As I discuss at length in “Park-ing
problems,” the Rauner-backed North Mansion Y-Block Development Group NFP
has proposed to fill the vacant Y block with a block-square park whose main
features would be a 12-story clocktower/observation deck and a “wonderwall,”
similar to the video tower in Chicago’s Millennium Park.
These features have been talked about for months, and I
thought and said when they were first announced that they were among the
silliest thing I’d ever heard of. A wonder wall’s enthusiasts have suggested
that it might project movies, state Capitol hearings, a community calendar or
Chicago Cubs World Series games. I can’t think of a nicer place to watch a ball
game than standing on a windswept plaza at night in November, can you? As for
statehouse hearings, the city will have to exempt the block from regulations
banning sleeping in public places.
Sorry. Watching a big TV is still just watching TV.
Then there is the tower. A public clock set to Springfield
time (ten years slow) will be of little use in a deserted downtown. As for the
observation deck, it would offer views of little except the mansion grounds
across the way, where for the five buck admission price you might get a glimpse
of plutocrats at play, like the viewing platforms in African safari parks. A
12-story observation deck won’t wow the yokels after they’ve been to the
skydeck of the Willis Tower unless they rig a zip line between this tower and
the top of the statehouse dome–although at least state legislators wouldn’t be the only ones who could feel what it’s like to go downhill really fast at the statehouse.
The Rauner group’s argues that the spending of public money
is justified because this collection of second-rate carnival attractions will boost tourist
spending, that it will be “an extra [tourist] site and an extra reason (for tourists) to stay in Springfield.” The dream that advanced gimcrackery will excite tourists not only to come to Springfield but tarry here overnight refuses to die. It’s been tried more than once in downtown Springfield and failed each time. (See “Bowls on a stick,” March 9, 2017.) If there is any increase in tourist spending, it is likely to be by Springfieldians eager to get out of town to
find something fun to do.
This article appears in May 25-31, 2017.
