Matt Tuerk, consider this an open letter to you. Union Terrace (now Joseph Daddona Terrace) has never looked worse, or never was it in more immediate need of intervention.
The double stairwell down from St. Elmo Street is degraded. Worse yet, shown above, the northern end corner of the stage mound wall is about to collapse from shameful neglect.
Mr. Mayor, Please don't allow the park department to tell me that they will seek a grant from Trexler Trust, and that they will send a consultant to recommend what kind of mortar to use on the repair. Please just send a mason and fix it.
Sincerely, Michael Molovinsky, Advocate for the traditional park system and the WPA
Part of me wants to give Tuerk a pass for the city's inaction because he just took office. But I've seen him running and biking throughout the West End, and he didn't just start doing THAT since he was elected. So surely he more than anyone else should be aware of the condition of Union Terrace and other WPA features (and ready to act). If not, he's the most unobservant human being on the planet and we're all doomed.
ReplyDeleteDoes he lack an appreciation of these structures because he's not originally from the area? Does he just assume that the structures won't deteriorate further? Could he be that oblivious to the condition of our park system, that has huge potential to draw residents and business investment to the city, despite campaigning that this was his specialty?
The time for him to act is NOW. It's not just the stage, although that's probably the most urgent repair right now. It's the larger stairwell, that you mention. It's also the ground level steps that would be easy to get someone working on and wouldn't require an excessive level of skill to stabilize.
These aren't repairs that can be put off, and they can't be made at all times of the year because of the weather. There is a very short window to act, and the time for action is NOW. He needs use his ability as Mayor to move money in the budget and get people out there.
P.S. - The UT pond is once again covered in algae. The circulating fountain that is usually placed in the center of the pond and takes care of the problem hasn't been put back out this year (at least since the last time I was there before Memorial Day). Where is the Tuerk's Parks Department? Has the Parks Department lost so many experienced workers that there is nobody left who can even remember what they did LAST YEAR? This isn't rocket science, it's pretty basic stuff.
It looks like the grass is too high, he should give the city a fine. Weeds growing on top as well as in the damage the fine should be put on pawalskis slumlordians wall of shame.
ReplyDeleteanon@6:41: The pond is a mess, and it is still early summer! The park department doesn't consider the WPA any sort of priority. Rather than budget the repairs, they seek grants. The Trexler Trust wants to send consultants before they grant money. SHM
ReplyDeleteanon@7:29: The grass is well cut at UT. Because of invasive species the parks are now finally cutting back the buffers, but have yet to cut the last row of weed wall along the creek, I suppose homage to their master the Wildlands Conservancy. Ironically the dominant plant in that narrow strip is Poison Hemlock, the worst of the invasives. Watch out for your pets and children!