memphis sticks to the 8,9,12, 14, and the memphis "empire" building of 16 stories. again, that only leads our pretty downtown to looking at a static block. i sort of thought the bioresearch center would add to the eastern side of downtown. if lucky, i think the old 21 story holiday inn is going to be the established ht. i can't help but visualize how nice a 32 story glass and steel tower would be, instead of the 4 eight story buildings. i miss the beauty and strength of the old baptist central hospital. oh well! as for the new logo redraw of the pyramid, it has become drab. bringing green sod walls up to where the eye should not be is not flattering. it takes away from the windows, which helped break up some of the surface area. the inclinator and the cone also are purposed elements for the eye, also: not only something of necessity. the log entrance doesn't work against the steel, and i just don't think a professional consultant (a time when one should have been used---less is more.) disappointing. yet, if infill is to be worked on for the north memphis and pinch district, the new plan proposed about two weeks ago will give the city up to 25 years to get it right. maybe, by then, a national search can be mandated, by law, to find a city manager or mayor.
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