The new concept designs for St James Park are beautiful, but there’s no money to implement these proposals. The city council voted to channel 100 percent of all park fees from new downtown housing to St. James Park, and it still won’t cover the renovation (I voted against this).

Instead, I would like to see the city outsource park maintenance to a private company (at one third of current cost) and use the savings to pay for law enforcement in and around the park.

No matter how much money is invested in any park the world over, it will not be utilized and enjoyed if criminal activity and deviant behavior remains. I say this as someone who has visited many parks in 46 different countries.  I love parks, but funding the St. James renovation will require yet another tax increase, and will result in no new parks created in surrounding neighborhoods.