I think the things you find obvious are me trying to summarize points that have come up earlier in this discussion, so yeah, they are obvious. I’m not trying to be provocative making them. It seems to me that some people are fastening on one aspect of this argument (the need for revenue), and I’m just trying to say that I think a more… “holistic” view is necessary–which, you’re right, is not an earth-shattering insight–and that in that larger context, the approach represented by the Valiant proposal is unwise. I’ve tried to articulate why I think that above; you’re welcome to disagree.

Perhaps you should visit some cities that are actually progressive instead of living in one that just pays lip service to it.

“We don’t tax the UofM employees who make their money here, use the facilities but don’t pay any city taxes. I guess these people live in an “un-hick” town.”

Jealous?

Your reply starts with a “poke” implying that she said “Farmer’s Market renders all other public spaces unnecessary”–she did not say that the Farmers Market was a singularly sufficient social forum. Just that it was one. Putting words in someone’s mouth is a bad way to start to build a compelling argument.

You then proceed to say “People live and work and shop and socialize in walkable, livable downtowns”. Rod, they do that everywhere. If you’re going to claim that the park would yield that outcome in a more favorable manner than will a hotel, it is incumbent on you to cite why.

You then proceed to note that there are “A lot of factors go into that” (e.g., density, amenities , etc.). I consider the factors you cite to be obvious. The hard part is weighting them. You fail to offer anything along those lines.

I’m temped to rattle on. However, the above is hopefully sufficient to explain why I judged your reply (just this one, not all of them that you hold)as not “moving the ball forward.”

PS: I don’t blame you for using a pseudonym. If your name ever gets out you’d be exposed to a lot of ridicule.

The Diag really is part of the UM and belongs to the students, faculty and staff of the UM. It is a lovely and important space but I doubt the UM would like us to commandeer it for any purpose other than strolling through it. At one time, many Art Fair activities occurred there but I believe that has been curtailed.

The same is true of the Law Quad. That is a beautiful space that I visit as reverently as though at a museum. I would never think to take a picnic lunch there.

Both West Park and the UM campus are near the downtown but not part of it. Liberty Plaza may be an “unbuilt area” but is very limited in use and doesn’t really provide a sense of open space. Downtown really doesn’t have any open space that is usable by the general population, including those who go there for other reasons than to drink and eat.

Townies like to ignore the industry that makes their hick town worth more than a pile of furniture a dog leaves in a yard.