What would be better on the "Mount Pleasant" site in Scranton?

[scrantonluna]

Originally Posted by weluvpa

The med school needs space in LJC so they gave LJC the building at Nay Aug to free up space in their building.

I had mentioned it before in discussions about
the old zoo, but it was never slated to be an
option for that building. I think they would
need much more space for either.

[ScranBarre]

I propose three separate usages for the entire plot of land. A new thriving park in the midsection (detailed below) would be anchored at one end by a new cultural amenity that would help to draw in families from throughout the region (science center? IMAX theater? "The Office" museum? aquarium? aviary?) and the other end would be anchored by a new mid-rise mixed-use project with a Trader Joe's on the first floor with middle-class condos or apartments overhead for five or six floors overlooking the park and the downtown skyline. The Trader Joe's would permit people from Hyde Park to walk over for cheap wine and good deals on groceries, and it would help to sustain the new lofts coming downtown.

The park itself should have a skate park with some half-pipes and places for kids to ride their BMX bikes. It should also have a small pavilion similar to the one at Nay Aug Park that could host free weekly concerts in the summer or even free weekly children's "movie nights." A stocked trout pond would be nice as well so that the kids could fish without fear of falling into the river. In lieu of a public pool (I'm thinking space might be tight) there could be a cement pad like they have in larger cities with jets that spray water straight up for kids to run through on sweltering days. Perhaps there can be a small fenced dog park also. Finally, here in my Reston, VA neighborhood we have a seasonal outdoor ice skating rink that doubles as open space in the warmer months for festivals, the weekly farmer's market, etc. That might be nice too---moving the farmer's market to a more VISIBLE and EASILY-ACCESSIBLE location!

[blip]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

I propose three separate usages for the entire plot of land. A new thriving park in the midsection (detailed below) would be anchored at one end by a new cultural amenity that would help to draw in families from throughout the region (science center? IMAX theater? "The Office" museum? aquarium? aviary?) and the other end would be anchored by a new mid-rise mixed-use project with a Trader Joe's on the first floor with middle-class condos or apartments overhead for five or six floors overlooking the park and the downtown skyline. The Trader Joe's would permit people from Hyde Park to walk over for cheap wine and good deals on groceries, and it would help to sustain the new lofts coming downtown.

The park itself should have a skate park with some half-pipes and places for kids to ride their BMX bikes. It should also have a small pavilion similar to the one at Nay Aug Park that could host free weekly concerts in the summer or even free weekly children's "movie nights." A stocked trout pond would be nice as well so that the kids could fish without fear of falling into the river. In lieu of a public pool (I'm thinking space might be tight) there could be a cement pad like they have in larger cities with jets that spray water straight up for kids to run through on sweltering days. Perhaps there can be a small fenced dog park also. Finally, here in my Reston, VA neighborhood we have a seasonal outdoor ice skating rink that doubles as open space in the warmer months for festivals, the weekly farmer's market, etc. That might be nice too---moving the farmer's market to a more VISIBLE and EASILY-ACCESSIBLE location!

Great idea, Scran. My first thought was, "not enough room for all that," but there should be, given that the current plan includes 5 office park office buildings.

So it'd be mixed use buildings at the Linden / 7th ave sides, park in the middle, and then the cultural amenity tucked in the back? Only downsides I see to this are: cultural amenity would be hard to reach by foot, and then all the cars going to it would have to go through the park. Also, would need to make sure the park felt public, and not closed off by the mixed use buildings.

I like the idea of a playground fountain--we're more into them than pools, for a quick cooling off by the kids. I also like the idea of luring the farmers market (or some sort of farmers market) there. The current location of the SFM is pretty poor imho.

I wonder about the demand for housing there, though it would seem quite convenient. (Easy, flat walk downtown, easy highway access, grocery store across the street, River Walk right there.) Maybe would depend on what sort of other amenities could be lured into such a project--Trader Joe's would be quite a draw.

I still might prefer just a larger park (and hoping other good projects happen organically nearby), but something like this would have a lot of other pluses.

[weluvpa]

The park would be trashed 6 months after it opened and the mayors friend would never allow a ice-park next to his(ice box).

It will fall down in 3-5 years from lack of maintenance, like everything else in the city...Nay Aug ampitheater comes to mind.

Have you not learned that unless its an election year and a photo-op is needed things like that NEVER happen around here. There is no financial benefit for the powers that be nor is there political gain to be had from it.

It will sit empty and become a race track for quads and parking place for drinking if it does not become an office park.

The office park mind you that will kill the downtown business district or at least whats left of it at this point.

[blip]

Originally Posted by weluvpa

Have you not learned that unless its an election year and a photo-op is needed things like that NEVER happen around here. There is no financial benefit for the powers that be nor is there political gain to be had from it.

It is still an election year, sorta. And, there could still be some decent construction and landscaping contracts in it for the cronies.

[go phillies]

Originally Posted by weluvpa

Have you not learned that unless its an election year and a photo-op is needed things like that NEVER happen around here. There is no financial benefit for the powers that be nor is there political gain to be had from it.

Although isn't it always an election year for Doherty? He'll be on the campaign trail for congressman or Lt. Gov. before long and looking for new photo ops.