Improvements needed to the city block containing “Twain”
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As I explained yesterday (Readers split on Richard Serra’s “Twain”) the Richard Serra sculpture “Twain” was designed for it’s location and it must be seen from the inside to appreciate it. As an appointed member of the newly formed Gateway Mall Advisory Board I see improving the appeal of this block as very important. I and the other board members need to work within, or revise, the existing master plan (PDF). So I looked to see what it said about Serra’s Twain:
“One of his earlier works, the City is fortunate to have one of his often ‘misunderstood’ sculpture. Once the improvements to the two eastern blocks of the garden have been made, the space surrounding Twain should be revisited to see how it could better integrate into the redesigned blocks to the east and west.”
No real specifics except the clear understanding that the sculpture is to stay put. One of the best ways to integrate this block is the “hallway” element that is supposed to run the entire length of the Gateway Mall.
Once the hallway is greater than two blocks long it will be a strong organizing element. You can hopefully imagine how extending the above one more block west will help Twain:
The current sidewalk between 10th and 11th is nothing like the one from 8th to 10th. One of the best aspects of this hallway idea is how it will flow from block to block.
At 9th street the design guidelines from the master plan are actualized. Rain gardens help narrow 9th street and the sidewalk continues across the street easily. Those of us using wheelchairs as well as those pushing a stroller can just continue in the same direction. Unfortunately the same treatment was not done at both 8th and 10th. This mistake means part of the new Citygarden will need to be redone to extend the hallway in both directions.
As you can see the 10th Street edge of the hallway in Citygarden is quite different than at 9th. Had someone looked ahead they would have built the paving and curb here to the new standard so that all that needed to be done was the other side of 10th. Ditto for 8th Street. I intend to ensure as blocks are redone consideration is given to extending the hallway as adjacent blocks are rebuilt.
OK, so the “hallway” takes care of one side of the block. The other three need new wider sidewalks as well. I had originally thought we needed some porous gravel paths leading to Twain but Serra wanted it to be approachable from any angle.  However the ground is currently uneven in places and my power wheelchair got stuck a few times. Anyone in a manual wheelchair would be out of luck. Even the wheels on a stroller are likely to get muddy. I suggest special pavers that allow grass to grow through openings in places in and around the piece. This would ensure a level surface while maintaining the all grass appearance.
Over and over I’ve heard people say the homeless and drunk baseball fans use the interior of the “Twain” sculpture as a giant steel urinal. With so much activity in Citygarden to the aast I don’t think that is still the case. Plus portable toilets are now available across the street at Citygarden.
Stunning Citygarden with portable toilets on the sidewalk, classy. So my grand idea is to include a low-maintenance pay toilet on the SE corner of the Twain block, accessible from the hallway.  New York City recently added it’s first pay toilet:
The “Pay-Per-Potty” — as some cleverly call it — is purported to be automatically self cleaning. It even does the floors and is touted as more sanitary than regular public toilets.
Inside the unit, a sit-down, so to speak, will cost you a quarter.
The quarter will get you get 15 minutes of private time — and not a second more.
“The doors open and the eyes of New York are upon you,” said Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan.
Just in case you don’t know how much time you have left, a handy-dandy warning light will give you a three-minute warning. (Full story)
Here are some short videos of pay toilets:
New York:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu8DJFH1Ubw
San Francisco:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TvK94inAKU
New Zealand:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpKZmKizO9s
The Gateway Mall Master Plan calls for public restrooms along the length but not in the three blocks between Gateway One (7th to 8th) the Civil Courts (11th-12th/Tucker), just where they are needed most. The pay public toilet I envision might be covered in stainless steel, some other metal or even growing plants.
– Steve Patterson
