PHOTO BY KAREN WITTER
The present state finances appropriated $4 million for “design, development, enhancements and different capital expenditures for the event of the Governor’s Mansion block.” Mayor Misty Buscher says she plans to make it right into a park.
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FIX CURRENT PARKS
Springfield has 36 parks already (“Governor’s Mansion block slated to turn out to be a park,” Oct. 3). Though I’m all for parks, we don’t want a further park at that location. If the town desires to make use of these funds to repair up the present parks we do have, that may be a worthy funding.
I really like the Levitt AMP concert events in the summertime, and I actually want they’d think about doing seasonal concert events. This could be an enormous profit for all the companies in downtown Springfield, not one other park.
Darci Zook
Through Facebook.com/illinoistimes
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A SAD HISTORY
The Y block was previously occupied by greater than the YWCA. The Lincoln Resort was a grand outdated resort with actual class. It was inbuilt 1925 and imploded in 1978. The state deliberate a federal courtroom advanced for the location. Nonetheless, as soon as the good resort was gone, the state modified its thoughts and the lot was an ugly gravel parking zone for many years. This appears to be the state and metropolis’s modus operandi.
Mayor Jim Langfelder proposed creating the location with companies and maybe housing, and he issued a request for proposals. As quickly as ideas had been submitted, he modified his thoughts and determined it ought to stay an open subject. A minimum of it was an enchancment over the gravel parking zone.
So right here we’re, practically 50 years because the Lincoln Resort was demolished, fascinated about maybe planting some bushes.
Richard Leary
Springfield
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HOMELESS HAVEN
This can be a haven for the homeless, all whereas fully ignoring the homeless downside and spending pointless money. To not point out the downtown ZIP code has lower than 1,500 individuals dwelling in it. So who precisely is that this park being constructed for?
James Hamilton
Through Facebook.com/illinoistimes
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THINK BIGGER
Oh positive, that may draw lots of of individuals downtown daily who may in any other case simply keep dwelling or go to Rotary Park, Centennial Park, Duncan Park, Lincoln Park or Washington Park.
With our NAACP historical past and the 1908 lynchings, what would put Springfield on the nationwide map could be having a human rights activist coaching and convention heart proper there. Church buildings, synagogues, cities governments, companies and universities would donate and nominate candidates to attend and take part. Springfield might turn out to be a globally acknowledged metropolis past Abe.
However no, we at present intend to develop the position and bills of the town authorities to determine, shield and clear one other park. We may very well be the start line of a nationwide civil rights path from right here to Alton to Memphis to Birmingham to Montgomery, however some in metropolis authorities need one other park as an alternative of considering huge. Hopefully, this park concept will collapse on itself.
C. S. Stahlman
Springfield
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LESS IS MORE
I am all for the everlasting designation of this house for recreation, however I actually hope the town retains hardscaping and landscaping to a minimal. I believe the simplicity of the open garden has been a part of its appeal and having an unobstructed view of the Governor’s Mansion has been an aesthetic sport changer within the neighborhood. My concern is that the extra the house it constructed out, the much less versatile it will likely be and the less individuals it’ll accommodate.
Ann-Jo Mounce
Through Facebook.com/illinoistimes
