Plaza Plans
By Dana Dugan
Anyone who has visited the great old cities of Europe knows that a central gathering place or plaza enhances the life of a community. This year, Ketchum aims to build a proper town plaza after years of doing without.
But this will be no simple plaza. It is envisioned as a multi-functional and a central location for year-round festivals, concerts, markets, gatherings, and everyday pedestrian-friendly retail and leisure use.
The new Town Square will be located across from Giaccobi Square between Leadville and East Ave., along the Fourth Street Heritage Corridor in downtown Ketchum. (Just south of Leroy’s ice cream stand.) "A Town square will support the downtown core during this difficult economic time, provide a place to celebrate who we are, and encourage the community dialogue that will help us move into the future," Bates said.
Conceived by the Ketchum Community Development Corporation’s Design Team, with architect Dale Bates of Living Architecture as chair, the park is Phase 1 as outlined in Ketchum’s Master Plan, adopted in 2006. According to the city, future phases include redevelopment of the town square with three additional buildings and underground parking.
The plaza will be funded by 75 percent contributions and 25 percent city funded. A $100,000 donation from local resident and philanthropist Tina Mehan kicked the whole thing off. According to Bates, Ketchum will fund its share of the project through “relocations of existing infrastructure projects and will not require funds from the URA, bonds, or other tax-generating sources.”
The City plans for a Town Square ribbon cutting by July 2, 2010, just in time for the high summer tourism season. The plaza would include features such as pavers (ubiquitous around Ketchum), clearly marked entry points, a fire pit, lighting, tables, chairs and benches, and areas for temporary vendors, such as food carts. The design concepts will be available for public review and comment at a Planning and Zoning Dept. workshop, Monday, Jan. 25, at the Ketchum City Hall.
"This is a great opportunity for our community, but we need private donations to make it happen," Bates said.
People interested in the Town Square effort may direct questions to Ketchum Parks & Recreation at 726-7820 or the Ketchum CDC at 727-2117. Tax-deductible donations are encouraged and may be made to either the non-profit KCDC or the Parks & Recreation Department’s memorial fund.
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Reader Comments:
Oh great, more pavers.