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.
reprinted from June 2022Sincerely, Michael Molovinsky, Advocate for the traditional park system and the WPA
ADDENDUM APRIL 16, 2025:Union Terrace has been repointed, and the mason did an excellent job. Expect some fanfare this spring/summer from the city and Parknership about the restoration. While they're basking in their accomplishment, hopefully they will put the Parkway double stairwell landings on the schedule, because that job is way overdue.
I use the stone staircase at S. 10th Street & MLK several times a summer to carry mike bike up to Union Street. This staircase is generally litter strewn and overgrown with vegetation, but its in very good condition and provides a nice short cut.
ReplyDeleteThat was one of the first restorations I advocated for. I sold Karen El-Chaar on the project when she was at Friends of the parks, and she in turn got a grant from the Trust. As for post restoration maintenance, that is something the city should be doing.
ReplyDeleteMike, the mayor is too busy trying to win re-election. Plus he's going to request about 110million dollar bond to build a new police station 40million which the current chief thinks will be named after him. 🤣 🤣 🤣 and a new fire station, 70 million. Which he wont ask until after the election because then he will surely lose. Mason work isn't on his list. But I agree the parks were once amazing and Mayor Tuerk has done nothing to preserve them.
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