Letter to the Editor: Shade is vital to the greenspace needs

Form follows function. If the function of this green space is to bring people downtown for music and other events, it’s time to build a building that resembles this function. In a management class years ago I remember the instructor saying solve the big problems first, which is shade and the little problems — restrooms and a stage — will resolve themselves.

The roof would have four or more 10-foot wide by 20-foot long tinted retractable skylights to let the outside inside. Retractable skylights come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. The three walls would consist of 12-by-16 tinted glass garage doors to let the outside inside. A garage door wall would be cheaper than a brick-and-mortar wall.

Imagine an open-air park and shelter where we can control Mother Nature. No event would ever get rained out. If the storm was coming from the west we close the west garage doors and leave the others open. With all the doors closed, it would look like a glass bubble.

Every decent park has good shade which makes it user friendly. Shade is our biggest problem. Trees attract birds and bird poop, tree roots tear up concrete, and we are always cleaning up branches and leaves after storms. Trees are a maintenance nightmare and the bigger they get the bigger problem they create. Trees have no business downtown other than they create havoc. 

In downtown Sheridan, Wyoming, exists Smith Alley Brewing, where two walls consist mainly of glass garage doors. If garage-door architecture is good enough there, it should be good enough for Maquoketa.

If the stage were on wheels, we could roll it to any part of this building for a concert or roll it into a parking lot if it wasn’t needed. If it were a hydraulic stage, we could raise it 2 or 3 feet or lower it to floor level if not needed.

This green space is so small it will fit in Pearson Hall, O’Reilly Auto Parts Store and many farm machine sheds. It can be covered and look like a park.

Ralph Saunders

Maquoketa