Two For Ten

One of the most important concepts shared at the recent Project for Public Spaces workshop was the concept called "The Power of Ten"--the idea that if downtown Tacoma had ten places that were fully "activated" then the area would have critical mass, "a series of destinations where tourists and residents alike could become immersed in the city for days at a time".

It's probably obvious that Pacific Plaza (or Tollefson Plaza, as Mayor Baarsma may have us calling it) should be one of our ten great downtown places. But what are the other nine? We're going to suggest one more today and one each Friday for the next eight weeks, and we encourage your comments for or against each suggestion (or suggest some place we don't)...

First, here are some criteria for selecting the ten great spaces. In evaluating thousands of public spaces around the world, PPS has found that successful ones have four key qualities:

1. They are accessible;
2. People are engaged in activities there;
3. The space is comfortable and has a good image;
4. It is a sociable place--one where people meet each other and take people when they come to visit.

PPS has also assembled some great examples from around the world of successful public spaces that illustrate these criteria in action.

Now, here's our suggestion for the second great space downtown: Theater Square. First created in the 1980s to cover the downtown bus turnaround, this public space is a mecca for key public gatherings and hosts the Broadway Farmers Market every Thursday during the warmer months.