JZ71 says:

Yesterday, you said that this “post will be about design issues with the current area around the Soldier’s Memorial along with some possible solutions.” The only thing I’m seeing is “no curbs” (which I agree makes sense). I guess that I was just expecting more.

Balancing special events and transit access, especially in urban areas, is tricky. Many events want or need to close the same streets that provide the better transit access that is not available in many suburban options/venues. One example would be Verizon Wireless Amphitheater – it has already addressed many of the “issues” that you’ve identified – “power distribution, lighting, sound, sanitation, etc.” – plus it has abundant parking that can also accommodate things like food trucks. What it lacks is any sort of public transit access, along with trees and any sort of urban vibe.

Life is full of trade offs. With buses, Metro has the ability to reroute around special events, while Metrolink is physically separated from the urban street environment. The city controls the streets and can limit / direct / veto where any event goes. It’s all about compromise. And, in my mind, “special” events become less special if they’re all confined to predetermined “event areas”. We need to balance the needs of day-to-day living with all things that are “special”, to however large or small a group that might be (and by defining “event areas”, you also, by default, remove them from daily use). Life is messy – enjoy it and its imperfections!