Dear Editor:
Re: Desperate for shade at the Agora
Whoever approved the site-plan and design for the Agora, didn't give the matter a great deal of consideration. But then, whoever approved the contracts for the whole nightmare, involving the renovation of the park, didn't seem to have a clue, either.
Contracts usually have a negotiated cost, and timeline, none of which seemed to apply in this case.
How many times did they come back, wanting more money? It seemed, a never-ending process. Now, after millions of dollars, we'll have to spend more, to get rid of a useless eyesore, and build something that's functional.
The Dow People Place was well used by many groups. Had it been outfitted with a new and enlarged staging area, with updated facilities and fittings, it would have been good, for years to come. Already, it had a roofed area, with lots of built-in seating (a plus, for those unable to carry lawn chairs).
When it comes time to build the Agora's replacement, why not make it an updated version, of Dow People Place. While the old one wasn't an artsy "showpiece," it was a functional "show, place," which served the community well, even into winter.
We don't need outside consultants conducting more studies to tell us what we need. We have local people, equally as qualified, who understand the geography, land issues, and how the community uses that space. If we must shell out more cash, let's give it to someone local, who, one day, may find themselves attending the place they helped create.
D. Allan