'Central square' idea floated

EDITOR,

I have long felt that stretch of asphalt between the Fields building and old Home Hardware site holds the key to downtown revitalization. This place really IS the centre of our town and with the planned closing of Fields department store, we may be presented with the opportunity of doing something with it. Redesign the parking and traffic patterns, plant some trees, introduce some green space, a water feature, whatever, and build the "central square" this town is lacking. It would create a place for restaurants and bars with patios that open onto this square and a place for people to naturally congregate.

A charette could help to flush out design ideas and perhaps grants could be sourced to help fund the program. A key benefit, this is a potential short-term deliverable that directly tackles the issue of downtown revitalization and with the cooperation of landowners, district and community, it could provide the boost the area needs.

Mark KerschbaumerKerschbaumer Design

Squamish