Move PCI mall’s ‘main’ level up to spare road

Much has been written about Physicians' Clinic of Iowa's proposed medical mall project, and its Second Avenue closure add-on.

The argument that closing a portion of Second Avenue is critical to facilitating safe patient circulation, by avoiding their need to navigate street traffic, is only true if the “main street” of the mall is located on ground level. And how is patient circulation from the adjacent 450-car parking facility to be accommodated?

Let me suggest an alternative concept option: Locate parking facilities on both sides of Second Avenue, with vertical circulation elements to the second level on both sides, making the need to cross Second Avenue a moot point. Move the ground-level components to level two, making that the main street of the mall. Forget the skywalks and replace same with the same ground-level square footage over Second Avenue. If the true motive for closing Second Avenue is patient safety and convenience, then do it right!

Additional pluses for such a concept would be the obvious avoidance of reworking the street system, and relocation of underground utilities.

There really isn't a compelling reason to close a portion of Second Avenue for this project.

Tom Kopecky

Cedar Rapids