Cydney Millstein works my last nerve sometimes. It's all well and good to honor an architect's vision -- to a point. When the space doesn't work for the people who visit and reside here, then that makes the argument for changing it. McClanahan makes all the right arguments. Why not honor the ORIGINAL architect's vision, Magonicle, and not the second one who was brought in later?
New York's Central Park works better because of the additions of flower gardens, ornamental structures, terraces, and fountains. Millstein is much too rigid in her views. She thinks her preferred designer is without fault, and makes no errors. When the park doesn't attract people regularly, it's not an effective design. It might as well be a cemetery, which would at least attract funerals regularly.
She would be right to protest lining Memorial Drive with fast-food restaurants with drive-up windows. However, not all ideas or changes are bad if they are well-conceived.
Besides, the LIberty Memorial has already been modified from the original design.
https://pendergastkc.org/article/liber ... n-and-nowCompleted in 2006, the $102-million project, overseen by Kansas City-based architects Abend Singleton Associates Inc., involved the restoration of existing structures, and on the memorial’s south side, the construction of a terraced garden and reflecting pool. This provided the forecourt to a new, subterranean, 80,000 square foot study center and museum with exhibits designed by Ralph Applebaum and Associates of New York.
Remember that Moishe Safdie's building design for Berstein-Rein--on the Plaza--was demolished because it was considered an undesirable design for most tenants. The building was never occupied.
Where the hell is Cydney Millstein preventing the renaming of The Paseo, because the boulevard is on the National Register of Historic Places -- under that name? Crickets.
I just hope that eventually people will ignore Cydney Millstein, and make changes to Penn Valley Park that will attract regular users, and improve the experience for everyone.