From: Field, Mike D. (MBS) [mailto:Mike.Field@mortgagefamily.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 11:33 AM
To: Peyton, John ; Webb, Jack ; Yarborough, Clay; Bishop, Bill ; Clark, Richard ; Redman, Don ; Shad, Art ; Gaffney, Johnny; Lee, Denise; Jones, Warren ; Brown, Reginald ; Crescimbeni, John ; Joost, Stephen; Holt, Ray; Davis, Daniel ; Corrigan, Michael ; Fussell, Ronnie ; Hyde, Kevin ; Johnson, Glorious
Cc: Smith, Dianne
Subject: Monroe Street closure/Courthouse public plaza

Good morning ladies and gentlemen of Council.

I am writing in support of Mayor Peyton and the JEDC’s proposal to permanently close Monroe Street in front of the new courthouse in favor of a public plaza that would serve to be more pedestrian friendly and reduce the massive scale of the building itself.

Countless studies and white papers by such organizations as the Civic Council, JEDC and DVI have made it very clear that our downtown core must be more walkable and liveable.   We need such a large capital project as the courthouse to be able to contribute to downtown’s sense of place.  The courthouse has been the largest development in downtown since the recession began, and we must ensure that this centerpiece of development is congruent with the core ideals we seek to achieve in our core.  Now more than ever, our legislative actions must coordinate with the work of the various organizations aimed at revitalizing our downtown core. 

I’m sure discussions about the courthouse from your constituents have been a thorn in your side for many years.  It has been a boondoggle from the beginning.  I understand these frustrations.  However, as this council enters its latest cycle the most positive thing about this public plaza is that it will be an opportunity to get something right about the courthouse that our community will enjoy for many years to come.

A very good representation of how such a public plaza contributes to a sense of place is found in Nashville ’s new courthouse seen below.  During the day, this plaza is abuzz with activity.  Attorneys come and go.  Jurors bask in Tennessee ’s beautiful weather and downtown customers enjoy lunch purchased from a vendor in the plaza.

By adding a public plaza, the scale of the building will be more friendly at the pedestrian level.  The current visual of the courthouse with the surrounding area is stark.  It was a building built with suburban-like features, set in an urban area.  Softening this visual representation with complementary public space inviting pedestrian activity and the resulting economic benefits(in the form of complementary restaurants, food vendors and retail serving courthouse employees and patrons) will only enhance the downtown experience.

I have attached some pictures of very inexpensive options to encourage food vendors in such a public plaza.

As far as traffic concerns, the courthouse parking garage's main entrance is on Clay Street .  To access the garage from Monroe , one would have to take this loop around the courthouse, turn right on Pearl.  After a block on Pearl , turn right on Adams and drive a block before making a left on Clay.  That's a lot of unnecessary vehicle movement in what is supposed to be a pedestrian friendly downtown.  Its much  easier to send courthouse traffic down Forsyth, enabling users to make a left onto Clay.

Furthermore, the proposed BRT station will be a block north at Broad and Duval.  Working with JTA to move the station south would allow public transportation to be integrated into plaza itself.  The more uses you can throw into a well designed public space, the better chance it will become an every day center of activity (something the Northbank really lacks right now).

Reopening Monroe only makes downtown more autocentric.  If we listen to the very loud echoes of downtown advocates, it is clear that our core must be more pedestrian friendly.

The monies for this plaza are already budgeted.  If we took money away to build a road, how much more would a half moon shaped street be to construct?  Roads are very expensive.  I can guarantee you this would cost more than a public plaza, and only serve to defeat what our downtown core is seeking to create… a compact, walkable core area.

When you debate this bill, it is only fair to present the alternative UNBUDGETED stretch of Monroe Street reconstruction/realignment.

From a cost, safety, and overall downtown experience perspective... this public plaza is the only choice that makes sense for our community. 

I urge you to support the public plaza.

Thank you for your time and service,

Mike Field

4232 Palmer Avenue