wha huh?? Government actually works?!?!?

Below follows a copy of what I recieved back from the Mayor's Office.

12/8/05
Dear Mr. Maxt

Thank you for bringing the condition of the park to the Mayor's attention. I will be sure that she sees your message. Meanwhile, I will transfer this to our Parks Department for their review and response. I will also ask that they copy our office on any correspondence so the Mayor is assured your concerns are being addressed.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance.


Michele Phillips,
Mayor's Office



***** Original Message *****
Service Type: Mayor's Office
Subject: Nationsbank Plaza Park - Why???
Message: Please tell me why the city has allowed NationsBank Plaza Park (aka Kiley Park) to deteriorate so badly?? I don't know if you've been down there recently, but there is human waste and its associated refuse in the hallway from the river to the ampitheater, stones tossed about in the park, trees that need trimming, dirt where grass used to be, the roof of the hallway out to the river is rusting through, there is grafitti (although it is a bit on the witty side) and people sleeping there at all times of the day.

This park is a work of art, and the fact that it is in such a sad state next to the Art museum is a disgrace. The designer of the park, Dan Kiley, is the ONLY person to have a piece of modern landscape on the list of Historical Places. He is an amazing designer, and this park which took years to be completed should NOT be lost simply due to negligence on the city's part, nor for the more scandolous (and rumourous) reason, that the Museum and Nationsbank want to expand onto the property.

So please take a walk out of your office over a couple blocks to the park. Smell the sour smells, view the dishevled stones, and watch the dying shrubs catch your eye as the glint of Steel Reserve and Milwuakee's Best reflet the sun back at you. Do not let this AIA Award winning modern work of art and peace in an increasingly busy, residential and congested downtown fall into more ruin.

I had no idea they had a memorial to the people involved in the project for the park and area around it. That makes it even more sad that the city let the park get out of control like it did. I would add my pictures to the gallery if I could. haha

The canned response you got from them just made me sick. How sad that this great park has been left to rot.