This story aired yesterday on WCHS Radio.

There was no shortage of ideas on how to redesign Slack Plaza during a public meeting at the Charleston Civic Center Monday.

The Charleston Area Alliance held a forum where residents were encouraged to give their opinions on plans for the plaza.

Last year, the federal Environmental Protection Agency chose Charleston as one of five capital cities nationwide to be a part of the ‘Greening America’s Capitals’ program.

That program includes a grant to pay for the design portion of the project.  The EPA chose Pittsburgh-based Origin4Design to design the project, with help from the West Virginia University School of Community Design.

On Monday, those planners presented plans to that included adding green space, improving bicycle paths, building kiosks for bus stops, and creating a walkway from Capitol Street to the Charleston Town Center Mall.

WVU Professor of Landscape and Architecture Kathryn Wittner is on the team of designers for the project.  She says the most important thing to consider is feedback from residents.

“What we want is information,” Wittner said. “The best thing we can do is talk to the people who live here and try to understand the best we can what they want from Slack Plaza and what they want from the surrounding area.”

The area has been associated with crime and considered unappealing, Wittner said.  She says changing that image will take work, but it can be done.

Wittner also says the plaza is an example of the kind of project that can revitalize urban areas around the country.

“The bigger picture is actually making this country greener, and healthier and stronger,” Wittner said.  “The smaller picture is actually developing this plaza and creating a space that people can use on a daily basis.”

On Tuesday, designers will draw up plans all day at City Hall.  Wittner says they will present whatever they come up with on Wednesday.

“We’ll probably come up with a lot of overall designs, and look at a lot of detail,” Wittner said.  “On Wednesday morning, we’ll present all of our work.  And then we’ll go back and come up with a report that will probably come out at the beginning of summer sometime.”

If plans are finalized, the city will have to come up with the money for construction.  The EPA grants pays only for the design portion of the project.