The Casco | 201 Federal Street | Portland

Unfortunately this is not a park. It is a plaza. I would have liked to have seen much more greenery and much less hardscape.
I think there's a good amount of greenery for such a small space. It would be difficult to get trees to thrive in that location anyway. Nothing wrong with a "plaza" in such an urban context. I'd rather have a usable and active space rather than having "trees for the sake of trees"

Want greenery? Walk 600 feet to Lincoln Park.
 
There are lots of shade-loving plants that would make the place look lush without trees. With the right planning (and planting!) it'll be great.
 
I think there's a good amount of greenery for such a small space. It would be difficult to get trees to thrive in that location anyway. Nothing wrong with a "plaza" in such an urban context. I'd rather have a usable and active space rather than having "trees for the sake of trees"

Want greenery? Walk 600 feet to Lincoln Park.
As someone who has been a landscape design professional for 40 years I can tell you that you couldn't be more wrong with your assertions.
 
As someone who has been a landscape design professional for 40 years I can tell you that you couldn't be more wrong with your assertions.
I don't see anything purely factual in his assertions that could be called "wrong". I like the plaza.
 
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Great photo and this perspective allows us to imagine how the Herald Square project would balance out the skyline to the right of City Hall if it ever materializes as proposed. Not sure what the developer is waiting for?
 
Catherine, I love the building, but... that sign is nearly impossible to read at night. I don't know if it's the lighthouse overlay or the letters being too close together or both, but... even during the day you can't make it out unless you're close and standing still. The next time my brother comes up here with his 20/15 vision I'll ask what he thinks, but for myself... even with my glasses, it's not communicating with me.
 
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One last photo that is a little closer to the tower. I love the lighthouse "beacon" design and color combination of the new sign but in my opinion it's not very visible during daytime hours. Low profile might be Redfern's goal but if the entire sign was in the darker blue shade it would definitely stand out more.

DZH22, you posted a few moments prior to me without seeing what you wrote and it just shows the we are on the same page most of the time! :)
The design is great but it should be two feet larger in size and "THE" needs to be a darker color because it is barely noticeable. I also think that the silver exterior cladding of the penthouse (which I like) is too close in color to the sign to provide enough contrast visually so maybe mount the sign above the penthouse.
 
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Catherine: it looks like progress is being made on the pocket park. Any estimate of a finish date? What's the plan for the water feature? I'm assuming it will only run in the warmer months? Will it be on a schedule? Turned off overnight, etc.?
 

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