Many visitors to La Festa Italiana this weekend in Scranton will be getting their first look at the "new and improved" Courthouse Square.
The annex, closest to Linden Street, is gone. Good. The annex didn't fit in with the rest of the building. There were severe maintenance issues. It was shot and had to come down.
In its place-- nothing. The county decided to re-locate offices to other buildings around the downtown. It's confusing. We'll just have to deal with it.
The designers will say there is more "green space" now than there used to be. Unfortunately, this is a case where perception obliterates reality. There are huge granite walls in front of the courthouse on the North Washington Avenue side. The walls are a tribute to veterans, and I'm all for that. I can't stress that enough. Honoring veterans is good.
On the other hand, the walls are too big. They're the wrong color, and they kill the flow of the square. The words "inappropriate for the site" come to mind. It's the great wall of granite on the sides and a sea of concrete below. For a little more perspective, click on yesterday's blog photo.
There is another mass of masonry over on the Spruce Street side. It's just too much.
The project is not complete, and I'm keeping an open mind. I'll be back for another look when it's done.
