As a common stomping ground for many Madison residents, Lisa Link Peace Park, located at 400 State St., is on track to receive an impressive renovation in the near future.
Madison's Urban Design Commission held its second informational meeting last Wednesday to continue to finalize designs for the park.
According to project manager Mike Sturm, collaboration has been key to making final decisions. Architects have collaborated with Madison's Central Business Improvement District, the Madison Police Department and the Parks Division to try to best serve the city's needs and to take into consideration the design commission's previous suggestions.
Minor concerns with preliminary designs motivated architects to design a space that flows off State Street, while at the same time using durable materials to prevent vandalism.
As part of the renovation, a performance and large block seating area, combined with an interactive fountain space, will likely be the main focus of the park.
Water jets with a single stream of water, combined with fountain bench seating, will give a sense of entry on State Street without being excessively harsh, according to Sturm.
Also in the plans is a public visitor center, which could possibly have a stone and brick facade, while a garden pavilion located in the back will face the park.
However, Ald. Marsha Rummel, District 6, emphasized the need for the visitor center to keep in line with the existing structures already on State Street.
It doesn't really say State Street, it says a big park on the lake,"" she said of the preliminary design. ""It doesn't read right for me. This is a public building.""
Carter Arndt, a leading architect with the project, said the intent of the visitor center is to signify something different.
""It's to be a gateway to a public park and add to the quality of urban fabric,"" he said. ""It marks that transition ... the intentional decision to be different.""
Rummel and other members of the design commission stressed the desire for a public space that would come together and be representative of Lisa Link as a former activist.
The city will not specifically be pursuing an environmentally efficient design for the renovation.
