When Did a Park Become a Mall?

I was under the impression that the purpose of an urban park was to create a quiet, green oasis away from the hustle and bustle of commerce. So it confounds me that the Libeskind plan for the Civic Center literally bustles with hustle. A shopping arcade, an ice-skating rink, a...

By Michael Roberts

October 3, 2006

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I was under the impression that the purpose of an urban park was to create a quiet, green oasis away from the hustle and bustle of commerce. So it confounds me that the Libeskind plan for the Civic Center literally bustles with hustle. A shopping arcade, an ice-skating rink, a wave pool and an international pavilion of culture and food: Why not just scrap the park and build a strip mall? I suppose the supporters of the plan are hoping that if built, the new attractions would scare away the dreaded homeless. Additional money would then be needed to deal with the homeless elsewhere!

For the second in my series of ideas for how to fix the park, click here. For the first, click here.-- Kenny Be

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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