Greene Square plans ignore public desires

Regarding the April 22 article, 'Greene Square renovation set to begin in September”:

It would be nice to have a well-maintained lawn with nicely groomed grass, and you could sandblast the existing concrete walls that are far from worn out. The diagonal walkway doesn't need to be arched, either.

Now, if the special committee consisting of members of the boards of the library and art museum think that spending money on this grossly overpriced project is worthwhile, then they should stick to getting funding from the ones that probably have the most to gain, such as Ryan Companies US, OPN Architects, Zinzer and the Metro Economic Alliance supporters. It appears that special-interests groups are behind this project. Donated work to date could mean they will get a big payday in the end ... .

I have never met a kid from anywhere, including Waypoint or the library or the YMCA, who wouldn't be very happy with a nice playground and open space. They surely wouldn't be upset if they missed out on a public-paid $250,0000 sculpture.

This whole project is for a few people who want to impose their out-of-reality thinking, not for the 95 percent of the people of Cedar Rapids. These people need to dream big on their own $1.95 million.

Mike Simmons

Cedar Rapids